MRI shows mass on Lumbar 1

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I have not had the biopsy yet but what are my chances of it being benign. What do I even ask the dr. I wish I would have asked how big it is and if it is only one. Does the biopsy of the spine hurt.

Worrying about all things.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2021

    I had a bone biopsy to L1 also - I was under anesthesia- “twilight sleep” where you’re not fully unconscious but can’t feel anything and aren’t fully awake, either.

    Was not painful, was a little achy afterward, it was same day surgery. Rested for the next day and was fine after that.

    The MRI can’t really tell you if it’s cancer or not, they really have to do the biopsy to be sure

  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021

    so you are saying it probably is malignant did you have chemo or radiation for it when they say a mass is it inside the bone or on the outside

    Did you have it removed as it is affecting my nerves and I can’t walk

    Thanks for respindin

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2021

    When the mets are causing pain or nerve problems, they can do radiation to the site. Usually, surgery is done for fractures, not sure if there are other cases where surgery is done. And, if you only have the one bone lesion, they might do radiation right away.

    I had chemo, Herceptin and Perjeta because I was HER2+. They will test your biopsy sample for hormone and HER2 receptors because it can change from your original diagnosis and treatment will depend on that result. If you’re ER positive but not HER2 you might get Ibrance

    I had numerous bone mets not just one, and was not in pain.

    the onc said no radiation or surgery at first but once all my mets shrunk and only one spine met showed activity on my scans, then they radiated that one. I have been NED for two years now.

    PS - I am not saying you probably have cancer, there’s no way for me to know that. An MRI shows possible masses but it can’t see the metabolic activity like a pet scan can. And even with PET there are false positives. I know the waiting is hard but it’s all we can do. Take care.

  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2021

    positive,

    Sorry that you find yourself here. I have had a bone biopsy and like olma had twilight sleep sedation. I didn't feel a thing nor did I care (thank you Versed!) I don't mean to speak for olma but I don't think she is saying it is malignant. What she is saying is that imaging sees something but imaging can't diagnose what that something is, hence the need for a biopsy. The biopsy is what will determine what it is so please don't make yourself crazy by speculating on what you don't know yet.

    Pain from bone mets can be treated with radiation (I had rads x15) and most people seem to find good pain relief from rads. As for chemo that will depend on your particular situation and that will be decided when you meet with your mo to discuss a tx plan (if indeed you have mets). I have never had chemo, just rads to the bone met and various AI's for ten years! Last with respect to the location of your met on the bone, this would be a question to ask your mo. Bone marrow mets can happen but are more rare.

  • Rain88
    Rain88 Member Posts: 167
    edited June 2021

    Positive2strong, as you can see in my signature, my cancer was also mucinos. Mucinous cancer is unlikely to spread, and you probably already know that. What I want to add is that I also had a bone scan a year ago that got me unsettled because there were quite a few areas of small and medium intake, including in the spine. I thought there would be biopsies, but instead my doctor advised to wait and follow up in 3 months. The next scan showed that those areas remained the same, so my report says "not convincing for metastases ", thank God! I will have another scan next month to follow up after one year. I wonder why your doctor wordered a biopsy. Did the tumor grow or was it of a larger size from the beginning? Regardless, chances are it will be benign. Sending you positive thoughts and lots of hugs.


  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021
  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021

    Thank you, I didn't ask how large it is. I was in shock as I have almost put BC behind me.

    I never took the hormone pills yes I am kicking myself big time.

    I had a vit D deficiency before BC.

    I just had my mammogram and it was clear.

    This started in Jan where my right leg was not right after sitting down but not pain was limitedand once I walked it was gone.

    It just kept getting worse until I could barely walk pain in my leg when I walked

    Of course I worried about lung cancer from radiation but not this

    I so appreciate this group and really don't know how to stay positive

  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021
  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited June 2021

    Don't kick yourself about not taking the anti-hormonals. When you made the choice not to take them you did what you thought was best at the time with what you knew. You had no crystal ball; none of us do. Now that I've said that, I imagine a certain amount of self flagellation would be something many of us would want to do so indulge it a little and then move on. Regardless of how hard we look back over our shoulders we can never go back. Take a deep breath and move forward. It's all any of us can do. 💗

    PS: You don’t have to be positive all the time. Let yourself experience the full range of emotions and then distract yourself when the negative thoughts overwhelm

  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021
  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021

    my microscopic description says just over 50% of the tumor is comprised with tumor cells floating within mucin.

    Mitotic activity is slightly lower than the mutinous component


  • Positive2strong
    Positive2strong Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2021

    Dear Olma

    I am happy to hear you are NED. I am not able to do too much because it is difficult to walk. I did learn the mass is contained and about 1 to 2 cm

    But biopsy dr said she thought I also had lesion on my liver. So I get scan on Monday.

    My husband is 16 yrs older than me and I basically do so much. He never was very domestic.

    My thoughts and emotions are pretty dark and just admire you and those that push through

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