Symptoms Of Brain Mets or progression?

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Hello12
Hello12 Member Posts: 33
edited June 2014 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello,

 1 Month ago my mom got good news that there was signifigant improvement of the cancer in her bones. She is ER+ and Her2-. I dont know if the scans last month were for the full body or brain, I will try to find out. But she has been getting some headaches lately, and I am starting to get a little paranoied. Her mets at the moment are only in the spine hips and sternum (and her last tumor markers were in a good range).

Despite the signifigant improvement in the scans, she has been getting some more pains in the past week, have you also experienced this? Does increased pain mean the cancer is growing? 

Do you have any advice as to what the symptoms of brain mets are?  

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  • PJB
    PJB Member Posts: 2,615
    edited April 2011

    The increase in pain has to be scary. Probably the best thing to do is to have her call her oncologist and report the problems she's having. Also, the drugs we take (and sometimes the drugs to help with the side effects) can cause their own problems. I hope it turns out to be something simple to alleviate..... Paula

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  • EnglishMajor
    EnglishMajor Member Posts: 2,495
    edited April 2011

    http://www.mdnews.com/news/2011_03/05737_marapr2011_b-aware-program

    Understanding the Symptoms. In addition to the risks, cancer patients also should recognize the common symptoms that may indicate brain metastasis. Many of the symptoms are similar to those of an acute stroke. However, the symptoms for brain metastasis typically manifest gradually as opposed to suddenly as in a stroke. Common symptoms include problems with vision, balance, speech, strength, or memory, numbness, progressive headache or seizures. Patients need to be aware that when they experience the onset of any of these symptoms, particularly when the symptoms begin to become more frequent, prolonged or become worse, they should contact their oncologist immediately. Aggressive therapies may improve outcomes when brain metastasis is diagnosed in its early stages. 

    See also...

    Breast cancer mets to the brain in about 15-20% of women with MBC. Women who are under 50 with HER2+ tumors, ER- tumors, and lung or liver mets are somewhat more likely... BRCA1 mutations are also a risk factor. Women who have HER2+ MBC have a risk of brain metastases ranging from 25-40%.
    http://wwwbrainmetsbc.org/en/content/frequently-asked-questions-about-brain-metastasis 

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  • Hello12
    Hello12 Member Posts: 33
    edited April 2011

    Thanks so much for the advice so far. She was a little stuffy today I noticed, so I'm thinking maybe its something with sinus problems.

    Anyone with brain mets that can verify some symptoms? Is it worse in the morning, night, random? 

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  • katie11
    katie11 Member Posts: 2,514
    edited April 2011

    Put your mind at rest and call your mum's onc to report the new symptoms. Any concerns are always best passed onto the doctors.

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