Bone Mets Thread
Comments
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exbrnxgrl.... (or anyone else with insight) Hi there. I just read your post about a femur bx. I am hoping to not step on anyone's toes by posting on here, but I am really scared right now. I was dx in 9/2011 with IDC, stage IIa, grade 3, 1/12 nodes, triple positive bc. I have since had a hysterectomy for endometrial thickening and horrendous periods, and I am on tamoxifen. For about a month I have had pain in my right femur. I put off going to the doc hoping it would go away. I finally couldn't take it anymore so went in. She ordered x rays and they came back and said there is a sclerotic spot in the place I am having the pain. I couldn't speak freely with her when she called b/c my 14 year old daughter was with me and I didn't want to scare her. I have a bone scan scheduled for this coming Monday. I got a copy of the x rays, and all I can see is a white spot that stands out a little. What in the world does sclerotic mean, and how worried should I be? The internet is not super helpful. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Can't believe I am in fear once again. More scared than ever. Thanks in advance!0 -
Hi slgarcia......so sorry you are having this fear. A sclerotic lesion is a thickening of the bone and can be caused by quite a number of things even a bad bump where you may have damaged the bone, it does not necessarily mean mets but they do need to be ruled out and that is why a bone scan has been ordered for you.
Take a few good deep breaths and try to let go of that fear as worrying before you have definite answers really is a waste of energy. Keeping my fingers crossed that the news is all good.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Chrissyb... Thank you for your reply. I know being in fear without answers is a waste of energy, but it is so hard not to be scared. After all we go through, more waiting just sucks! Thank you for the info on sclerotic bone. I had no idea it could be something so simple. I do not remember an injury, but that doesn't mean I didn't bump it somewhere along the way. I will pray that is all it is. Again, thank you and God bless. I will let you know what the results are.0 -
slgarcia- so sorry that you are going through this scare....hopefully that is all that it is. chrissy is our resident expert and has been so helpful to me. just wanted to chime in that i had a femur met found randomly on x-ray when i went in for a hip labral tear (from cardio kickboxing). it took a while to diagnose it as a met, though, because like chrissy said, there are a variety of other things that such lesions can be. i was also told that the area could still light up on a bone scan even if it wasn't metastatic, so it's best to hear what your oncologist thinks after the scan (even if the area lights up). in my case, i also had an MRI and PET scan prior to having the bone biopsy. i was told that beside an injury to the bone, there were several other potential causes (autoimmune, infection, congential, hemangioma, etc.). i know it's terrifying right now, but praying for you that it is nothing.0 -
Shannon,
Hope the answers you've gotten, so far, are helpful. My femur met was discovered by accident . I had no pain or symptoms of any kind. The biopsy was easy. I had Versed and a painkiller via IV. They injected a local at the site. It was CT guided. I felt no pain and was awake, but didn't really care what was going on thanks to Versed. I waited for about an hour in a recovery area (they brought me a lovely turkey sandwich and juice) and then went home with a bandaid over the site. I had the tiniest bit of soreness but not enough to even take Tylenol. Hoping this turns out to be nothing !
