does brain mets show on PET/CT? If not, how is it diagnosed? Thanks.
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chainsawz Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 259 |
Nov 2, 2009 05:20 pm
chainsawz wrote:
I was told that a PET/CT did not show brain mets....it's only eyes to thighs. I had a brain MRI and that found mine. I had absolutely zero symptoms, but I do already have lung mets. I was getting a baseline scan as a requirement to join a clinical trial and there they were. I don't know if I have read of anyone having brain mets without having mets to another area first? Are you just worried or having some symptoms that are worrying you? Lisa -mets to lungs & brain.....the weakest step toward the top of the hill, toward sunrise, toward hope, is stronger than the fiercest storm.
Diagnosis: 7/21/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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lovinmomma Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,211 |
Nov 2, 2009 05:33 pm
lovinmomma wrote:
PETS are usually eyes to thighs. I had an MRI also to check out my brain!! It was clear, a good baseline. Kimberly 42 yo fighter Double mx 5/11/09 without reconstruction
Diagnosis: 10/15/2008, ILC, 6cm+, Stage IV, Grade 3, 26/26 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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americanpin… Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 202 |
Nov 2, 2009 05:56 pm
americanpinay wrote:
Lisa and Kimberly, Thanks so much for your responses. I had a brain MRI (without contrast, they couldn't do contrast at the time due to something low in the blood count because of chemo) when I was on Taxol due to horrible headaches. It came back clear. Now that I am on Tamoxifen, I have headaches that come and go. I'm just wondering when or IF I should even ask for another brain MRI to rule out mets. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my question. I wish you both the best. Take care. Lumpectomy 09/08, AC x 4 then Taxol x 12 10/08 through 03/09, Rads x 33 05/09 through 06/09 Tamoxifen beg 08/09
Diagnosis: 9/10/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 4/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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chainsawz Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 259 |
Nov 3, 2009 12:03 pm
chainsawz wrote:
I don't know much about tamoxifen - I wonder if headaches are a SE? If you are worried, you could ask your oncologist about when and if it would be time to get another scan. I know they hesitate to give scans unless you are stage IV or you have symptoms because they want to limit your exposure to radiation and contrast solution. This is all very scary stuff for sure....especially brain mets. That terrifies everyone, but I want you to know that brain mets can be treated. I have read stories of many BC patients who have successfully treated brain mets and are still around years later and plan to be around for a long time to come :> I started out stage IV, so I don't know how you feel but I can only imagine the stress of the unknown you deal with on a daily basis....I think we all have that in common. Hang in there! Best to you!! lisa Lisa -mets to lungs & brain.....the weakest step toward the top of the hill, toward sunrise, toward hope, is stronger than the fiercest storm.
Diagnosis: 7/21/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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robyn33 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 82 |
Nov 3, 2009 01:59 pm
robyn33 wrote:
I have been reading up on the side effects of Tamoxifen (I take it, too) and have seen many notations from others on the drug who have a side effect of head aches. It's a bummer that all of our aches and pains cause us so much worry. Does your head ache come and go? Does it seem worse or more frequent at any particular time of the day? I seem to remember seeing that brain mets MAY be characterized by headaches that are persistent, but worse upon waking up in the AM. I hope that you get the answers you need.... Take care, Robyn Diagnosis: 5/13/2008, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 5/15 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2+ |
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Member_of_t… Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 5,555 |
Nov 3, 2009 03:07 pm
Member_of_the_Club wrote:
Anything that messes with your hormones, like tamoxifen, can cause headaches. I started getting migraines after I went on tamoxifen. Diagnosis: 9/30/2004, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIb, Grade 2, 1/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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americanpin… Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 202 |
Nov 3, 2009 04:51 pm
americanpinay wrote:
Lisa...thanks...your post is very helpful...I wish you many, many years of NED... Robyn and MOTC...thanks...my headaches are very intermittent...probably from stress and worrying...always been a worry wart...add BC diagnosis to that and voila...one messed-up woman...LOL... Be well... Lumpectomy 09/08, AC x 4 then Taxol x 12 10/08 through 03/09, Rads x 33 05/09 through 06/09 Tamoxifen beg 08/09
Diagnosis: 9/10/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 4/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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ElaineD Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 979 |
Nov 3, 2009 04:57 pm
ElaineD wrote:
Looking at your history, it would appear that you had a brain mri this year? Since that was clear, I would take comfort from that. Intermittent headaches are likely to be just that....intermittent headaches! It's hard, but you have to try to learn to rationalise things a little, and accept that you will still get aches and pains which have nothing to do with the cancer-other, perhaps, than being side effects of the drugs. Diagnosis: 11/4/2007, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, ER+/PR-, HER2+ |
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americanpin… Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 202 |
Nov 3, 2009 05:05 pm
americanpinay wrote:
Thanks, ElaineD. I see you're from Edinburgh originally. One of the places I want to visit soon. I've been to London a couple of times and absolutely loved it. Take care. Lumpectomy 09/08, AC x 4 then Taxol x 12 10/08 through 03/09, Rads x 33 05/09 through 06/09 Tamoxifen beg 08/09
Diagnosis: 9/10/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 4/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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ElaineD Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 979 |
Nov 3, 2009 06:37 pm
ElaineD wrote:
Pleased to hear you want to visit my hometown. If you do, drop me a pm, and I'll try and guide you re places to visit. Good luck with the tamoxifen-it can be very effective, so try and stick with it. Diagnosis: 11/4/2007, 5cm, Stage IV, Grade 3, ER+/PR-, HER2+ |
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jrgolomb Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 869 |
Nov 3, 2009 07:58 pm
jrgolomb wrote:
Hello American pinnay-May rads and waiting room-buddy--I so hope your headaches go away and you can write it off as one of those ses from tamoxifen. I am actually on my way to hunt up some of the ses from the tamoxifen. seems every script I get there's a new list. Hugs to you Jess--Multifocal-- IDC .
Diagnosis: 10/16/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage II, Grade 1, 1/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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americanpin… Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 202 |
Nov 4, 2009 12:57 pm
americanpinay wrote:
Thanks, ElaineD. I will make sure to check with you before I go to Edinburgh. Take care. Thanks for the well wishes, Jess. Actually, the headaches have subsided. Are you starting Tamox? It really is doable. I had some neck pains two weeks after I started. That resolved after two to three days. I've been taking Tamox for ten weeks now and I'm noticing that I bruise easier. Other than these minor things, no major SE. Hope it continues that way. Take care. Lumpectomy 09/08, AC x 4 then Taxol x 12 10/08 through 03/09, Rads x 33 05/09 through 06/09 Tamoxifen beg 08/09
Diagnosis: 9/10/2008, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 2, 4/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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