mets to lung
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Yes devine, ct scan
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Thanks Cathy and happy for your report of No Progression!!
Can you tell me what trial drug you are on? My oncologist sucks and I am having my records sent over to UT Hospital to a new onc that my sister has researched. I have learned so much that I could be doing to help my cancer from the internet. My onc treats me as just a number and when I mention things I read on internet....he brushes me off. Can someone tell me that before you were diagnosed stage 4...did you receive regular scans??? In 3 1/2 years...i have not had one scan. The only scans I ever had were to initially diagnose breast cancer and stage it. I have been going to my 3 month blood work appt where he supposedly looked at the blood work report. He would feel my nodes and send me on my way. Well I found the lump in my neck...not him. And then when he broke the news to me, my Dad asked what the treatment would be and he said "without treatment 6 months to live and with treatment 2 years" Me, mom and my Dad all left in tears! How is that for trying to give you patient some hope!! Now I go on BC.org and see women managing this for years. I just don't get it. I know he can't promise me anything, but he could have least told me....there are a lot of good drugs out there and lots of them.
Praying for all my stage 4 sisters!!
Robin
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Dr. Google diagnosed my mets. I had symptoms of Horner's Syndrome (one eye appeared to be sunken in due to lung tumor pressing on a nerve). And I had continuous shoulder pain, and some shortness of breath. My general practice doctor wasn't concerned, but I was persistent and asked for chest X-ray. What could it hurt, I asked? So she agreed, and sent me to an eye doctor and for an MRI for the eye. Sure enough - I was right (thanks Dr. Google), and the X-rays showed multiple pulmonary nodules. She then sent me for a CT Scan and a lung biopsy to see what we were dealing with. If I hadn't been persistent in asking for the chest x-ray, I don't know how long I would have gone before diagnosis.
Divine - On my CT Scan- it refers to multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules consistent with metastatic disease and gives measurements of the larger ones.
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Hi Ladies!
To Brenda, I am on both Taxol and Xeloda now. Prior (since stage 4 dx) I've been on Afinitor & Aromasin together, Faslodex, now this combo. Zometa and Xgeva as well, but not tolerated.
To Divine, yes, a CT scan.
To Robin, yes, I had scans in the years after my initial diagnosis. Once I was 10 years out, I didn't think I needed them anymore. I didn't do bloodwork after 12.5 years out. Cancer returned at some point between 12.5 and 15 years out.
I say trust your gut on all things.....
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Okay, it sounds like I'm looking for a term like pulmonary nodule and I don't see it. Is it possible for a ct scan to not pick up the possibility of lung mets? I truly appreciate your sharing your experience.
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I had regular ct scans only because of lung damage during my chemo. That is what found my 2 nodules and then they followed them every 3 months till it was obvious it was mets. I have heard from others that no they don't give reg ct scans to check. I have heard this debate before but usually here in Canada you must have a reason to get one. I would think it would have to be really small for a ct scan not to pick it up. I have several spots on both lungs and in lymph nodes and it shows well enough to be measured at each ct scan.Cathy
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Oh sorry I forgot to answer about the drug trial I am on. Its the Palbociclib / letrozole drug trial. This trial is not taking any further patients but there are plenty other drug trials that are.
Cathy
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Devine, I had a bad cough, made worse when I talked or exercised even a little. Nodules first seen on X-ray, then CT scan, and finally on Pet scan. Cough stopped immediately when I started my first treatment of arimidex.
I have all,of my scan reports and would be happy to look them over to see if some terms or words would help you. Let me know. Nanc
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Devine, I see the word lesions with respect to the pulmonary nodules
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Sky, I hear that Xeloda passes through the BBB. So it's also meant to treat your brain mets (along with the other mets). Hope the s/e's are not too severe and that this treatment works, eventually.
Mrs. M: The terms "nodular", "nodule", and "lesions" are very telling. "Consistent with metastatic disease" is obvious. In my case it was "nodular pleural thickening" because the mets were in the pleural lining of my left lung. There must be something else that is causing your cough. I was coughing on and off for two years. I would have a coughing fit that would not stop until I vomited. My regular doctor finally prescribed Prilosec which is for acid reflux. My coughing stopped! FYI my coughing was not a symptom of my lung mets.
Take care.
