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4love, very scary time for you. Hopefully you will get test results ASAP so you know. When I felt my lump second time round I knew it was going to be bad but mine was in the breast. Lymph nodes come up with all sorts of infections so don't assume the worst.
Best wishes for negative test results soon.
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Both times I was dx, I just KNEW it was cancer. First time was a lump in my breast, no risk factors, 31 years old. Second time was lump near my clavicle, age 40, no other symptoms.Did anyone else feel that way?
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Amica, the following paragraph was copied from parathyroid.com
High Blood Calcium
High calcium in the blood is called hypercalcemia, and is almost always due to parathyroid disease. It is almost never due to cancer. All causes of high calcium are discussed on this page, including what tests will determine the cause of the high calcium.
.........
I can’t tell you how many doctors poo - pood my high calcium before I had the one offending overactive parathyroid removed. (Most people have 4, so no big loss) The high level was noted several times but always accompanied by, “Oh, it’s just a little bit out of range.”I think the only reason it was finally taken care of was because it was right next to my thyroid which was removed because of thyroid cancer, (I had finally found a good endocrinologist, no thanks to my PCP who didn’t want to refer even though I had a 1.5 cm thyroid tumor.) Still, I’m told, the parathyroid problem had nothing to do with the cancer. Parathyroid.com will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the parathyroid. I always get a copy of my bloodwork and ask about out-of range numbers if they are consistantly out-of range.I have discovered that it sometimes pays to become a pest in the process of advocating for yourself if that what it takes.0 -
I have growth on my forehead that came out of nowhere in the last couple of months.
My pcp says it needs to come off.
Now I'm wondering how likely could this actually be a skin mets thing.
Anyone deak with something like this?
I know it could be nothing. But it could also be something.
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Tang&Chris - I would definitely see a dermatologist. Nothing against PCPs, but it sounds like you need a specialist. If they're going to remove, I would recommend Mohs surgery, where they remove the 'growth' and send it to the path lab while you are there to make sure they got it all before they stitch you up. Especially since it's on your face. It' local anesthesia but does require special training to do this surgery. I have gone to a derm plastic surgeon for 5 basal cell surgeries at the recommendation of my regular derm doc.
Below is an article about Mohs surgery from Cancer Connect.
https://mavendoctors.io/cancerconnect/treatment-ca...
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I hadn't even considered it, but you make sense. I was honestly surprised the PCP didn't refer me to a dermatologist.
I'm going to read the link. Thank you❤
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maybe it's a lipoma? I had one show up in 3 mo. Just got it removed on tues by my bs who is a general surgeon. It was almost 3 inches long which in the lipoma world is big. Read up on lipoma, which is a fat pad.
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It feels rough, its not smooth like a lipoma seems to be. I wish i could take a pic.
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tangandchris, I could be wrong, but I think skin mets from bc tends to show up where the original lesion was -- usually on the breast. But I agree with MinusTwo that this is something for a dermatologist to evaluate. I'm guessing it might be a basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer -- both fairly harmless as long as you catch and have them removed quickly.
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I had a growth suddenly appear on my stomach. The dermatologist said either squamous cell or sebarrhea (sp?) keratosis. Had to wait a week for results. Fortunately it was benign. I almost lost it while waiting just from hearing the words biopsy and cancer again. Skin mets is very rare and “shiny” according to dermatologist.0
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Hey friends! In 05/2016, I was diagnosed with stage II, grade B (I know my profile says A), triple positive breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy, followed by chemo, bilateral mastectomy (in 01/2017), radiation and completed Herceptin in 08/2017. I did have cancer in 2 of my lymph nodes, which were removed but have not had any issues with lymphadema. In 01/2018 I had my expanders switched out for implants and in 05/2018 I had fat grafting surgery. About 2 weeks ago, I noticed slight pain on my rib. It feels like maybe I pulled something. Or maybe bruised it. It is located on the side on my original right breast, breast cancer. It is to the right of my right breast. The pain area begins begins just below my breast, but slightly to the right of the breast. It's my 2 inches of "pain." I don't even know if pain is the right word. It's not a constant feeling. It's when I reach certain ways, or sleep on my side or when I press on it. Which, of course, I do often now because I am paranoid. I contacted my oncologist and he recommended I put a heating pad on the spot for a week. I am on day 5. Still having the sensation. Side, note, the heating pad caused me to get a little burn on breast. Oops. Skin sensitivity after radiation. This is all I can think about this week. I am not having any other symptoms or pain anywhere else. I would say I over the summer I started a new heart burn medication and noticed some dizziness and irritability and maybe feeling anxious. I stopped that about a month or so ago and the dizziness is much better. Still anxious. I've never really been an anxious person. Maybe that just comes with going through something like this. I'm sure being anxious and irritable has nothing to do with this "pain," I'm describing. Anyway, just trying to give all of you the full picture. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks!!
