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Question:
#1171
6/28/2005
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I have Stage IV breast cancer with bone and liver mets. My oncologist has suggested three combo chemos: Taxotere and Xeloda, Taxotere and Navelbine, and Navelbine and Xeloda. The oncologist stated that I would have a good response with any of the three choices and to just pick one. Can you please advise me on how to make this decision and any research available on the effectiveness of these combinations.
Thank you! |
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there is no magic formula unfortunately. if there was then the doctor would only recommend one option. so go with your gut. we hope you live a long time in harmony with this disease. |
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Question:
#1172
6/28/2005
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Thank you for answering my question #4 on 6/27/05. I didn't make myself very clear. What I meant to ask was do you know which of these drugs might have caused radiation recall: Avastin, Taxotere, or Navelbine?
Also, can you comment on the effectiveness of Avastin for treating metastatic breast cancer? I've read about it with colon or lung cancer, but not breast. |
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I don't have personal experience with Avastin to be able to comment on that drug. I also haven't seen radiation recall happen related to any of these meds. |
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Question:
#1173
6/27/2005
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In September of 2000 I was diagnosed (at the age of 29) with Stage 3 breast cancer 2/7 Lymph Nodes were positive.(Estrogen positive) I had a mastectomy and then a 6 month course of chemotherapy -
( This included IV medication of Epirubicin and 5 – Fluorouracil. I also took the Following medication: Cyclophosphamide25mg, Sulfameth/Trimeth 400/80,Dexamenthasone 4mg, Ondansetron 8mg,
Metoclopradmide 10mg, and Indomethacin 25mg.
I also had 30 days of radiation and then took tamoxifen for 3 years - stopped in June of 2004 as I wanted to try to have a baby - was supposed to take tamoxifen for 5 years although the doctors told me there were no studies indicating that 5 years was any better than 3 years.
In September of 2002, I had my other breast removed (for preventative measures) and had the tram-flap reconstruction surgery.
During a touch-up surgery in November of 2004, my doctor did a pre-surgery chest x-ray where they noticed something on my lung. This resulted in a CAT Scan which revealed that my lungs were fine, but there were a few tumors on my liver. I had a liver biopsy and was told the cancer had spread to my liver.
After the biopsy, I had pain in my ribcage and in my shoulder in back, I was nauseated, my urine turned a dark colour and I turned jaundice - I had no pain or symptoms before the biopsy. My bilirubin was over 200.
In December of 2004 I started Taxotere and Herceptin - I had a CAT Scan - the tumours (one that is 7 cm) did not shrink, but my liver function returned to normal (from 200 down to 11) the person who read the CAT Scan thought the tumours could be hemangiomas. I had another CAT Scan at the end of my chemo and a different person read the scans and thought that the tumors were hemangiomas too.
My oncologist says that the biopsy results stated that I did have cancer, however, I read the biopsy results and saw that they didn't get enough tissue to do marker studies or even prove that the cancer had come from the breast.
I feel 100% now and will have to take herceptin for the rest of my life.
Could it be possible that the cancer didn't spread? Could I have turned jaundice after a liver biopsy of a collection of blood cells (hemangioma)?
My husband recently golfed with a doctor who reads CAT scans (he is in his 50's so he was been doing it for many years) and he said that he has never seen a person with a 7 cm cancerous tumour rebound (my husband was told in December that I had about 18 months to live).
Any thoughts??
Thanks!!
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it would be one for the medical books but let's face it, miracles do happen; just not often enough! sounds like you have had the good fortune of responding well to chemo and herceptin. don't try to "figure it out". just take it as a blessing. |
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Question:
#1174
6/27/2005
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I was diagnosed in 1999, at age 43, with stage IV breast cancer. The first sign of any problem was a swollen area at the base of my neck above the collarbone. This turned out to be the result of two or three supraclavicular lymph nodes that were bursting at the seams with breast cancer cells. There was no axillary lymph node involvement and the tumor in the left breast was estimated to be not larger than 2cm. Since the initial lymph node biopsy, my treatment has included the following: AC x4 -> Taxol x4, lumpectomy, radiation, Tamoxifen, Taxotere and Xeloda x3 (after 2004 recurrence in mediastinal lymph nodes), Arimidex/Femara, Faslodex, Taxotere and Xeloda x6 (have currently completed 4/6 that were started after 2nd recurrence to mediastinal nodes in Jan. 2005). I've been looking for cases similar to mine without success.
QUESTIONS: Does the 'contaminated' lymph circulate through the entire body or is there a regional path it follows? How is it cleansed or eliminated from the body or is it? And on another issue, the second chemo tx I received (AC) was dumped into my pleural cavity due to a port-a-cath misadventure. Have you ever heard of this happening? If so, what did you hear:)?
Thanks for the time you put into this site. It is greatly appreciated. |
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the lymph nodes can carry it any pathway it chooses since there are thousands of nodes in our bodies. no one pathway from the nodes to other organs. chemo and hormonal therapy are designed to kill and stunt the growth of these cells that have traveled. haven't heard of the pleural cavity problem before. take care... |
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Question:
#1175
6/27/2005
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I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer last year; 1 micro metastasis in node. During the last year i have had progressive problems with painful - on weightbearing - right hip. Left hip is now also painful, with pain in anterior thigh. I now need to use a stick. First bone scan normal; second bone scan showed hot spot right acetabulum. 2 MRIs have not been diagnostic; attepted bone biopsy was unsuccessful; alkaline phosphatase levels normal. BUT I really am having trouble walking ; seeing orthopaedic surgeon July. Am taking arimidex as 'insurance'. Any thoughts please as I find the situation becoming really difficult |
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bone pain is a common complaint for women in hormonal therapy. talk with your oncologist more about this too. |
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Question:
#1176
6/27/2005
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Fraternal twin sister(43)diagnosed Aug. 2004 with Stage 3 IDC (ER+,PR+,HER-). Chemo, then lumpectomy Jan. 2005. Started radiation in March 2005. During chemo and radiation consistently complained of pain in pec muscle near tumor site. After 10 rad. treatments finally did an ultrasound - two tumors (2,3 cms.) Radical mastectomy immediately and finished radiation in May. Bone scan, CT, and MRI's found scattered small long nodules and lesions on T-spine, pelvis and femur. Started chemo again, but after one session has radiation recall, so on hold. My question: do you know which drug may have caused this?
She is on Arimidex, Navelbine, Avastin, & Taxotere.
Also, the oncs. are saying that she is chemo resistant because the 2 tumors are considered recurrent cancer, but is it possible that these tumors were there all along and grew after she stopped the chemo? (The primary tumor shrunk from 5+ cm to 2cm)with chemo.
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chemo drgus wouldn't have "caused" these tumors to grow. might they have been there all along? possible but the best way to know is looking at the tumor growth rate and also looking at previous scans. and more importantly, if they grew since then they are chemo resistant, having grown from a few cells to billions of cells while on chemo. |
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Question:
#1177
6/26/2005
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My sister has metastatic breast cancer with mets to liver. If her original tumor wasn't HER2 positive, is it possible that the cancer in her liver could be? Liver tumors were growing at same rate as chest wall tumors....now suddenly liver is getting worse and chest is getting better. Doctor doesn't understand why and mentioned herceptin. Curious to know if herceptin is an option. Thanks. |
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the cancer that exists in other organs that spread from the breast would have the same pathology make up as the original. |
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Question:
#1178
6/23/2005
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My mother 3 is going into her 3rd year of being diagnoised with Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of the hip. She now has shoulder pain and is on methadone to help with pain management. My question is where does this disease spread to? She has spots in her lungs and on her ribs. I want to know what to expect from this disease. |
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if you are referring to breast cancer spreading to her bones involving her hip joint that this IS where it has spread. breast cancer can also go to other bones as well as the liver and lungs. |
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Question:
#1179
6/23/2005
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Although I am pleased with my oncologist at DFCI, but I am curious...3/99 I was diagnosed with BC had immediate mastectomy 9 nodes positive. Chemo included AC and Taxol followed by 40 radiation sessions. We thought I was cancer free and I started Tamoxofin. One visit the lab goofed and did a CA 27-29 which was in the 300's...bone scan revealed bone mets, but THANK GOD ct's, pet's and mri's didn't show anything else. I've been taking XELODA 3000mg, monthly infusions of Zometa and Faslodex injections. All of this has kept me "stable", but not cured or any better. Any ideas? Thank you |
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the mission is stability. we usually don't use the word "cure" when dealing with metastatic disease. the purpose now is to keep the disease in control so your body lives in harmony with it. sounds like that is being accomplished. |
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Question:
#1180
6/23/2005
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My mom is 68 years old. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2003. Lumpectomy and radiation was all she had...no node involvement.
