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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Metastatic Breast Cancer Questions about advanced metastatic breast cancer. |
2,606 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/5/2012 | Hi Lily- I had DCIS 5 yrs. ago at age 36. Opted for bilateral mastectomy, SNB was negative, and had prophylactic TAH/BSO in 2007 (brca2+), no tamoxifen, chemo or radiation were recommended at the time. Had an x-ray and bone scan last week due to rib pain that's lasted several weeks and not improved with NSAIDS. There were a couple of hot spots, 2 ribs, sternum, right tibia, skull. Scheduled for a PET scan this week, and have requested appointment with oncologist @ JHHS where I was initially treated to review the findings. I'm now 43, post menopausal and unfamiliar with current treatments for recurrence and outcomes, but understand that bone mets are treated differently than mets to organs. Any insight from your end is greatly appreciated. | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 2/5/2012 | so likely a biopsy of one of this ribs with the hot spot would be needed to confirm a diagnosis. prognostic receptors would be performed on that specimen as well with the hope that the results would be ER positivty if we assume this is a bone met from breast cancer. commonly treatment for bone mets is hormonal therapy.This would be an aromatase inhibitor. So you will want to call 410-955-8964 and arrange to see one of our medical oncologists soon. make the scheduler aware you area known patient to us so they can speed this along for you too. Bring your scans/xrays. hang in there honey. let's see what our team of experts determines this to be and how best to take care of it. L | ||
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.