bone metastases nd further management

Nadra

My name in Nadira Mirani and I live in Lahore, Pakistan.

I have been diagnosed with bone metastases following the Breast Cancer.

I was diagnosed carcinoma of right breast since 2006. I underwent wide local excision and axillary node dissection in Jan 2006 which showed infiltrating ductal carcinoma

G11  T2NoMo,ER+/PR+,HER-2 neu Negative. I received chemotherapy ACx3. Had FNA proven scar recurrence in April 2006foe which I underwent right modified radical mastectomy, histopathology showed no residual tumor. There after, I received adjuvant chemotherapy Taxotere x 4 that finished in Aug 2006. It was followed by radio therapy

 to chest wall 6000cGY/30# which finished in November 2006. Since then I am on Temoxifen and on regular follow ups.

 Every thing including: memogram, ultrasound Abdomen and pelvis, X ray chest and bone scan were normal till now. 1 week back I had a routine follow up where bone

scan revealed that metastases have occurred. X ray chest and ultrasound abdomen and pelvis are normal. I am suffering from pain in right hip and arm.

The doctors at the hospital where I am being treated (Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital) have advised to radiate right hip 300cGY in 10#.

Apart from that they plan to start bisphosphonate  monthly and change temoxifen to letrozole 2.5mg OD. However upon consulting other oncologist, i was advised to first take FSh, LH and erstradiol tests, which revealed that my harmone level, particularly is not in post menopausal range.

I am very uncertain about what I should do and therefore seek your opinion in this regard. Moreover I want to know that what are the prospects

of being cured and if there is any other treatment that you offer and consider is better.

drgnfly

I am so sorry to hear of your bad news. You might find more responses if you post your question on the recurrance thread. Those ladies have many answers and hopefully can give you the information that you need to make a treatment plan.

vhqh

It sounds to me like your doctors are being thorough.  Bisphosphonates strengthen the bones and there is some indications that they might help prevent spread, I am on Zometa.  Radiation is a standard treatment for bone mets and usually relieves the pain fairly quickly.  Generally once you are diagnosed as stage IV they will not ever consider you cured although you can become NED (no evidence of disease).  The only suggestion I would make is to consider a vitamin D and calcium supplement if you are not already on one.  I would recommend you visit the Reoccurance and Metastatic forum, there is also a forum for those that are hormone positive, I am fairly new to dealing with cancer and there may be others who have more experience that can help you better.