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Mama2BC, most aches and pains -- which we all had prior to a bc dx, and will continue to get post-bc tx -- are not mbc. But what helped me the most was the 3 week rule. Almost without exception, most benign aches and pains will go away on their own within two to three weeks. When a pain doesn't -- or if it requires something more than an OTC pain reliever -- that's the time to report it to your onc and let them decide if it needs to be checked out.
As far as the dizziness, it sounds like that new med was to blame, especially if it's improved. But you may also want to have your onc or PCP do a complete blood panel, to be sure your counts are all okay. If they're not, it's not a sign of mets -- just could be an explanation for the dizziness. And hopefully you've addressed the heartburn by eliminating whatever was causing it, rather than needing a med.
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Hi mama2bc. I had a similar pain, kind of right under my breast and into my ribs. At my last check up they told me it was from the radiation, kind of like scarring I guess. I've had recent scans and there's no disease there. It has improved with time. If it doesn't improve in a couple of weeks though, I would ask them to check it out. It is worth while even just for your own emotional well being.
I know every time I have an odd ache or pain I keep poking and prodding it. Then I'm not sure if I'm causing the pain by constantly touching it.
I hope you get some answers soon to put your mind at ease.
Ally
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I had the same pain. I went through X-rays, ct scan and they found nothing. At my annual follow up with the radiologist he said that that is a common place for discomfort after radiation. I would still get it checked out but I just wanted to pass that along.
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I have, what sounds like, the same pain. I’ve had it a few months now. They’ve done xrays and ct w/wo contrast and say they don’t see anything and that it might be just bruised cartilage around my ribs. I see my onco next month and I will definitely be asking for an mri/pet. I already have a bone scan scheduled the first week of January. I have also developed knots under my arm on the side the bc was. I saw a surgeon this week and they’re sending me to the women’s specialty center where I was first dx for an ultrasound guided wire insertion for the surgeon to take biopsies. Here’s hoping you get answers also!🤞🏻Hugs..
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Hi
Just wondering what to expect next.
I need hope. They are ready to give chemo again. Abraxane?
No Biopsy of the liver just juice me.
I want to survive. I feel like they are looking in a book and throwing their hands up figuring it might work with no analysis.
Please make sure to get regular imaging they did no imaging for 2 yrs.
Markers just went up.
Hx below I don'thave time to figure out whats going to work.
Liver 3 large 1 small
4cm largest
x 6/1/2009, IDC, <1cm, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Hormonal Therapy 6/5/2009 Arimidex (anastrozole)
Surgery 6/5/2009 Lumpectomy: RightRadiation Therapy 8/1/2009 Whole-breast: BreastHormonal Therapy 11/1/2009 Arimidex (anastrozole)
Dx 11/1/2013, IDC, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, ER+/PR-, HER2+
Surgery 1/1/2014 Mastectomy: Right; Prophylactic mastectomy: Left
Targeted Therapy 2/1/2014 Herceptin (trastuzumab)
Chemotherapy ,Carboplatin (Paraplatin), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Dx 10/1/2014, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR-, HER2-Hormonal Therapy 11/1/2014 Aromasin (exemestane)
Skin mets Sept 2015
3/2016, IDC, Right, ER+, HER2-Metastatic treatmentTypeExternalSiteChest wall radiation was finished . Pet scan then revealed left lymph node involvement. Her2- estrogen + progesterone-
Ibrance and fasoldex 2yrs
It shrunk to nothing markers normal no Ca.
But now on
10.10.18 markers up
Liver mets
Lisa
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Lisa, I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It must be horribly scary. Hoping you can seek multiple opinions. Are they not biopsying the liver site? They need to know if it is ER+. and/or HER2+ so they can make sure that your treatments are appropriate. Ask to be seen at a large academic medical center. If you already are, then ask to see someone at another center. Thinking of you.
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Thank you.....I know everyone is looking for hope or the right combo with out the experimentation. I hope one day we get it.
No they are not doing a Biopsy . It seems they have it all figured out without speaking to me with direct precise analysis. Unless they know I have no options. I'm in the field and am taken back by it.
Just A quick answer more chemo.
It struck me as odd. I have cancer in the left axilla and now the liver.
