Spots on spine and liver

phoebie_cashin

Hi guys,

I'm actually posting on here on behalf of my Mum. She was diagnosed in late 2014 with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy to remover her golf ball sized cancer and removed lymph nodes (where the cancer had spread to) in Feb 2015 and then underwent 6 months chemotherapy and 6 weeks radiotherapy every day.

She had her scans about 6 weeks ago which showed spots on her spine and her liver. She went to her surgeon and specialist again a few days ago who said they may be caused by something else and that even if they were cancer it's too early to do anything about them as they are smaller than 5mm.

I understand that they may be too small to do anything about yet as apparently my mothers cancer is quite slow. However, i feel like it is a little farfetched saying the spots could just be something else? They can't/won't give her a definite answer on whether they are actually cancer or not for another three months. But we just want to know if it is likely or even possible that these spots are not cancerous or if the doctors are perhaps sugar coating it until they can be 100% positive? Please no sugar coating in your comments!

Thanks everybody

KBeee

They can't be 100% sure without a biopsy, but it must be so frustrating having to wait 3 months.

Racy

Is your mother on any treatment now, such as antihormonal pills?

Sydneyluv

A friend of mine was diagnosed with Stage 4 BC because of spots on her liver and treated as if she was 4th stage. Several months later another friend recommended she consult at MD Anderson where she was told that the lesions on her liver probably were not BC Mets, and that she should have a liver biopsy. She ended up having 2 and it turned out that she did not have liver Mets and in fact had Stage 2 BC. So, it's true, the docs can't tell without a biopsy. Be patient.

phoebie_cashin

Hi,

Yes she is currently on antihormonal pills

Racy

The antihormonal drug may shrink any cancer. That is the good news. But if it shrinks, that is evidence that the spots were cancer. Make sure that your mum has the best doctor. There are many treatments for hormone positive cancer.

Moderators

Phoebie -- just letting you know we're thinking of you and your mom. Please keep us posted as you find out more!

--The Mods