How long with brain mets?

Bruburn · January 2012

Stats on the boards tend to be better than those in the literature...let's see if that holds true for brain mets too.

B

banjobanjo · January 2012

I'm with you on that...

pq2 · January 2012

Survival stats on brain mets are not indicative, you are right. Way too many variables. My treatments aren't even finished but I'm clearing!! It CAN BE DONE sisters!

Fitztwins · January 2012

I know two at my cancer center who have gone 3 & 7 years! respectively...it ain't over until it is over!

Remember, there are long term survivors, and why not you? All it takes is if those buggers respond and die to the radiation...and if they stay away.

I am not a susie miss sunshine, but I have seen real life stories where it happens!

jenrio · January 2012

I know a brain mets sister with 4+ years. Now brain mets have a lot more options: Cyberknife, GammaKnife, Craniosurgery, WBR. Xeloda, Tykerb, Much better than before.

sincitydealer · January 2012

Seven years for a friend of mine. He's still going to work everyday and doing fine.

Peggy

bestfriend05 · January 2012

a very good post , mom just 3 months in to treatment now, but have done some research on net and found some inspirational and positive stories:

here is a lady with 6 years brain mets and WBR:

http://brainmetsbc.org/index.php?q=node/68

a young lady in her 20's probably, fighting brain mets since 2010, has undergone WBR and gamma knife:

http://www.ajc.com/jobs/a-spirit-undaunted-1207178.html

a story of ongoing determination, fighting spirit and hope:

http://www.anahope.net/blog

very famous strong woman christine druther long term survivor with brain mets:

http://www.friendsinneed.com/journal/christined.htm

chainsawz · January 2012

This July will be 3 years :>

Bernicky · January 2012

Lynn managed a little over 4 years. There are so many variables. Combination surgery/radiation is more effective than just radiation or just surgery. HER2 positive opens up the posibilities of additional drug treatments conversely HER2 negative and neutral don't. Placement of the mets is also important. A single met can be a good sign or problematic with Lynn her first brain met was wrapped around the middle cerebral artery next to the motor cortex - not a good presentation for resection. Everyone is going to be different.

lovehersomuch · January 2012

Sister is on 2 years and they ahve been the least of her problems.

jintski · January 2012

Denis mentioned HER2+ having more treatment options, that certainly seem to support what I have read. I seem to be in the minority being HER2- and having brain mets. How many others on here with brain mets are HER- or does anyone know what the ratio is?

apple · January 2012

i was talking a couple years ago with 'my' brain surgeon. I have a benign tumor (pretty big actually) and we were discussing the possibility of removing it. Anyway, he said people are always freaking about brain tumors.. and he said.. actually they are often relatively easy to treat in comparison to tumors in other areas.

I was kind of floored but hope you do well. It is scary transversing the course of our advancing disease.. isn't it?

shudder.

Waldmeister001 · January 2012

This February will by 2 years

worriednlost · May 2012

@ jintski. My mom was just diagnosed with brain mets. She is also HER-, triple negative all together and her cancer is inflammatory. After seeing the oncologist he did not provide much hope for treatments. Saying that chemo will not pass the blood brain barrier. We are in Canada. So far the only treatment offered is 5 days of whole brain rads. I hope doctors will be able to find some other treatment. Frown

alesta29 · May 2012

Hi and sorry to hear about your mom. There is a specific brain mets sisters thread and you might try reading through that and perhaps asking for some advice there.

There are some chemos which can pass into the brain and many women respond to WBR.

Laurie x