She was recently diagnosed with bone mets (Stage IV) in the clavicle, ribs and pelvis and was in horrible pain. An MRI found a tumor on her spine and she ended up having back surgery with partial tumor removal and bone grafts with two rods and 6 screws at T1-4. She has another tumor at T8. The biopsy on the tumor that they removed is rhe same as the breast cancer she had before. They put her on Megace in the meantime to hopefully help shrink the tumors because until she is healed from the back surgery they won't start IV chemo or radiation. That will probably set her back 2 months or more on those treatments.
How much is this going to affect how the treatments will help her. Will it not do as much now? Her regular doctor in Florida treated her pain for 4-5 months with pain meds and did nothing as far as a bone scan, etc. She was frustrated with getting no answers to why she was in pain and finally she came back to Michigan to see her doctor here. He ordered an immediate scan and found the lesions. I'm sure that the time in Florida not being on chemo/radiation didn't help either. So, that put her behind on treatments as well and it was right after the bone scan that they found the tumor on her spine.
What can you tell me about this situation? Any idea how much time she has? Thank you for your time. |
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she is now battling stage IV breast cancer--metastatic disease. the mission is to try to get it into control so she can live in harmony with it for a long as possible. her situation is serious and worrisome. ask the doctor to be frank and honest with you and her regarding her prognosis and what to expect. |
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Question:
#1181
6/23/2005
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God bless you for this service!
My 45 yr old aunt had a mastectomy in Nov 99 and was on tamox...now (Jun 22, 05) a tumour in the liver has a patho report- `metastatic adenocarcinoma cells seen consistent with a known primary in the breast'.
If she goes in for treatment, how long does she realistically have? Should she consider only palliative?
I'm planning to visit her in Nov...will it be too late?
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if the liver mets is one single mass, referred to as one foci, she may be a candidate for laser ablation of it. so have her ask. since the tumor was hormone receptor positive they may try some other hormonal therapies to see if the tumor will shrink. the mission is to get it into control so her body lives in harmony with it. we wish her well. |
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Question:
#1182
6/22/2005
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Are you in agreement with the theory that the significance of disease in the lymph node is important because it proves that the isolated cancer cells have established a site apart from the primary breast tumor and proliferated? I read this opinion on the internet. The person felt that cancer cells do not first go to the lymph node and then leave from there. They wrote that isolated cells pass through the lympth channels and blood vessels constantly, but if the cells are not capable of establishing a site to grow that they are harmless free floating cells that will never pose a threat. If you agree with the theory that cells that can set up shop in the lymph node and grow apart from the primary tumor means that you might have other cells circulating in your bloodstream that could have the ability to form another metastasis somewhere else in the body and cause a regional recurrence. If this is true, then does the size of the metastisis in the lymph node really matter or does it signifiy a threatening type of cell capable of wreaking havoc later on . I am asking this because of the ability to detect micromets in the lymph nodes now. If this is the case, then the statement that no micromet in the lymph node is to be regarded as harmless is true. I am not talking about isolated cells that are just passing through, but to micromets that are established in the lymph node. I know there is a lot of controversy surrounding micromets and deciding if the person really is node positive and would therefore benefit from chemotherapy. Thank you for your time and interest. |
