Waiting to have bone biopsy. Possible metastasis.

Kpif83

Hi everyone. I don't post, mainly read. But I have a feeling I may be around a bit more often. I could really use some blunt, experienced advice. While I appreciate my Drs sugar coating things, it's not who I am.

Little background, I'm 34 and was initially diagnosed in April 2016 with stage 2a, grade 3 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy in June 2016 which showed the cancer was spread further in my breast than anticipated. Despite having a mastectomy, I still needed radiation because they couldn't get clear margins. So mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and currently on tamoxifen. Radiation was completed in December of last year.

Back pain started 3 weeks ago after a road trip. Nothing eases this pain. Worse at night when I'm sleeping, complete agony. Went to onc, she ordered an MRI (while assuring me it's probably sciatica). MRI showed an enhancement in my L5 vertebrae. CT ordered. 1.7cm lytic lesion in my L5 vertebrael body. My Dr called, said most of these things are benign, but we need to do a biopsy. I went and got my images and report......."highly suspicious for metastatic disease". Images reveal a good chunk of bone just gone.

Everything I read, everything I feel tells me I'm about to be diagnosed stage 4. Only my husband and mother know this. I need more support right now and I'm afraid of telling more people to get the support I need (I'm a talker, it makes me feel at ease) only to find out it's not what I think it is. I don't want to impose this on others to find out it's nothing.

What are your experiences with this? Are radiologists pretty accurate in their diagnosis? Or are they playing it safe because I have a precious breast cancer diagnosis? I just can't wrap my head around any other diagnosis given that a piece of bone is missing and my pain is so bad, especially at night. Nothing makes a difference.

Thanks,

Kate

Catsme

Hi Kate, sorry you're going through this. I can't offer a lot of experience or advice, but wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and sending hope and prayers your way.

I had severe hip and lower back pain not long after my diagnosis and surgery. My onc ordered a bone scan that showed arthritis in back and knees. So I do appreciate the anxiety you are feeling waiting for the next steps in the process.

Take care. Maybe the ladies in the bone mets thread could help?

illimae

My initial staging scans upon biopsy confirmation of BC revealed a suspicious lesion to my hip bone, the hip bone biopsy was fine (just don't google it first, I did and freaked myself out for nothing), so Stage IV from the get go. Yeah, it sucks but bone only mets have a pretty favorable outcome and there are many treatment options in general. I take vitamin D and have an Xgeva shot every 6 weeks for bone health/strength, fortunately no pain, I think it was caught early. If that is a BC met and the only one, or one of a few, you'd probably be considered oligometastic.

Dukip

So sorry you are going through this horrible time.

Big hug. X

Kpif83

Oh I am so glad I posted, thank you so much. I have never heard of the term "oligometastic". So far its a single lesion. My onc did call me yesterday telling me it's cancer and the biopsy is mainly for confirmation and treatment plan. I'm going to push for a pet scan to confirm this is the only lesion or one of few, hopefully isolated to only my skeleton.

sbelizabeth

https://breastcancer-news.com/2017/10/11/researche...

This is an article describing a new way of delivering chemo specifically targeted to the bone. The research was just released.

Sending you gentle hugs as you navigate this speed bump!

Minnie31

hi Kate

I was diagnosed stage 4 a year ago in my hip. Treatment is good, my pain has lessened and I have no other bone mets. Good luck x