Brenda
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hi ladies - I have been reading this board in the past but have not been on for a while but recently was told I had pleural thickening on my non BC side and nodules (small). I also have a nodule on my BC side and rad damage to about 40 percent of my lung. I asked the question of the lung specialist - is this cancer ? He said - maybe. I am now to get another ct in 4 months to see how things progress. Is there ANYTHING else I should/could do in the meantime? This is a scary place to be...
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Hi Jab, I was just diagnosed with lung mets, but my Onc told me he is not really sure its cancer, but assumes it is since I already had cancer. I was on Tamoxifin because I was pre-menpausal. He did a blood check and found that I am now post menopausal so put me on Arimidex. If I were you I would want the blood test to see if you are still pre menopausal. He said If my mets are cancer then I had progression on the Tamoxifin. He feel Arimidex is best for the post menopausal women. But every onc has a different opinion. I am now trying to decide if I want to take the Arimidex for 2 months then get a scan to see if it helped the mets or go straight to Taxol. I am under way too much stress about this. My mets are so small they can't be measured.
Can I get some advise from all you other ladies. Would you take the Arimidex and scan in two months or jump straight in to Taxol. I hate chemo so much and don't want to lose my hair again. Do you think the chemo gives me the best chance right now or are the hormonals just as good with stopping progression?
Wishing everyone good health and progression free!!!
Robin
PS excuse all my misspells.
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thanks Robin for your quick reply. I was tested and am post- menopausal, butcm on tamoxifen as my Onc wanted to wait a year to make sure.
So much of everyone's experience on this forum is resonating with me. One thing that I find a bit odd is I do not have a cough, but rather it hurts to breast ;on both sides - it feels like I am pushing against something when I breath - does that sound familiar to anyone? Also my sternum really hurts, which someone else commented on. One if my early cts showed enlarged lymph nodes against my chest wall so I'm wondering if this might be why my sternum hurts.
I am getting an MRI this week of my sternum and neck so maybe it will show what is going in there.
The ladies on this board all seem so strong to me. I m scared out of my mind right now. How do you all keep it together and keep living with this?
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Jab I was thinking the same thing! Very strong knowledgable women on this site. I am a crying, depressed mess! I suppose once I see progression has stopped, I will be able to relax a bit.
I hope your MRI will get to the bottom of it all!
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Robin, If I am remembering accurately, I think it was you who had some difficulty communicating with your MO. I am so sorry if that still is the case since you really need to know his reasoning in prescribing a particular tx protocol. It really takes information re your bx report.
Arimidex is one of the first "go to" drugs for metastatic breast cancer with cells that are ER+ and for cells that are Her2+, Herceptin is used. Such information really depends on your individual case. If you started Arimidex now as your doc suggests....it may take more than a few months to see results. but it is still working. I am not sure as to why you would need to start Taxol...If I were you I would set up an appt with onc and get your complete picture as to the "what...why.....and the successes seen with different protocols. Good luck Robin. BTW I have been taking ER+ drug ...Faslodex for a year and stable so far....those drugs are very doable.
Let us know what you decide. Hugs, Peg
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Robin, If I am remembering accurately, I think it was you who had some difficulty communicating with your MO. I am so sorry if that still is the case since you really need to know his reasoning in prescribing a particular tx protocol. It really takes information re your bx report.
Arimidex is one of the first "go to" drugs for metastatic breast cancer with cells that are ER+ and for cells that are Her2+, Herceptin is used. Such information really depends on your individual case. If you started Arimidex now as your doc suggests....it may take more than a few months to see results. but it is still working. I am not sure as to why you would need to start Taxol...If I were you I would set up an appt with onc and get your complete picture as to the "what...why.....and the successes seen with different protocols. Good luck Robin. BTW I have been taking ER+ drug ...Faslodex for a year and stable so far....those drugs are very doable.
Let us know what you decide. Hugs, Peg
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Thanks Peg! I am going for a second opinion with a different oncologist at a different hospital. I think that will give me more information and what my options are. So happy that Faslodex is working great for you! I will also pray that God gives me peace in that I will be given the best treatment possible.
Much love to you,
Robin
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Do what i have to do, life doesn't stop cause i have cancer. There r people far worse off than me, kids too
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Hi Robin!