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I can't comment on this theory. However it is concerning whenever cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes. the concern increases when there is a lot of disease found. the issue being that there is increased risk of disease having spread elsewhere. There are certainly patients however you have negative lymph nodes, no evidence of micromets in the nodes or even lymphatic or vascular invasion in the tumor and yet they develop stage IV breast cancer and subsequently die of the disease. there is still a lot more we need to learn about how this disease spreads, when, how and why. research is underway to better understand these processes recognizing that if we were able to limit the cancer to growing only in the breast, there would not be a mortality problem anymore. |
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Question:
#1183
6/22/2005
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My mom is currently in hospital battling breast cancer. She has been told that it has spread to the spinal column. She is to undergo an MRI today to confirm same. I am concerned because she is now incontinent and unable to bear weight on her legs. Further, she is on a feeding tube, as the tumor is in her gullet and compromises both her breathing and swallowing, and as of yesterday, she has had a trach put in place to help her breath. My question has to do with palliative care. When does a patient warrant palliative care? Our hospital feels my mom should go home however, we are not in a position to care for her nor does my mom want to go home. How do we go about getting her "in hospital" care? Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I can only assume that her time is limited and I really want her to get the best care and above all else, be comfortable and pain free. Thank you! |
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ask to see a social worker today. you and she do need help in getting her into a facility that will provide her around the clock care... hospice care. glad she has you for support too. |
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Question:
#1184
6/21/2005
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In 10/2000, my mom (55 year old) had breast cancer IIB in China(Invasive Ductal PT2 N1 N0 ,ER-,PR-, HER2+++)(1 out of 15 lymph nodes positive). Here is her treatment:
1. 1/2001 - chemo 6 cycles CMF.
2. Tumor in bone and lung on 11/02. 11/28/2002 to 5/22/2003 taxol and herceptine for 7 cycles. Great result, her lungs were clear, the tumor on her chest bone shrunk, but no money to continue the treatment.
3. 11/2003 4 cycles for Xeloda Because CT results showed two tumors in liver, and then stopped taking Xeloda.
4. 3/2004 to 7/2004: Epirubicin 120mg and Taxotere 120mg. 21 days for one cycle, took 4 cycles.
5.7/2004 to 9/2004 Taxotere 120mg, 21 days a cycle. 4 cycles.
10/05, CT scan result showed the two tumors were 3.6cm and 1.1cm. (The original ones were 5.6cm and 3.3 cm).
6.11/2004 to 1/2005 Taxotere 32mg (weekly, through arterial, not vein, directly to liver, took 6 infusions), then she came to US.
7. 2/2005 CT scan: 3 tumors still in liver (0.6cm,0.7cm, the big one is around 1.4cm) 4/2005 to 6/21/05 3 cycle Taxotere( 3 - weekly, then stop 1 week)+Herceptin (weekly). Now, her CT scan on 6/15 shows multiple lesions (maybe 6 or 7, around 4mm) in liver, but the original 3 tumors are the same size. We are not sure if Taxotere/herception works for her. Since she stopped the chemo over 3 months (1/15/05 - 4/5/05), we are not sure when those small lesions came from, they could grow between 2/05 and 4/05 before she started the chemo. The Dr. said he would continue the chemo for two months, and then order the CT scan. Depending on the result, we may continue or change to another chemo. My mom can eat/sleep well; the only thing is the pain in her leg since there is a tumor in her hip bone. We can not do biopsy for the liver tumor. Do we need to switch the chemo right now or just wait and see? I really hate to see her waste two month time if this chemo does not work. Is it a good idea to switch to herceptin and navelbine now? Does she still have a chance to survive? Thanks for your time.