I never in a million years thought It would grow to this.
So onwards I go. Philly this week for a second opion. If I don't like what I here I'm on a plane to MD anderson in Tx.
I have always have had second opinions and second reads on pathology.
Dana Farber
Sloan Kettering
Md Anderson in Camden
Fox Chase
I wish I could avoid more iv chemo been there done that it came back slightly over a month. All it did was piss my cancer off.
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funthing42, I'm sorry you're in this situation. I have often felt that I might not want to do the IV chemos again either. They made me too sick, and they weren't even very effective on my cancer.
You may be able to do Xeloda, which is a pill chemo, and easier to tolerate for most people. My MO said it's the mildest chemo as far as side effects go. I'm on Xeloda now, and I can live a fairly normal life on it. My hair is even growing back! It also doesn't affect your counts as much either, which is great.
If you are still HR+ you may be also be able to do Ibrance, or something similar.
Hugs and best wishes to you. Please keep us posted on how you're doing.
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Buttonsmachine,
Thank you for response. I'm on Ibrance and Fasolodex. I'm her2 neg.
Now not sure if still the same or if I should beg for a liver and node Biopsy.
Big Hugs ....
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Fun- consider Xeloda and perhaps Y90 radioembolization.
Best, MJH
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Hi everyone, I haven't been on the site for a while. I recently celebrated 9 years cancer free at the beginning of September, just before my annual mammogram, I began to have pain on (what seemed to be) a rib on the right side, same side as my original IDC stage 1 in 2009. I reported it when I checked in for my mammogram, and they changed the billing code to a diagnostic mammogram rather than a routine yearly screening. The mammogram was normal, but I was told I should have an MRI under the circumstances. The MRI was also normal. I saw my oncologist today who ordered a bone scan, after determining for certain that the pain was on a rib, not my breast. I asked her if I should be worried, and she said "maybe a little". I asked her if she knew the chance of recurrence for those who were stage 1 with negative nodes. Right off the bat, she said 2%, and laughed because she said she only knew because she is currently writing a paper... After that, she spoke openly and honestly with me about what if it turns out that I have bone mets. She said there is a specific type of bone met with BC, which involves only one location, and even though you are considered stage 4 at that point, that it is completely curable. Of course if there are more spots, thats a different story...I haven't shared any of this with anyone. I have been divorced for just over 4 years, and don't want to concern anyone in my family prematurely. I am concerned, not overly worried, but that's why I'm here...Anyone with a similar story or situation?
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Hi! I’m Sherri,
I’ve been living with advanced BC since 2010. My docs feel I was in stage IV for several years before diagnosis.
If docs are throwing up their hands, get another opinion. NOW. Find the best cancer center you can reasonably get to, even if it means driving farther than you’d like. I live in a small town with a small town cancer center. Docs were throwing up their hands when I was diagnosed. The spread was so extensive on my chest and presumably lymph nodes they were flummoxed. They knew it had already spread. I got a second opinion at a well respected cancer institute 100 miles from my home. I truly believe I’d have long since died had I stayed in my hometown to be treated.
I’ve had several scares, most recently earlier this year. I have ILC with a particularly invisible growth pattern that does not show on imaging, other than in bone. My labs were showing that my liver would soon fail or I would bleed to death as my platelet count became very low. My liver looked fine on CT & MRI. Biopsy confirmed extensive infiltration of ILC. I had lost a lot of weight. I am 5’6” and weighed 110#. I’ve used up all of the hormonal and targeted therapies. During this period I additionally began sprouting skin tumors on my shoulders and back at the rate of 1-2 per week. I thought it was the end.
My doc prescribed Xeloda, oral chemo, in May. It’s really a newer generation of an old chemotherapy drug. After taking this drug for only about 2 weeks my skin tumors began shrinking rapidly. My liver enzymes began falling. I’d has cancer related (or so they thought) anemia for about 2 years. I no longer have anemia, I weigh 126# (gained 16#), my liver enzymes have returned to normal.
Xeloda may not be the right drug for your breast cancer, however I’m telling you these things to let you know that there is hope. My end of the road is not yet here, although a few months ago it appeared so.
Get the best treatment you can. This is your life. There’s no time for doctors feelings (yes, docs down here were calling the doctors at the cancer institute where I am seen, angry because I went to them). They tried to guilt me into staying put. I knew finding the best treatment possible was my only hope of extending my life for more than about 2 years. 8 years later I’m feeling less burdened by cancer than I’ve felt in a long time.
