Symptoms of cancer spreading !!!!

scaredashell07

I am getting my surgery in 2 weeks. An feeling some pain in hips and some in other side (healthy breast). Doc says its in my head and that the cancer I have (moderate growth) wouldn't have symptoms of metastisis that early? I had a pet scan and came back fine but is that enough to confirm???

NancyHB

I know this is a really scary time, and it's easy to worry about every little bump, lump, ache and pain. When you have a concern you should check with your doctor - and you've done that. You've had a PET scan, too - pretty much the gold standard for finding mets - and it's come back clean, which would indicate this is not mets. My understanding is that bone mets don't typically hurt until they're larger, more advanced, or in a bone that is fracture or damaged enough to break - which would show up on PET.

But you still hurt. Yes, it could be "in your head" - stress and worry can do terrible things to our bodies, particularly when we're worried about something like mets. It's quite possible that your pain is related to something completely not mets - injury, sleeping wrong, pinched nerve in your back, new shoes, lots of different things.

hopefully you find the reason behind your pain soon.

scaredashell07

Thanks NancyHB - I am scared that I ma waiting too long for surgery. I am driving myseld crazy. I have two littlw ones and cant help think that I am going to leave them without a mom way too soon. I will try and stop thinking for now. surgery 11/9

IllinoisNancy

My PET scan was clear along with ultrasound but I have cancer again on both sides. The only sure way to know is a biopsy.

Yham

Hi im from the Philippines, stage 2-1 Invasive ductal carcinoma with Ductal carcinoma in-situ component..i went through mastectomy last oct.19, but still there's a series of laboratories and test before chemo starts...Afraid also about the situation but we guy's need to be courageous God is bigger than our situation..

Mickey091

Wishing you all well. I am kind of just beginning this journey. I kept to myself, but start chemo 1/5/2017. I am not sure I wanted chemo, but my daughter thinks it's best. Another scare I had is about a 2 inch cist in my left breast, but they didn't feel I should remove that one as it was benign, that is the reason they found the cancer in the right breast and over 2cm. Anyhow, going on, does anyone know if the chemo will kill any cancer cells in the left breast if it spread.I thought they should have taken both, but they insist taking only the right breast was necessary??? Now I am super stressed about the left breast, am I obsessing

ElaineTherese

Hi Michelle!

Chemo is systemic treatment; it is supposed to kill cancer cells floating around in your bloodstream and lymph system. So, theoretically, it could kill any cancer cells floating around in your left breast. However, if you were to have non-invasive cancer (in situ) in your left breast, chemo wouldn't affect that.

Bilateral cancer (cancer in both breasts) is pretty rare, though you will meet women on this board who have been diagnosed with cancer in both breasts.

I'm sorry that your cancer team discouraged a bilateral mastectomy, since you may have felt more comfortable with your surgeon removing both breasts. Many women do opt for a bilateral mastectomy because they fear bilateral cancer or they don't want to undergo routine mammograms on their healthy breast or they are searching for symmetry (matching breasts) via reconstruction.

You can still opt to have your left breast removed later if that's what you decide is best for you. You are the patient; your doctors should do what is best for you.

Best wishes!

labelle

It is unfortunate that your doctors have dismissed this pain as being "all in your head." Your pet scan was fine, but breast cancer does not inoculate us from other health problems. I had lots of hip pain around the time I was diagnosed with BC. An MRI of my hip, ordered by an orthopedist, showed an acetabular tear in my right hip. If you have undiagnosed pain, you should receive the medical attention needed to get a proper diagnosis. Lots of things that aren't BC, and aren't "all in your head," can cause pain.