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follow the doctor's advice. he is doing what he feels is medically appropriate and has a plan that is logical. it is very hard on loved ones to watch their mom go through this as well as facing unknown situations. the doctor will reassess her with scans at intervals that are appropriate to see if the medicine is helping. as you no doubt know her situation is very concerning. spend time with her as i'm sure you are doing. |
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Question:
#1185
6/21/2005
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My mother, at 54, had breast cancer in 2000. Left mastectomy, with 11 lymph nodes positive for cancer. She received chemo and radiation for several months with good results. Cancer returned late 2004 - spots in back, lung and kidney. She took two treatments of doxil then two treatments of taxol, scans 3 weeks ago showed growth in all areas. The past few weeks her memory has failed and she has been confused. Today she barely responds to yes/no questions. She is on oxycodone for pain. Brain scan shows nothing. What is the cause for such a mental meltdown? |
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don't know. ask the doctor if the pain medicine is contributing to it. if you see her deteriorating as you are describing you need to make her doctor aware. |
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Question:
#1186
6/21/2005
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I have metastatic breast cancer to neck lymph nodes, nodes on oppoisite side underarm nodes and a spot on my hip bone with a possible site in my spleen. (can't confirm spleen for sure because pet scan is neg and ct scan is positive) I am currently on xeloda and it appears to be working because the large lump under my right arm is gone after 3 treatments. My doctor is telling my I have a 50% chance of living 2 years, maybe less if the spleen proves to be positive. does this sound about right (i know everyone is different) but I trying to decide if I start taking disability at work and start doing the things I've always wanted to do now while I still feel fairly good... what would you recommend. thanks for this wonderful site |
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Life is truly unpredictable. As your disease progresses at some point you will not be able to do the things right now you have on your list to accomplish and enjoy. so it makes sense to consider "doing them now" rather than waiting. take care... we hope you have quality of life and make the most of each moment. its unfortunate that sometimes it takes fate showing us our mortality status to make decisions about valuing and utilizing each moment. |
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Question:
#1187
6/20/2005
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my mother has been diagnosed with idc stage 2 in 2003,4 months ago she suffered acute back pain which disappeared after a short period of nsaid intake(one week)the bone scan showed a single positive spot of lumbar spine,the MRI was suspicious with low T1 signal,positive contrast near the intervertebral disc without pedical extension or soft tissue mass, the doctors said a negative biopsy means nothing and is not an easy procedure,so she had a pet scan which was negative .recently she repeated the bone scan which came negative with the disappearence of the previous spot,,STILL WITH NO CLINICAL OR ABNORMAL LABS FINDINGS INCLUDING HER CA15-3.WOULD that definitely exclude the mets(SHE TOOK 2 PILLS OF ACTONEL FOR SPINAL OSTEOPOROSIS THEN STOPPED TO TAKE IT FOR SEVERE MUSCLE AND JOIN PAIN 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE LAST BONE SCAN) ,NO CLINICAL OR ABNORMAL LABS FINDINGS INCLUDING HER CA15-3,OR should she repeat the MRI.SHE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF ANXIETY BETWEEN EACH TEST BUT WE DONT WANT TO BE RELIEVED TOO EARLY.THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE |
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not test is perfect-- blood test or scans. it becomes a judgement call of the doctor reading the results as to what they think this is. that's really the bottom line. whether the doctor thinks it is mets or not. ask her case to be presented at their tumor board for group discussion by several physicians. |
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Question:
#1188
6/20/2005
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2004 (1 cm) I had a mastectomy and sentinal nodes were negative)... then I had a "routine" bone scan that showed a tumor the size of a "ping-Pong ball" on my pelvic bone. Biopsy was done and looked "good" BUT,,, they did three path tests all negative and thenthe last slide came back positive for Cancer...HOWEVER, the cancer cells from the breast cancer core biopsy and the bone biopsy do not match ! I have had MRI, CT Scan and a PET scan. All those show no cancer. I am a wreck. Does this mean I am terminal? My Onc will not answer that question. I am stage IV he said. I had 26 sessions of radiation on the Pelvic Bone and I am on Arimidex... I just had another bone scan and it showed no new spots and some shrinkage of the original spot. I do not understand...can/does anyone live with mets unknown primary? |
