treatments for bone mets

Leah_S · February 2010

I have a friend who was dx with bc a few years before me. She had multiple tumors and 22/23 nodes involved. Treatments were mast, chemo, rads, and tamox (still on tamox).

She went to her pcp recently for backaches, and due to her bc history he ordered a bone scan. It showed areas of concern on her vertibrae, and her tumor markers are up. Strongly suspicious of mets.

Her regular onc is on maternity leave, and the sub wants to wait 3 months and see what happens with tumor markers. She said she'd radiate if she were in more pain but my friend's pain levels don't warrant radiation right now. Needless to say, she's going to get a second opinion.

What's SOC for bone mets in this situation? Anyone have experience in that area?

Thanks,

Leah

3katz · February 2010

Don't blame her for getting a second opinion. Did she get a PET or CT even an MRI of the affected area? I certainly wouldn't want to wait 3 months. Thank goodness her pain is manageable. Also, tumor markers are not always the best diagnostic - they are used as a guide. I could see waiting 1 month to see what the TMs do, though. But if the bone scan show suspicion of mets, something needs to be done.

When my scans showed mets in the bones, immediately I started on zometa (a bisphosphonate for strengthening bone), started herceptin back up (is she Her2neu+?) and had a change of AI. Is your friend post-menopausal? If so, she will probably go on an AI instead of tamoxifen.

Best of luck to your friend - and you as well!! I hope she is ok and that the scan was wrong and the TMs go back down. But yeah, a 2nd opinion is the best way to go.

cmhartley · February 2010

Leah,

I too agree with what 3katz told you. I wouldn't wait another 3 months. I was diagnosed with extensive bone mets and my tumor markers were normal. I would request MRIs of the suspicious areas and then possibly a bone biopsy. As for treatment, I was also started on monthly infusions of Zometa which has helped tremendously, Lupron injections (to put me into menopause) and tamoxifen for now. I was very painful at first but that has since been controlled with my treatments.

Best wishes to your friend. I'm glad you came here but I'm sorry your friend is having to go through all of this.

Cat

Anonymous · February 2010

I had both CT scan and bone scan that said highly suspicious for mets in only one vertebra. My onc was willing to wait three months and do another scan because I had no pain and it was only in one spot. After getting home and reading the reports I decided on a bone biopsy so I could have a definitive answer. It was mets. Right now I've changed from Arimidex to Aromasin. Had another CT scan in Jan. No progression...PA said it was a little bigger. I go again the end of March for another CT scan and bone scan. I have a feeling they'll start Zometa. Frown

clemson93 · February 2010

Mentally, I surely couldn't wait 3 months. I had a suspicious area on my routine CT scan and my onc ordered a PET scan. Waiting for that was horrible much less waiting for 3 months. She should definitely get a second opinion. Once my met was discovered, I immediately had a Zometa infusion and had rads to the area because it was fairly large and in my neck area. Typically with bone mets only, I think standard of care is to start with a bone strengthening drug (Zometa) and a hormonal med. I have been on Femara (had oopherectomy/hysterectomy) since September and so far so good. I wish your friend the best of luck.

Susan

Leah_S · February 2010

Thank you to everyone who responded. I'll pass this on to her.

Also, thank you for your good wishes.

Leah

treatments for bone mets

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