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!
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Metastatic Breast Cancer Questions about advanced metastatic breast cancer. |
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| 4/17/2012 | I am 34 and was diagnosed with a 3 cm IDC (Er/Pr+ and Her2+) with a negative sentinel lymph node this past summer. I have done chemo, had a double mastectomy, and am currently on Herceptin and Tamoxifen. I have been having headaches and a weird off-balance feeling, as if my head is leaning to one side. My onc. recommended a CT of the brain and sinuses, believing that it is a sinus/inner ear problem. He indicated that an ENT will want to see imaging first, given my BC history. He also recommended the CT of both because he said a negative MRI would warrant a sinus CT anyway to pursue the cause of my symptoms. This has the added bonus of being easier on me since I am claustrophobic. However, I am concerned about the radiation involved in a CT, particularly since my onc. is very certain that the symptoms are not related to cancer. What are your thoughts about doing a scan in such a situation? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 4/18/2012 | It is more important to determine the cause of these symptoms than to worry about the small amount of additional radiation you are receiving. so it makes good sense to pursue this. We hope it is merely sinus trouble/allergies! | ||
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