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if the type of cancer is still breast cancer found in the bone but a different type with different prognostic factors not matching to the original then they will probably check your other breast to see if they can find the primary. if the type of cancer in the bone is not breast cancer but some other type of cancer then they will treat it based on the type that it is. women have been known to live a long life with bone mets that can be gotten into control with treatment-- radiation, hormonal therapy sometimes, chemo sometimes. don't give up on this. the mission is for your body to live in harmony with it and get it to become dormant. |
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Question:
#1189
6/19/2005
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My mum aged 63 had recently been diagnosed with secondary cancer of the spine following an MMR and that her vertabrea had partially collapsed. She is currently undergoing tests to determin the primary site which could be breast cancer. However just when they were going to start radiotherapy they said they wanted to double check and do a biopsey. They made this decision after discussing my mums earlier diagnosis of osteporosis and that there was an abcense of soft tissue. I understand that MRI scans are quite accurate in destiguishing metastasis from other possible causes. However can mistakes sometimes be made? |
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biopsy provides the definitive answer but talented eyes of a radiologist can usually distinguish mets from bone detereoration associated with aging process. |
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Question:
#1190
6/19/2005
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What is the better combination chemo drugs regardless of side effects, taxatere and xeloda or taxol and gemzar? Are there studies that compare these combinations? |
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check with 1-800-4-CANCER for information about results of possible clinical trials. |
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Question:
#1191
6/19/2005
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What is the FDA approved first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer? |
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there are a variety of treatment options for mets and it also is based on other prognostic factors of the original tumor. not just one drug. one treatment. |
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Question:
#1192
6/19/2005
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Hi:
I was wondering if you have any experience with what causes fluid retention (leg and feet swelling) and feet that have turned red? My sister has been on Gemzar for mets breast cancer and has tolerated it pretty well since Jan 05. About 3 weeks ago she got pretty bloated in her ankles and feet. They did some xrays and an ultra sound to rule out cancer progression or an obstruction so they think it's a reaction to the chemo. They put her on a diuretic and it's been working but very slowly. So this week after her chemo treatement they switched her to heavier duty diuretic and 3 days letter her feet are pretty red. This morning the rednesss moved up to above the ankles. The bloating is a little better though. The oncologist is having her do a test to rule out a blood clot but if it's not a blood clot what else could it be? Any suggestions on other tests she should take or how to treat it? Thanks for your help.
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fluid retention is a known problem for women battling mets, and is caused by the body retaining fluid in response to fighting the disease. the body tries to absorb the fluid but simply can't. elevation helps some. sorry she is fighting with so much... |
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Question:
#1193
6/19/2005
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My sister found out a little more than a year ago that she had mets to her liver, chest wall, and spots on bones. It has been kept under control until now. Suddenly her liver is going haywire. There is no progression anywhere else. The doctor is thinking that maybe there is a possibility that she is HER2 positive in her liver. She also has ascites. She stopped taking xeloda today because she had mouth sores. She'll start again in a week. If the xeloda doesn't work, she could only have 2-3 weeks. My question is, if they can't biopsy her liver, would there be any harm at this point to try herceptin, even if we don't know if she's HER2 positive? Also, is ascites fatal? They think it's more swelling of the liver than fluid at this point. Pockets of fluid are small and can't be drained. Biggest one is behind her bladder, and they said they can't get to it.
Thank you for your time. |
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you are describing someone with advanced end stage disease. her original tumor would be what would be tested to see if she were her2neu positive or not, however, it sounds based on your deion that things are too far out of control to consider doing aggressive treatment. spend time with her... know her wishes. |
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Question:
#1194
6/17/2005
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Sir: Can Breast Cancer metastasize to the bone in the heel of your foot? Thank you.