Caryn
PS: I forgot to say that prior to the biopsy, I had a PET scan .0 -
Thanks Tarheel, yours is a lovely pic of a lovely lady. Makeup does wonderful things, like covering up those dark circles from sleepless nights, lol0 -
Hi Rangermom, I'll be hoping your very busy week produces some great news! I also love your new picture. Someday I'll figure out how to post a picture.0 -
Thanks Teacher. If you have a pic somewhere on your computer you like, you can use it add to your setting by going to your Profile, click on Settings, scroll down to Avatar, click on upload and browse for where your pic is stored on your pc and then hit Save. Viola!0 -
I agree with tarheel !! Hope your test Come out fine.0 -
slgarcia,
Sorry to hear of your circumstances. I, too, am in a wait & see mode. I was having low back pain in late August. Saw my gp who prescribed anti-inflammatory and referred me to massage therapy. Neither relieved pain. Went back to gp who then prescribed 10 days of prednisone and referred me for Xrays. Xrays indicated mild spondylosis of lumbar spine, not unusual for someone my age, 57. Prednisone did not relieve pain so I got really scared it may be bone mets so went in earlier than scheduled to onc. He scheduled me for my first PET scan. Had scan done on Monday and back to onc for results on Thursday. My scan showed a 1.5 cm spot on my left hip joint which is location of my continuing pain. He, however, together with radiologist review of scan, could not be totally conclusive that it was cancerous and not age related degeneration. I also had a spot on one of my ribs, which was not mentioned in radiologist's report, which my onc that was odd. The radiologist's report also indicate the scan showed I had a hysterectomy, which is not at all true. WTF. Wondering if radiologist actually prepared his report based on my actual scan? And both kept asking if I had previous scan for comparison. I asked for a PET scan when I was first diagnosed, but Onc felt it was not necessary at that time. ??? Onc has now scheduled me for an MRI to help distinguish whether the hip spot is cancer or not. Apparently the spot has too even of an edge where a cancer would show up with an irregular edge. Holly crap. This back and forth scanning and appointments is very similar to what I went through when first diagnosed. After mammogram I had MRI and then a biopsy to finally confirm it was breast cancer. It's like no one wants to be the bearer of the obvious bad news. Jeez you'd think they could be a bit quicker at determining what it is or isn't. After MRI I expect I will have to undergo a biopsy which will then tell them it is cancer. In the interim I am in pain. I wish they'd just get on with it and tell me what my next round of treatment needs to be. I hate the waiting game.0 -
CJRT, & exbrnxgrl, thank you so much for your quick responses. I feel a little bit better, but I am still scared. Just want to get the scan over with and have some better information! God bless both of you!!!! Sherryh16, I am sorry to hear what you are going through and what you have been through. I would ask for a different radiologist to read the report. I am right there with ya on the waiting.....it is the worst. Just tell me what it is and lets make a plan if we need one. If we don't, then I will finally get some really good sleep! I will be praying for you and all of our other bc sisters. Keep me posted!0 -
This "wait and see" seems to becoming a recurring nightmare....
I didn't have any pain but was having "wonky" bloodwork so that started the MO on scans.
I had a Bone scan, hip xray, CT scan, PET, hip MRI, PET again and then a biopsy (with CT) all from Sept 2012 to May 2013.
Even after the 2nd PET they were still uncertain and were thinking it could be a Liposlerosing myxofibrous tumour.
The bone biopsy finally confirmed BC in my femur at the hip.
I suppose in a perfect world we would be scanned at the get go - right after original DX to see what we're dealing with - then scanned again after treatment to make sure it worked. I personally did not have any scans done until Sept 2012 (almost 3 years after my original DX).
There is power in knowledge - once you find out what it is and have a plan it will get better.
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Wow, sorry to see not so great news from several of you. Rangermom, glad you're getting scans. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, BethCon. Redroan - we all need vent time!
The orchid picture posted by TarheelMichelle did remind me that miracles do exist. Last year, I bought some orchid plants at a craft fair. And promptly set out to kill them (I'm not great with house plants). My husband took custody of them and tossed them into the greenhouse which has no heating, just shelter from the wind. Then he tossed them out in the yard (in a pot). They keep getting blown over by the wind, they need food and repotting, and they are seriously neglected. However...they are in bloom! Huge beautiful flowers! I'll try to get a picture and post it. So if my (they're mine again, now that they have flowers) orchids can bloom, anything is possible.
I keep reminding myself of this while I wait. Bone scan and blood work in early Sept, still waiting for the CT scan (maybe end of October). Then oncologist appointment. The free medical care in New Zealand is by and large quite wonderful. But the waiting does make me a bit crazy. However, as my GP pointed out, if they found something bad, they'd get me in immediately. So, I'm trying to worry more about getting seasick on my upcoming deep sea fishing trip than about the cancer and scan results. It's just a bit frustrating as there's no way to contact the oncologist; everything has to be done through the GP (who has been wonderful), and at times the silence is deafening. At any rate, enough of my whining. I realise how fortunate I am; I only take ibupropen for pain, I work full time, I'm getting ready for a two week long road/business trip which should be fun, and I have a great husband and five goofy cats who keep me in line.
