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Metastatic Breast Cancer
Questions about advanced metastatic breast cancer.
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AskedPublicly Submitted Question
1/2/2012I was dx in 2005 with stage 3 BC, 13 cm tumor, 21 of 26 lymph nodes positive, ER/PR: positive, HER negative, TNM: pT4 pN3 Mx, and I had a bone scan a couple of weeks ago because of my weird pain in my rt hip and it came back as arthritis. My question is, how common is it for a result of arthritis to really be bone mets? I have read on line of this happening. Thanks and Happy New Year.
RepliedJHU's Breast Center Reply
1/2/2012there isn't any data to answer that specific question. if was smart however to get the bone scan given history of locally advanced breast cancer and new onset of hip pain. Keep in mind however that despite a worrisome personal cancer history, you are not immuned to getting other ailments like arthritis. inquire whether the doctor will do any tumor marker blood tests too. Also, make sure new bone scan was compared to the one that should have been done in 2005. You are now entering 7 years post diagnosis. the greatest risk of recurrence for you was during the first 2 years. the next milestone then was year 6. so risk of distant recurrence is getting lower and lower. truly a blessing. we hope you have a healthy and happy new year.

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