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that would be an unusual spot to find it. very unusual. |
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Question:
#1195
6/17/2005
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Others have already asked how bone mets feels. I ended chemo two months ago. My legs ache from time to time. The pain comes and goes and is sometimes in one leg and at other times the opposite leg. My legs used to ache like this when I was on my period. Is it normal to have bone/leg pains for months after chemo? It feels very much like the aches I felt on Taxotere/Neulasta. |
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this is a common complaint. yes. |
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Question:
#1196
6/17/2005
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My friend had a mastectomy nearly two years ago, followed by max chemo and radiation. She's seen her oncologist for follow-up on a regular basis, and each time has been told that blood tests indicate she was still "cancer free." For at least the past six months, though, she has been telling the onc at visits, and calling his office, to report serious back and leg pain. She reported this pain to him on at least five occasions. He said it was probably a side effect of radiation, or of her medication(not tamoxifen, the other one), and he prescribed pain killers. Then he renewed that preion. Finally a scan was done, and the results were reported yesterday. She has mets, naturally. Four on her spine. Shouldn't she have had a scan sooner, especially in light of the fact that she was very clear about being in persistent pain? And what chance is there that a scan, even three months ago, would have either found these mets when they were fewer in number and/or increased her chances to get these mets under control? |
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scans are no longer routinely done but usually are requested when someone reports new chronic symptoms. blood tests are very imperfect for determining mets. |
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Question:
#1197
6/15/2005
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My sisters was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer 5 1/2 years ago. She had masectomy, chemo and the experimental cancer vacination. She recently had a bone scan and they found a hot spot on her shoulder. Her doctor is out of town for a week. All blood work in normal. There are no tumor markers and her calcum is normal. She has no pain. I read that this may be considered stage I metastatic breast cancer and with a bone resection she could be cured. Do you have any information on the life expectancy of someone with Stage I breast metastatic to the bone after treatment? Is there another treatment other than resection for a small lesion? What are the chances that even with the resection or treatment, it could show up somewhere else in the bones? Thank you. |
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"stage 1" and "metastatic disease to the bone" can't be put together-- mets to the bone is stage 4 breast cancer. cutting bone out is usually not recommended as the treatment. first it needs to be confirmed it IS mets. then treatment can be planned-- radiation, chemo, hormonal therapy-- lots to discuss and consider by her oncologist. but first they need to confirm its mets. |
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Question:
#1198
6/15/2005
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With a diagnosis of stage IIIB, what is the percentage of distant mets in the future? |
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www.cancer.org has survival chart information as does also www.cancerfacts.com remember however that you are not a statistic and that other factors play in here too-- prognostic factors, age, treatment done. |
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Question:
#1199
6/15/2005
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My wife is 48 yrs pre-menopausal. She had a mastectomy for an IDC, Stage 1c, 1.5cm tumor, nodes-negative, ER+ and PR+, HER2(3+), Fish positive. She is doing 6 cycles of AC and will follow with Tamoxifen. We asked about Herceptin after AC - the Doc says it is up to us to decide - his view is that Herceptin is usually suggested for hormone receptor negative and node-positive women. Any views or suggested reading? |
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take a look at www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/artemis Recent information has been published on herceptin trials. glad she is node negative and ER positive. good. |
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Question:
#1200
6/15/2005
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Q: |
My question concerns my 69 yr old Mother. 09/03 she had a biopsy and the findings are as follows. Invasive poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma (6mm). No evidence of lymphovasular invasion. Ductal carcinoma in situ , comedo type following this biopsy a mastectomy with reconstruction was performed 10/03 nodes were clear. She had 4 sessions of chemotherapy ending 02/04. 05/05 a cyst was found on the chest wall. Doctor thought it was a cyst due to no breast tissue since the mastectomy. The following is the lastest patology report. Metastatic poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma involving dermis and subcutaneous tissue, possibly primary sites including breast (favored) and lung,clinical correlation necessary, The tumor involves the inked margins.See note >
Note: Microscopic examination reveals unremarkable epidermis. Within the reticular dermis extending into the subcutaneous tissue, a pleomorphic malignant neoplasm is seen consisiting of nests of cells with abundant cytoplasm with poorly formed gland formation noted. The neoplastic nuclei have prominent nucleoli. Mitotic figures are easily found. Immunperoxidase stains for cytokeratin AE1/3 and S-100 protein were done and the tumor cells are strongly positive for cytokeratin and negative for S-100 protein consistant with epithelial origin. Mucin stain reveals focal intracytoplasmic mucin. The histologic findings are consistant with metatatic adenocarcinnoma and a breast primary is favored.
My question did the chemo not work and if not should she try it again ? She had alot of problems keeping her red blood cell count up . Or maybe radiation would be better ?
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A: |
there are some breast cancers we call "bad players" and they are hell bent about growing back. hers did... the possibility of this was 1%, but she fell into that 1% so it is 100% for her. the doctors will discuss her case probably during a tumor board conference to determine if radiation would be useful or chemo. |
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