Hugs and prayers to all of you,
Terre0 -
kiwicatmom, congrats on the orchids! I have a dendrobium getting ready to bloom (not the orchids in that gorgeous pic, those were not mine). My cat has knocked over the orchid twice, most recently Fri. night, (all over the white rug, great) so I see the plant's resilience and it gives me hope, too. (I know NOTHING about orchids, but after my cat knocked over mine the first time, I read online that unlike other house plants, orchids don't like bigger pots, or repotting with fresh soil more than once a year. I used an orchid specific soil.)
Best wishes on your test results, and bon voyage.0 -
Thanks, Michelle. Good luck with your orchid! My are cymbidia, the easiest ones to grow. I do great with outdoor plants, but not so much with indoor (the curious cats being part of my excuse). I know nothing about growing orchids other than what I've read on line. We have some orchid potting soil; would probably be good to use it some day.
All the best to you!
Terre0 -
Hi Ladies. I had my bone scan done today. I could see it, and the spot on my femur where there is pain was lit up along with one on my pelvis and spine. They showed up as white spots. I am driving myself crazy trying to figure it out. Do any of u know what mets look like on a bone scan? Thanks for your patience with me!0 -
slgarcia,
I get pet scans for my bone mets & could not tell you what they show. I just read the reports. You should ask for a copy of the report for each of your scans so you can compare them.
Terri0 -
slgarcia- sorry i don't know that answer. from my own experience and what others have shared, the scans aren't always definitive anyway. after an MRI, bone scan, and PET, I still needed a bone biopsy to know for sure. hoping you get good news and fast. do you have a follow up scheduled, or will they call with the results? my scans typically have a 24 hour turnaround time, so hopefully you aren't waiting long.0 -
Has anyone considered clinical trials? I am thinking about one - even though I am doing well on my current protocol (letrozole + Xgeva). The one I am considering is Pfizer's letrozole + new drug/placebo. I don't know if they would even take me since I have been on letrozole for 4 months now. Also, I don't know if they would stop the Xgeva and if that would be a mistake since it seems pretty common to get Xgeva or some kind of bisphosphonate when you have bone mets and are on aromatase inhibitors. As always, I am looking to your collective wisdom to help me research and choose my path..... Hugs to all -- "may the force be with us" (OK, I am in a corny mood tonight).0 -
More details from the results of the Phase II trial:
An experimental drug showed impressive effectiveness and safety in a mid-stage trial against a common form of advanced breast cancer.
The drug, called PD-0332991, delayed by more than 18 months the worsening of symptoms for postmenopausal women with the most common form of breast cancer.
The medicine, which blocks enzymes known as CDK4 and 6 kinases, was taken in combination with a standard drug called letrozole among women who were estrogen receptor positive - meaning tumors grow in response to estrogen - and HER2-negative, meaning that the HER2 protein is not causing the cancer. Such patients make up about 60 percent of breast cancer cases.
Patients had either locally advanced tumors or cancer that had spread to other parts of the body.
Those taking both drugs went an average of 26.1 months before tumors worsened. That compared with 7.5 months for those taking letrozole, but not PD-0332991. The 18.6 month difference was considered statistically significant.
Side effects seen in patients taking the drug combination included anemia, fatigue and neutropenia - a decline in white blood cells called neutrophils that can put patients at higher risk of infection.