And, driving is not so bad for such an important cause if you have a good cancer institute where you could be seen. Let loved ones shuttle you about. Sit back and enjoy the scenery and sip you favorite drink. You deserve it.
I’m sorry you have to face this terrible disease. It’s frightening and confusing. I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you the best for a substantial and long lasting reprieve.
Fight,Fight,Fight!
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sherrmue, thank you for sharing your story! That is such great advice, and I'm sure it will help everyone who reads it. :-)
My small town cancer center was also flummoxed by my cancer. Some people gave me guilt about seeking outside opinions, but I did it anyway. The outlook was bleak earlier this year, but now my cancer is under control.
Best wishes to you!
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Hi Sherri! Thank you for sharing your journey with me. I’m sorry you’re dealing with so much, and glad you have found excellent care. I’m in the San Francisco Bay Area and my current Dr, whose title is Primary Care Oncologist is fabulous. There are only a handful of oncs in the country that hold this title. I feel as though I am in good hands, but am not shy about advocating for myself when a situation requires it.
Thanks to you too, Buttonsmachine, and best wishes to you both. I will check in when I have more information.
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HI, wenweb. Was the word your oncologist used oligometastasis? That's when there is only one or a small numberof mets in only one or maybe two places. In the case of a single bone met, they would typically zap it with radiation, which could be curative.
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I was wondering about bone mets. I have shoulder, both, neck and back soreness. Have been diagnosed with arthritis in my neck which they say is causing the shoulder pain on my left side. My breast cancer was on the right side only. Recently have had soreness in my tail bone and in my mid back and some in my left hip. I had a bone scan about 2 months ago and nothing was found. Now I read that bone scan may not be able to pick up certain mets. I was wondering about your experiences with bones mets? Is it really painful right away or does it start as soreness and get worse? I have arthritis and bone one bone knee problems. I am kind of a mess. Don't want to jump to conclusions but also don't want to overlook something that I shouldn't. Thank you for allowing us early stagers to ask you guys questions. I am in awe of your strength.
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Yes, Shetlandpony, that was the word my onc used. Thanks for that! ChesterandRally is saying she had a bone scan that found nothing. I'm not suggesting there was something to find, but am wondering if a Petscan shows different things than a bone scan and why one over the other is used. Does anyone know?
Chesterpony, I am sorry that you have so much pain. I hope you decide to question your onc about this so you can get some answers. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Hi ChesterandRally,
I am no expert but typically the pain from bone mets is very persistent, often worse at night. Many people never experience pain from their bone mets while others can have quite a bit of pain.
I have extensive bone mets and have had to have radiation a couple of times to deal with it. The first issue I had was a serious bout of sciatica caused by tumors in my lower back. I literally could not walk in the morning when I got up. Radiation caused almost instant relief from this. In January I started experiencing pain in my right hip and an ache in my groin, particularly when I was in certain positions. I wasn't sure that it was the cancer in this case (I had hip pain when I went through chemo in 2001 and the groin pain seemed more in the muscles). I delayed but over time the pain continued to worsen to the point where I was almost limping. My RO treated the hip and the pubic bone which relieved the symptoms.
The challenge is that there are so many things that can cause joint/bone aches and pains. I certainly had my fair share of back issues before my stage IV diagnosis. My advice, if the bone scan did not show mets, would be to assume that it is arthritis. While it is always challenging to wrap our heads around it, the reality is that there is no survival benefit to finding metastatic cancer early (although I think it could be argued that is not the case with oligometastatic cancer) and there are risks to excessive scanning. I would also like to add that Arimidex and Tamoxifen can cause arthritic symptoms.
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ChesterandRally ~ Was the bone scan you had a nuclear bone scan or a dexa bone scan? Both are referred to as "bone scans," but there's a bit difference in what they detect. If you had a nuclear bone scan, that should show any mets activity in your bones. Nuclear bone scans are usually used along with CT scans as follow up for those of us who have mbc. The CT shows any change (growth, shrinkage) in the area, while the nuclear bone scan shows uptake or degree of activity. A dexa scan, OTOH, is used to diagnose osteoporosis and osteopenia. It's a much simpler, quicker test. It does not require a nuclear injection, and it's not used to dx bone mets.
Bone mets pain can vary from individual to individual, but in general, unless nerves are involved, it's a deep, aching pain that worsens, especially if it's not being treated. If you continue to have pain, I would probably ask for a PET scan or an MRI, but the fact that you've been dx'd with arthritis in your neck makes arthritis in those other areas seem like the most logical explanation for your pain. Deanna
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