Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Types and Stages of Breast Cancer Questions about the different types and stages of breast cancer. |
1,319 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/24/2006 | My aunt is 51 and last fall was diagonosed with multiple sclerosis. she had lesions on both her brain and spine. she's had trouble walking and speaking since then. last week she was diagnosed with pneumonia and then hospitalized due to pain in her right arm. she can't move her right arm and her neck and chest were very swollen. she was having difficulty breathing. a barrage of tests were run and cancer was discovered in her lung, her lymph nodes, her breast and her bones. could all of this be attributed to metatastic breast cancer? does she really have multiple sclerosis or are these "lesions" really cancer? we haven't been given a prognosis of time, just told that she's in advanced stage and treatment won't help. how long do you think she has to live? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 3/24/2006 | the doctors taking care of her should present her case to their breast cancer tumor board for team discussion and to answer this very good question. breast cancer can spread to the brain though usually it is found elsewhere before it shows up there and produces symptoms. a biopsy would answer the question. her situation sounds grave based on what you have written. request that hospice help. | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.