Finn RS, Crown JP, Lang I, Boer K, Bondarenko IM, Kulyk SO, Ettl J, Patel R, Pinter T, Schmidt M, et al. Results of a randomized phase 2 study of PD 0332991, a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor, in combination with letrozole vs letrozole alone for first-line treatment of ER+/HER2− advanced breast cancer (BC) Cancer Research. 2012;72(24 Suppl):S1–S6.0 -
Slgarcia05 - from what I remember when seeing my bone scans, I have two types of cancers in my bones, one was dark and one was bright white. the dark was where the bone was gone or missing, the white was where there was growth. I wouldn't have been able to pick them out if the doc hadn't shown me.0 -
Had to call onc office this morning to find out when they have me scheduled for MRI. I was told they were waiting for approval from my insurance. My insurance, fortunately, covers every diagnostic test, blood work, Xrays, PET scan, MRI's etc. and I told them so. Got a call back about 20 minutes later and my MRI is scheduled for 8:45 am, Oct 16., so now I wait some more. Wouldn't be so bad, but the pain is really hindering my daily activities, and interrupts my sleep. I am beginning to feel drained trying to work 40 hour weeks. Hanging in there....off to bed early as I need some sleep. Expect to be awake around 2am as that seems to be how it is with this pain. Sleep for a couple hours, then awake, more pain meds, back to sleep for couple hours and then up and off to work. Trying to stay positive. I guess it could really be a lot worse. Believing if they felt it was really serious I would be in quicker for scans, MRI, so hoping my hip is just degenerative like my mother, and I will just need a hip replacement. HA, just a hip replacement. It's all relative now. Best to all. Goodnight.0 -
Shannon,
I have never had a bone scan, only PET scans. Still, I would try not to interpret these things yourself (that's what docs get the big bucks for!). When will your doc be giving you the results? Try to distract yourself in the meantime. I prefer a good, mindless TV show and high quality chocolate.
Caryn0 -
I had an MRI on my knee yesterday. They'd already found a cyst by ultrasound, and were looking for the cause of the cyst. Found a horizontal fracture in my tibia, so now I'm off to see an orthopod. Don't know how this is going to work out, no way I can use crutches....
Nicky0 -
Hi Ladies, (Specifically those of you treated with Zometa infusions)
I'm just navigating my way through this new mine field and wondered if any of you have ever had to interrupt your
monthly Zometa infusions due to travel or other circumstances?!!! I've just had my 3rd monthly infusion and I'm due for my 4th in a couple weeks,(But due to things beyond our control I may not be able to receive it?????) I'll then be moving home to Canada (we're currently in Abu Dhabi) and the cross over may have me missing 1 or 2 infusions. My Dr. is recommending a yr on the monthly cycle. I can't talk to him as he is out of the country and just wanted to get a quicker idea if any of you have gone through that?!?!?!!
TYIA!! Mari0 -
Mari,
I had to miss my 4th monthly Zometa treatment (started in May and missed August), because they had to put a port in ( I went in for the August infusion, but they sent me home after three nurses tried 7 times to start an IV and couldn't get a vein!) and then it was almost time for my next one by the time that was taken care of. I was told it wasn't a big problem to miss one. I imagine even two would probably be alright. Some have had to stop for awhile because of needing invasive dental work (and the trouble with ONJ) so I think it's done sometimes. Seems like I've read here that it stays in your system for awhile. I'm pretty new at all this too, so hopefully, some others will chime in know even more about it.
Amy0 -
Hi Ladies. Thank you all for your responses. I am on a roller coaster of emotion. My primary doc called me today and said the bone scan report said femur and lower spine are highly suspicious of metastatic cancer. She then called my onc, who ordered an MRI this afternoon. I go see her at 8:30 in the morning. How could this be happening? I just passed the 2 year mark and I am only 38. I am so scared, and I don't want to die. I have 3 beautiful children I just cannot leave behind. I will post again when I get the final assessment tomorrow. Maybe it is nothing. Fingers crossed. God bless!
Shannon0 -
Sigarcia05, Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Lots of hugs here, They are great support. Redroan0 -
Slgarcia, I'm so sorry that things are looking like mets for you but take it from me, another bone metser, that it really isn't the end. Bone mets can be well controlled and you can live many years with them. There was a lady who posted every cancerversary who had bone mets and she did that for nineteen years so that should give you some hope. There was also another lady who posted recently who has had bone mets for twenty eight years but she was posting because the BC had finally moved into an organ.
Please, take a few deep breaths and try not to get ahead of yourself.........there is hope and it is possible to live a very long life.
Love n hugs. Chrissy0 -
Shannon,
I am hoping with all my might that you don't have mets. But, if you do, once you get over the initial shock, there is much reason for hope and many treatments out there, not to mention new ones coming down the line. I had a single met to my upper femur, found even before I got to start chemo for what we thought was stage IIB. I have been NED on my first line AI for two years. I work full time and pretty much carry on normally. It may not last forever but as my RO said, I will be around for many years. Thinking of you.
Caryn0
