Anyone have Retinal Tumor from Breast Mets?

SusaninSF

Anyone have Retinal Tumor from Breast Mets?

SusaninSF

I was experiencing some distorted vision so went to the Ophthalmologist.  He shocked me when he said there was a mass on the back of my retina and he thought it might be metastasis from some other cancer.  I had DCIS twice, the last 8 years ago.  Nodes clean.  Full unilateral mast.  Apparently, retinal tumors don't happen on their own, they are pretty much always the results of mets, generally lung or breast.

Scheduled to have a PET-CT scan and orbital MRI on Friday.  Scared and shocked!  I have been having annual mammograms and nothing showed on the last one.  I have had a persistent cough for the last four months but so have a lot of people.  Anyone else experience something like this?

Best, Susan

jill47

Hi Susan,  I'm sorry to hear about the new tumor.   At my first eye and dental appointments post dx, both doctors insisted to do extra exams with eyes and in mouth & neck to check for mets; my eye doc said bc does like to go to the eyes.  BC dx puts our doctors on alert to look deeper and more closely.  I have a persistent cough for the last year too, which occurs during sleep, I don't remember them but DH says I wake him up, most likely a sleep disorder.  Blessings to you.  Jill

doxie

Susan,

First keep in mind he said "might" be a metastasis.  He didn't say it was.  He is being extra cautious because of your history.  I've had a few wild goose chases because of eye SEs on AIs.  

Yes, BC can cause tumors in the eye and a good eye doctor will check for these.  Mets to the eye are rare, and with your history of only DCIS it would be extraordinarily rare.  The DCIS would have had to changed to IDC somewhere along the line.

Any problem is the eye is not welcome, but let's hope everything turns out ok for no BC tumor or anything else wrong, but an overly cautious doctor.  

SusaninSF

Thanks jill47 and doxie!  I hadn't had someone look at my eyes in 14 years since I had lasik and no longer need contact lenses.  I had no idea that I should be checked.

My oncologists thought it was odd too given my previous two bouts were only DCIS.  I'm not too worried about my eye at this point, just the possibility of metastasis.  The Ophthalmologist was so sweet and looked so sad and devastated by what he thinks is my condition.  But, as you said, not a certainty yet.  I mean the eye tumor is a certainty but not the metastasis.  Will hopefully know more after my scans tomorrow.

Appreciate your thoughts!

Nan54

Thinking of you and hoping for clean scans and an unrelated, easily treatable eye condition!

SusaninSF

Well the doc just called and I have a  4cm mass on my right lung, a bunch of enlarged lymph nodes, spots on my brain and breast in addition to the eye tumor.  Definitely not good news.

bevin

Dear Susanin SF, I'm so sorry to hear this news.  I am hoping you have family around you to support you. Praying for you and wishing you strength. Please keep us posted.

SusaninSF

Thanks Bevin!  Guess I will move over to the Stage IV board :-(

doxie

So very sorry Susan.  I hope they can get you onto effective treatment soon.

SusaninSF

Thanks Doxie!  Best to you!

Nan54

So very sorry to hear this... Wishing you strength and hoping that they get you on treatments that kick the @$!& out of that cancer!

lindacam

Hi.  I dont have mets but just wanted to say I am truly sorry.  If you need someone to vent to pm me anytime.

Linda

SusaninSF

Thanks Nan54 and lindacam!  Cancer sucks!!!