Mom Stage 1, 8 Years Ago, Now Mets to T12 in Spine

DaughterK

My Mom had Stage 1, 8 years ago, no lymph nodes, lumpectomy, radiation, no chemo, Tamoxifin thereafter.  Her annual Onco check up showed her tumor markers were elevated 38 then 43.7 (two different tests) a few weeks ago.  She has since had a bone scan, a PET, and an MRI and they said they found evidence in T12 of her spine but not in any other organs or bones.  She will have 3 weeks of radiation and is going on Zometa and Fulvestrant monthly.  Everything I have read about Mets anywhere seem to eminate from much higher initial stages at original diagnosis.  I am trying to keep the faith and will definitely be upbeat and positive for her.  They won't biopsy because of the location but it sure seems like there is a lot of evidence out there suggesting that some lesions aren't really cancer?  She also has some back arthritis as well as a history of her Ostepoosis in her family.  I almost wonder if there is any chance this actually isn't cancer?  Can anyone lend any similar experiences of the path she is on ?

SoutherMother

DaughterK, I had <1cm tumor, no nodes involved, radiation tx, chemo tx, but then a PET scan (at my insistence)  found a tumor in my T-8.  Two spine biopsies later, no proof of cancer but the metabolic activity kept going up higher. All my doctors believed it to be cancer, but thought it was knocked back a notch or two because I had received chemo.  My blood work continues to show tumor markers as normal.  The PET scan should be able to tell the difference between arthritis and cancer.  Do you know what the uptake value was on the PET scan?  It's true that some lesions aren't cancer. Has your Mom ever been exposed to T.B.?  Paget's disease?   My neurologist, radiation oncologist, oncologist, bone doctor?, breast surgeon, etc... have all agreed that if their mother or sister had my tumor without a biopsy to prove it, they would still recommend radiation treatment if it started to grow.  We did just that, low radiation tx for three weeks, when the uptake went hypermetabolic on the PET scan.  I am receiving Zometa every six months and take Arimidex.  I won't do chemo again until we get histological proof.  Which won't happen with my T-8 as it can not take any more pokes.  I've heard the Zometa helps with osteoporosis so that should help your Mom no matter what.  I know it is hard to believe it could be mets.  It doesn't seem right.  Somewhere in all my research, I believe the chance of cancer spreading without it showing in the lymph nodes was 5%.  And then of that 5%, I believe only 7% will present with mets as a solitary spinal tumor.  If the solitary tumor is mets, I am happy to have only that.  It is manageable. I just don't do roller coasters anymore.

luvtotravel

I was stage 1, no lymph nodes and did chemo, rad, and tamoxifen.  I am now stage IV with mets to liver and bone.  Unfortunately it is possible.