My onc encouraged me to take the hormonal therapy drugs for as long as possible. I had very little progression; tamoxiphen worked for 13 months and then I took faslodex and then a combo of faslodex and arimidex. I was on Xeloda and then Affinitor/Aromasin. Only then did he suggest that I start the chemo drugs again.
I don't have any regrets! I trust my onc and have been living almost 10 years with IBC (inflamatory breast cancer)!
Not to brag here but I've always felt that my onc knows what is best for me because he knows far more about this than I do! He is the best known onc where I live!! He is respected and patients come from long distances to see him!
I trust you have the best onc possible!
Take care and will be anxious to know what you decide.
Judy
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Thanks Judy! My progression is only in my lungs and the lesions are so small they can't be measured. I am leaning toward the hormonals but I will get my second opinion before I make that decision. I see that a lot of ladies start off with the hormonals first and do really well. I know as a stage 4 that chemo will definitely be in my future, but for now...I would be a happy camper if the hormonals work as well for me as they have for you.
Much love to you!
Robin
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jab,
Did you have reconstruction? I sometimes attribute "pushing against something while I breathe" to my reconstruction needing revision. I think I have capsular contracture on my flap side.
But then again, I also wonder why while I was on Abraxane my breathing was great. My last scan said, "decreasing nodular pleural thickening". This was good news for my MO.
Now I'm worried that the Faslodex is not working. My breathing would still be great otherwise.
Sorry if I just managed to confuse you. It's good that you don't have coughing or SOB. Take care and keep us posted!
Brenda
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No reconstruction - I'm only 6 months out if rads and my plastic won't do anything until he gets an ok from my bs which he is not getting.
Do others have calcification showing In the pleural thickening?
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well gator gal they messed up my schedule and I started a couple days ahead of you. First abraxane treatment today. So far no SEs. Got kicked off my trial before the actual chemo started though. Due to my brain mri from last week showing progression.
Started fentanyl patches for the pai I've had in my abdomen, side and back. The hydrocodone isn't controlling it. Does anyone else have pain like this? I can only assume it is my lung. Have had thorencentesis twice now. The first one temporarily relieved some of the back pain. Second one did not but breathing improved. Also assuming regression is the only thing that can fix the pain. Anyone have this experience? I constantly feel like I'm alone in an island these days.
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So sorry d. Pie for all your troubles. I hope things turn around for you real soon
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To Brenda, yes, it appears the Xeloda is shrinking the brain mets, new and old, as per last brain MRI. It seems Xeloda does get past the bbb, like you said. Good news there!
To Divine, mine showed up on an X-ray, and then on a CT scan, with contrast. I've not had coughing, but get easily winded. I think if I were you, I'd follow up with a new scan again in a few months to compare.
I had a lung biopsy after it was discovered, and my lung collapsed! Got a few extra days of yummy (kidding) hospital food after that. But, they were able to determine it was the same cancer (breast), metastasized, with the pathology.They also did a circulating tumor cell test, and the results were up there. So, it was on the move. Wish I didn't "google" that!!
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U r not alone, pain in my back among other places, have thorencentesis a couple of times, pleual effusion right lung.
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blondie when you have drained does the pain go away? The worst for me is sort of on my side/front. From waist to ribs. Feels like someone kicked me in the side about 100 times. I have fentanyl patches and take hydrocodone for breakthrough but it still never goes away completely. Sometimes it is excruciating. Does anything make the pain cease for you?
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Dont have any pain from my lungs, just the ribs.
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Well, I'm back after having surgery to remove a single lung met in September and nowthe latest CT has shown another lung met and lymph nodes that continue to grow with each scan in my chest. Three lousy months...ugh. They asked me to try Tamoxifen and rescan in March. I want to know how it affects folks. I already have enough hot flashes and don't need more. What else might it do to me? I'm gonna give it a little while and see what happens. I am very tired of fighting this beast that continues to reign its ugly head on me. Some might consider me quitting but I consider it being a realist. Anyway, any news on Tamox would be helpful. Thanks for listening.
Namaste'.
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wrsmith2x,
I'm surprised they are suggesting Tamoxifen for you since you are ER-/PR-.
I think most of us wish we could be on Tamoxifen since it is generally the easiest treatment out there. Everybody reacts differently and the early stage women are always complaining about it. However, compared with any of the chemos and I believe the other hormonals as well (I haven't taken any of the others so someone else can chime in on that), it's generally well tolerated.
Best, Susan
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