67 Male Metastatic Breast Cancer
Good Morning My 67 year old dad was diagnosed at the end of February with Her2 negative breast cancer. He had a mastectomy of the left breast and sentinel lymph nodes removal in March. A week later he had a second surgery to do axilla node removal as 3 of the 5 nodes removed were positive for cancer from the first surgery. The second surgery removed a further 17 nodes all were negative. He had a PET CT scan just before first surgery which came back all clear except for some haemangioma which was not mentioned to us at the time. He was classed as a 2B stage and referred for chemo, radiation and hormone therapy. Things looked positive. At the first appointment with the medical oncologist she booked dad in for chemo, but also mentioned that the PET scan he had done previously showed an area in the T 1 of his spine that should be investigated further as it could be a possible metastasis or a haemangioma. No idea why the breast surgeon missed that in the PET report. Dad did a MRI which unfortunately showed possible metastasis in his T1, T6, T9 and L1. He then had a bone scan which showed same results along with 2 small spots on his ribs. Oncologist has canceled chemotherapy and radiation before it’s even started and put dad on tamoxifen and abemaciclib. He will start denosumab bone injections in about 2 months as he had to pull 2 teeth out to be able to get dental clearance for them. He did a bone biopsy of his L1 yesterday even though oncologist was adamant he didn’t need to do it as the metastasis is confirmed with the scans. Results are pending. His bloodwork is ‘normal’. No radiation has been recommended for now as dad has no pain. The last 2 months has been an emotional rollercoaster. There is very little information out there on male breast cancer. We’re unsure why the PET scan was cleared by the breast surgeon but it turns out there is actually metastatic disease on his spine and ribs. We’re not sure the wait and see approach is ok with us. Do most metastatic breast cancer patients receive chemo and radiation or just hormone blocking therapy. Also not happy bone injections are delayed for 2 months but nothing is replacing it for now. We’re tempted to see another oncologist for a second opinion on treatment. What are your thoughts on dad’s situation?
6 years cancer free...then I'm not
Hi all, just wanted to share a little about my journey and was also wanting some advice... My story begins in December 2016, found a lump in my right breast after running my first marathon (lost quite a bit of weight with all the training). fast forward 11 surgeries-lumpectomies, sentinel node biopsies, egg harvesting/preservation, bilateral mastectomies and insertion of silicone implants, removal of said implants, cesaerean section, hysterectomy, bilateral DIEP reconstruction and fat grafting and we get to 2022. I had my DIEP recon in 2021 (most horrific experience of my life-had to be resuscitated twice and in ICU for a week). After all that, I decided to celebrate the end of my cancer journey with my second marathon (great ocean road-bucket list and definitely recommend). Unfortunately, December 2022, have found out I have had a recurrence of the cancer (despite bilateral mastectomies and reconstructions) and it has now spread to my lymph nodes. I really don't know how to feel about this...so much has changed for me in the last 6 years since my diagnosis, I went from being happily married with no kids the first time around, to now seperated, single parent to a beautiful 5 year old that starts school next year, and a completely different job. I guess my question to you all is...is there anyone else out there who has/is going through the same? I know that I have both Chemo and radiation plus multiple surgeries in my immediate future. I feel...tired...like I really just don't know if I have the strength to endure this again. I am considering not going through any treatment and enjoying the time I have left with my son. I don't want to go through all the treatment and lose the quality of life I have now, especially if I could potentially die on the operating table anyway. I was 31 when first diagnosed and am 37 now, any thoughts?
Radiation on hip bone.
Hi, have metastatic breast cancer , left breast, left lymph and two lesions in hip bone, just finished six months chemo, 4 AC/T and 12 Taxol. no change , so semi good news. Have a lot of pain in my hip even if keeping very active , onc. suggested radiation for pain , now he is saying it can kill or slow down tumors in hip area. has anyone had this done and what has been the outcome .soon to have double mastectomy. Only 49 so don't want to limit treatment options but confused ......cheers Silvia
Help for Oesophageal burns
just looking for suggestions i have just completed 10 radiation sessions to thoracic spine and am suffering big time from oesophageal burns I’m on a liquid diet and using mylanta with xylocaine gel 4 Hourly but it’s waking me at night and lack of sleep is hard too soluable panadol is ok but is there any other tricks to settle the reflux like symptoms? p
Radiation treatment.
Today I finished my radiation treatment I was having to help elevate the pain I was having from my bone mets in my lower back and hip area. I'm glad that's over . I was starting to feel like a barbarqued chook,! I do feel that it has helped as I can now lay on my bed without being in pain. I seem to be sleeping much better. They same it can take up to 4 weeks to get th maximum effect. I can now look forward to a couple of weeks off , before going back onto IV chemo. Life goes on , no time to get bored. Hope to get away for a few days break. Love to you all.
Triple negative metastatic breast cancer in brain
Hi all My Mum is currently living with mTNBC which is in her bones and late last year moved to her brain. She has had one treatment of whole brain radiation therapy and continues to be treated with chemotherapy also for the rest of her body. Is anyone familiar with any trials or new treatment options available to women in a similar situation? Mum is based in Melbourne, but we are open to looking whenever is needed. I would appreciate only positive stories to be shared in response to the question, as you can appreciate it is a very specific diagnosis and a difficult one at that so we are trying to remain hopeful. Can anyone relate to a similar diagnosis and have any suggestions? Thanks
Secondary
Hi All, I was diagnosed with IBC on 18/10/11. Had the usual treatment, including Herceptin & Tamoxifen. Was going well until I was diagnosed with brain mets on 20/6/14. I had a 3cm tumour removed on 24/6/14 and 10 treatments of WBRT. I have a few lesions on my meninges and 2 on my spinal cord. My prognosis isn't very good but I have hope. A doctor told my mum because I had such a good response to radiotherapy to my breast there's no reason not to expect a good response to my brain. I'm currently very weak because of the steroids and nauseous from the WBRT. I'm just waiting for normal to kick in so I can have my quality of life back. I'm over being sick and tired and my kids who are on 13, 10 & 3 deserve a mum who can take them to school/daycare, come to their sport and help them at home. SueSecondary
Hi All, I was diagnosed with IBC on 18/10/11. Had the usual treatment, including Herceptin & Tamoxifen. Was going well until I was diagnosed with brain mets on 20/6/14. I had a 3cm tumour removed on 24/6/14 and 10 treatments of WBRT. I have a few lesions on my meninges and 2 on my spinal cord. My prognosis isn't very good but I have hope. A doctor told my mum because I had such a good response to radiotherapy to my breast there's no reason not to expect a good response to my brain. I'm currently very weak because of the steroids and nauseous from the WBRT.
