Signs & Symptoms of Secondary Cancer
Nobody 'wants' to get a secondary cancer .... but if you know 'what to look out for' - if it does occur - you should be able to get it diagnosed and treated earlier, hopefully, with a better outcome. If you are experiencing ongoing pain/discomfort or any symptoms mentioned on this website ..... See your GP or Breast Care Nurse. https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/facing-breast-cancer/secondary-metastatic-breast-cancer/secondary-breast-cancer-symptoms My motto has always been - If In Doubt, Get Checked Out. (This is a UK site - so the phone numbers don't apply to us - but the tips on what to keep an eye out for re physical changes in your body, may help further down the line.) Take care
Metastatic breast cancer diagnosis
Original post from @Arleene copied across from the Activity section. Good afternoon everyone, I had BC in 2015 and finished treatment in 2016 and did everything asked of me, in December last year I found a lump in my neck and over Christmas/New Year I underwent tests to find out in January I have MBC in my Lymph Nodes and bones luckily no organs it started rearing it's ugly head ( cancer ) about 1 and 1/2 years ago. I am going to see my oncologist this morning I have been on oral chemotherapy tablets for 3 months so I am due for a PET Scan sometimes it gets so hard to deal with, my husband and daughter are amazing and I have a good support network but no one has to deal with the pain and anxiety for me this isn't fair. Thankyou
long term herceptin for bc mets....
Found an old discussion from Kari_2015. Just wanted to let ladies know that I have been on Herceptin for 13yrs. Managing to keep lesions only in bone so pretty happy with that... Only know one other lady that is on herceptin still...been 11-12yrs for her too. My understanding is that if you are going to have problems cardiac wise it is more likely to happen in the early stages. I have reg echo's done. Get pissed off with having treatment at times but very thankful for this drug... would love to hear from others that are on herceptin long term.. cheers :)
Recent MBC - sternum
I was diagnosed with MBC on 5 November, (first diagnosed with BC in August 2016). I have been told that it's detained in the sternum and no other areas of the body and it is thought that it was there when the breast tumour was removed in Sept 16. The suggestion is that I stay on Tamoxifen or as I am premenopausal that I have my ovaries removed and I would then have access to either Palbociclib or Ribociclib. I could have a monthly ovarian suppression injection rather than have them removed. I am currently looking into the options presented and will see the medical oncologist in two weeks time. I am just wondering if there are any others here on this network that have experienced the same thing?
Biphosphonates for early hormone positive BC
Hello everyone, Ive been chatting to some women overseas and it seems that the use of biphosphonate infusions for early hormone positive BC is becoming the norm, particularly in US and Canada. I’ve read some literature which seems to draw a conclusion that by using these meds which help lower osteoclasts activity thus preventing bone loss, it also disrupted the environment for bone mets to form.. therefore improve survival. Is anyone having this discussed with them or being used currently in Australia as preventative care? My onc said only approved for bone loss in non metastatic setting in Australia currently?
Bone pain
Can anyone tell me what bone mets feels like? I have pain to my ribs which started about four months ago. I was diagnosed with stage one hormone positive BC earlier this year (no lymph node involvement). My doctors don't want to do any body scans as they think given my initial diagnosis it is unlikely to be mets. The pain comes and goes and tends to hurt more when I sit than when I stand or lie down. There is sometimes a sharp shooting pain, but mostly it's a mild, dull pain. I don't need pain killers. When I massage the area I can sometimes hear a 'clicking' sound. I'm otherwise fit and healthy and in my early thirties, so I don't think it will be arthritis. Is this type of pain consistent with bone mets?
Recurrence in rib
Hi I have recently found that my cancer has spread to one of my ribs. I was diagnosed with stage 3a in Feb 2018. Had double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and reconstruction in May this year. How does this happen? I have just completed radiation to the rib, and started on letrozole. I will start Kisqualis soon aswell. Very nervous about the whole thing. Is there anyone out there who has experienced something similar?
Bisphosphonates to reduce bone mets
I’d like to share something that I’ve learned from my oncologist. Bisphosphonates are used to reduce bone density loss in people who are being treated with AI for estrogen receptive breast cancer. One type of Bisphosphonate is zoledronic acid and is sold among other brand names as ‘aclasta’ and given as an injection. My bone density scan came back with amazing results - not a sign of osteoporosis at all, not even osteoperitic - however, my oncologist has been following the research that shows that giving zoledronic acid as part of adjuvant breast cancer treatment before there’s any indication of bone density loss, can reduce the chance of recurrence of the cancer as bone mets, particularly in post menopausal women. So off I go to get an aclasta injection. The most volatile side effect (though incredibly rare) is something called osteo necrosis of the jaw, so I had to get the all-clear from my dentist first. Here’s some research. Worth asking your oncologist if you feel you fit into the category that might benefit. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/research/adjuvant-bisphosphonates-meta-analysisDe Novo Metastatic with new progression - first post
Hi there, I am completely new to the discussion boards (first post) and trying to stay positive. I was wanting to reach out to others who might understand what I am going through. I was diagnosed de novo metastatic on 04/07/2018. Originally it was a single spot to my spine (L2) then a few weeks ago I found out there were some new spots (T12 and right sternum) and then yesterday I found out it is now also in a lot of other vertebrae, left hip and that one of my vertebrae has partially collapsed. I am on the ribociclib/letrozole combination as well as receiving monthly injections of Zoladex and Denosumab and am taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements. Unfortunately my regular oncologist was away yesterday with a really lovely trainee oncologist taking my appointment. He was very patient with me but wanted to wait until I can see my regular oncologist in two weeks time where she will discuss what happens next with treatment. He told me it was very unusual but it didn't seem the ribociclib/letrozole combination was working for me anymore but there were other treatment options available. Back in the beginning, I did get a pathological fracture to my spine (L2) which was treated after a month or so with stereotactic radiotherapy which I thought had controlled the tumour. I started experiencing pain in my lower back again and was referred to do an MRI which shows multiple new metastases. I am really worried about getting another fracture as the last fracture I had was so painful and debilitating. I really hate having cancer but I REALLY hated losing my mobility. I am 42 years old and live alone. I am currently taking extremely good care of my health (nutrition, daily low impact exercise and rest) but don't know what else to do. Is there anyone out there who might be able to give me hope or advice about ANYTHING I can do for myself to help my situation? The hardest part about this situation is I feel like I am not in control of this situation at all. I am so independent and it is hard for me to ask for help.
Bone mets vs arthritis
Hi everyone, well, today I had my first bone scan. My GP ordered it for mid upper arm pain that I've been having since the start of the year with no relief from cortisone injections etc. after the second stage of scanning they said they had found some hot spots in my spine and so I had to have a further 60 min 3D scan of spine followed by another full body CT. i do have a lot of back pain which almost makes me cry in the night.. ( hence I don't sleep much) but I've always put it down to arthritis which I have been dx with many years ago and just thought it was getting worse with age. My breast ca was only stage 1c T1c N0 M0 ....treatment was total mastectomy with no further treatment. Im feeling a tad anxious now 😕. Does anyone have any similar experiences?