possible bone mets?

Options
Dortey
Dortey Member Posts: 20
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Dear all

I hope somebody can help me. My mum was diagnosed with Stage IIB breast cancer 3 years ago, ER and PR positive. There was one positive lymph node out of 3. She used to be on Tamoxifen until ovary removal because of a dermoid cyst which was thought to be cancerous, but luckily, it turned out to be benign. Now she takes Arimidex.

She has a moveable lump on her forehead. It is not big, it is not even visible. It is rather soft. She had a bone scan in May and it didn't show anything, so according to those results she has no bone mets.

My question is: Can this little forehead lump be mets to the bone?? Or can Arimidex cause such a lump? I'm really worried about that.

I am looking forward to your help. 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • EnglishMajor
    EnglishMajor Member Posts: 2,495
    edited October 2011

    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sebaceous-cysts/DS00979

     That sound more indicative of a harmless cyst type thing. Take care.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dortey
    Dortey Member Posts: 20
    edited October 2011

    Thank you very much for your help. :). So a bone scan would have indiciated it if it were cancerous? She doesn't know exactly how long this lump has been on her forehead, because her fringe is used to be on the other side. :S

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited October 2011

    It's most likely harmless. I had a cyst on my hand before BC and it eventually disappeared. It's a good practice to get any changes checked by a doctor though.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dortey
    Dortey Member Posts: 20
    edited October 2011

    Is bone metastases always painful? What are the symptoms? I read that it can spread to the skull, but what is the symptom of bone cancer in the skull? lump, swelling and pain?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited October 2011

    Hi Dortey,

    Bone mets do not always hurt, but when they do it is usually an ache that tends to get worse over many months.  Most bone mets show up in ribs, hips, spine, and pelvis, though you are correct they can also appear in the skull.  I don't think they show up as a bump though.  If her bone scan was clear in May, you can probably rule out bone mets at this point.  

    As someone on the boards taught me a long time ago, not all pain is cancer.  Hopefully the bump is something harmless and your doctor can give you a conclusive diagnosis.  Best of luck. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • annafrederik
    annafrederik Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2011

    I have mets to my skull. (just found out a couple of days ago). I often have a headache just above my browline but my met is further up by my hairline. If the lump is moveable, I think you can be safe in assuming it's not mets. Mine doesn't move, just a hard, solid lump.  I agree with the others; probably a cyst. Hope that's what it turns out to be.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories