zometa and triple negative

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bak94
bak94 Member Posts: 1,846

My doc has now recommended zometa to prevent recurrence. I can't seem to find any research that says zometa works for triple neg, although I am weakly er pos-3%. Any other triple neg take zometa? My doc seems to be treating me very aggressively, which I told him I wanted. He also wants to ad avastin if my insurance will cover it, as he says it can be very effective for triple neg.

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  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited July 2011

    bk - my MO is having me do Zometa as well, I'm not sure when I'll start.  She said the largest benefit is to prevent mets to bones (which TN does go to), but that there are some indications that it helps to prevent mets overall.  Much like your doctor, she is throwing everything at me.

    Good luck!

  • ebann
    ebann Member Posts: 3,026
    edited July 2011

    I am on Zometa for the strengthening of my bones. I am also TN and Avastin works will with it. I also was on Abraxane. I have been on hold for almost 4 months. I had a  pet scan and surgery this June. My markers have doubled that is why my onc scheduled a pet scan. I did not know Zometa helps with recurrence. So do you have bone mets?

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited July 2011

    No bone mets, doc wants to do it as preventative. My bones seem fine, not weak or anything but I am going to have an ooph at some point. Sorry to hear about your tumor markers increasing. When do you get the pet? I hope it is something else causing the elevated tumor markers.

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited July 2011

    A study came out while I was in treatment that the benefits were mild. It was mention to me, but I think the idea was scrapped after the study came out.

    However I do take calcium regularly (more than a normal dose), because I have read that chemo weakens our bones H*LL and everything else.

  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited July 2011

    I am on a clinical trial where I get regular infusions (every three months).  At the present, it is unclear whether zometa will really help prevent recurrence. 

    Check here on breastcancer.org about the findings of the San Antonio Conference where zometa results were discussed. 

    Recent results on Zometa and recurrence? 

  • nastazia_s
    nastazia_s Member Posts: 57
    edited July 2011

    I was diagnosed recently with osteopenia and ny oncologist recommended Zometa to be used for osteoporosis prevention and for use as an anticancer but thinking about it because it has risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw and the recent findings guide to the conclusion that it is of no use as an anticancer.

    Really i'm confused and don't know what to choose.Oral medication ot Zometa?My surgeon suggests that it is better to start with oral mediacation because Zometa is too strong to be used for osteoporosis prevention.

    Any advice or similar experience?

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited July 2011

    Chinablue, the study you posted was dated 12/10, which is fairly recent, but my onc said the studiy results mentioned at the Chicago conference last month said it was beneficial. It is all so confusing to me, one study will show good results and then another contradicts it. It is the same with the parp studies. I want to do what I can to prevent mets, but at what cost, especially if there really is no proof that it will help. That is great that you are participating in a trial, so there may be better answers at some point!

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited July 2011

    My onc told me that I would have Zometa only if my bones were weak...last dexa scan results were very good.....I too take calcium also..plus 4000 IU's D3...plus my mulivitamin...

    Of course with the tons of calcium we now have to worry about our kidneys...always something.

  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited July 2011

    bk66 - I would love to read the results discussed at the Chicago conference.  Where can I find more information?

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited July 2011

    Titan-valid point. I plan on scaling back w/ all vitamins once I feel that my body has actually re-energized itself and start taking more normal doses. I just don't know when that point will be.

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited July 2011

    chinablue, I would too! I will ask my doc today, as he mentioned it while I was getting chemo, I didn't get any specifics!

  • Lovelyface
    Lovelyface Member Posts: 674
    edited July 2011

    I am 5% PR positive, 0% ER positive, and my Onc. also wants to treat me very aggressively, so prescribed zometa every 6 months, with aridimex (post menopausal).  I took zometa in Feb. and am supposed to have another infusion in August, but the aridimex did not work for me.  I developed severe neuropathy and have stopped aridimex since May 25.  i had mild bone pain, he wants to do a petscan just in case for bone mets........ it is so scary.  the bone pain is since gone.  I dont think there is any mets, I think the zometa is what gave me that mild pain.  Also, since I stopped aridimex, I think there was some hormonal imbalance....... and my whole body was a mess.  I honestly am not sure whether I want to take zometa again or not.  I am so scared right now.  My insurance company (the first part of approval) has denied the petscan.  Can you believe for a BC patient, they have denied the petscan saying the symptoms are investigational, therefore, not covered.  Anyway, my Onc. told me that for women who have any percentage of positivity of hormones should take anti-hormone therapy and zometa which has shown a 35% better survival rate.  But what these drugs do to us, I am not sure I want to live like this.  Joint pain, neuropathy, aging, etc.

  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited July 2011

    Hi bkj66,

    If you don't mind me asking, who is your doctor? I go to Swedish Edmonds Oncology, and I don't think my Dr. is aggresive at all, and in the interest of full disclosure she tends to be realistic/fatalistic. If zometa has any chance of preventing mets, I will ask my Dr about it. That's my biggest fear, my only follow-up is mammo on the cancer side every six months and both breasts every year. I am going to ask her about MRI, since I know TN can recur outside the breast. Thanks,

    Aimee

  • yellowdoglady
    yellowdoglady Member Posts: 349
    edited July 2011

    I get Zometa once a year after I cracked a rib following chemo and it turned out that my bones had thinned some in the process.

    I discussed the jaw issues with my oncologist beforehand.  His opinion was that those who have jaw issues already inveriably have preexisting oral infection issues.  So anyone with dental problems should get them resolved before taking Zometa or its sister Reclast (same med, slightly different dose).

    Zometa is used to restore bone loss due to chemo, with the hope that the added strength can maybe help protect against metastasis in the future.  Or future fractures.  At least get us back where we were before. 

      

  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited July 2011

    Aimee, I see Dr. Rivkin at the seattle tumor institute. I adore him, but his nurse said he is retiring in a couple of years, he is, after all, in his 70's. He has more energy than anyone I know and is very up on all the newest studies and reports. I saw Dr. Rinn once while my doc was on vacation and I really liked her also, so I will see her when my doc retires.

    Also, with my first breast cancer over 8 years ago I just had mammos and breast mri's for the first 5 years then just mammos (should have kept doing mri's, but insurance was giving me a hard time covering). I was stage 2b, this is a new cancer, and I am brca1 positive. So, I think it is common for stage 2 no nodes to be followed less. This time I am at least stage 3, depending on who you ask, that is why he is so aggressive. I have positive im nodes, one that has expanded past the im chain.

  • nastazia_s
    nastazia_s Member Posts: 57
    edited July 2011

    Does any of you have oral mediacation for osteopenia after triple negative breast cancer?

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