Stage 1 to mets?

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sweeney
sweeney Member Posts: 353
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi everyone,



Just a question for anyone who may have ideas on this. I was diagnosed ith stage one no lymph node involvement BC in 2010. Did chemo, rads and a lumpectomy. For the last five weeks I've had a terribly achey hip. I called my onco and she is fitting me in tomorrow. What are the chances that I could have jumped to mets from stage one? I never had any all over body cans as my doc said they weren't needed back when I was diagnosed. I'm pretty scared about this. Any thoughts on likelihood would be really appreciated.



Thank you do much ladies...

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  • JoanQuilts
    JoanQuilts Member Posts: 633
    edited June 2012

    Sweeney - it CAN happen that a stage 1 tumor can metastasize, but it is less likely than if you had, let's say, a larger tumor or numerous positive nodes.

    Achy hips can be caused by any of a number of things, but you and your doc are doing the right thing in checking it out.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your worrying is for nothing.

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited June 2012

    I'm glad our doctor is taking care of you and checking this pain out.  It could also be nerve pain. I had terrible pain in my hips and had a impinged nerve in my back.  Had some epidural shots and pain is gone. I hope your situation is as benign as mine was. 

    Keep us posted.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited June 2012

    Are you taking tamoxifen or any of the anti-hormonals?  They can make you ache. 

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited June 2012

    I noticed you did chemo. What was your oncotype score? I am 19 and not having chemo. Sorry I got side tracked when I noticed our cancer is the same and you had chemo. I may get second opinion.

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  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited June 2012

    Sweeney,

    Ask about lymphovasular invasion.  I had your diagnosis and believed I was all good with no nodes involved but just found out that I was positive for above.  Also found out that they are now seeing that as the "equivalent" of positive nodes.  So ask...

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  • sweeney
    sweeney Member Posts: 353
    edited June 2012

    Hi everyone, thanks for your responses and ideas. I'll see my onco tomorrow and will hopefully have some picture of the next step.



    @Beckers I think the difference between our situations is that I only had a lumpectomy. My oncotype was 19 too, but I know women who did mastectomies and were told not to worry about chemo. Hope that helps.

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  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited June 2012

    I had hideous hip pain - went to onc, she asked what my orthopedist thought.

    Orthopedist (my favorite MD in the entire universe), says that if it's right in the joint, the odds of it being bursitis are high.
    She wants her patients to get as little radiation as possible, so she suggested 2 weeks of ibuprofin and ice packs, then if it was still there, bone scan.

     Pain was gone in a week, so I seem to still be NED.

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited June 2012

    I wonder why they did not do any scans in the begining???? That seems unusual....I am sure you are fine esp. if you are on any anti hormonals..............Lots of hip pain on those...........I needed a bone scan due to hip pain, all was fine and I was not stage 1.....................Praying for you.................

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited June 2012

    They don't routinely do a lot of scans for stage I and II anymore  I had cat scans to set up for rads, and an MRI before surgery, but no bone scans or pet scans or...

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited June 2012

    I had no scans also... And I agree that your hip pain is probably orthopedic...

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  • LittleMelons
    LittleMelons Member Posts: 273
    edited July 2012

    Hi Sweeney - Have you had any news yet about your aching hip?  I have an achey shoulder and hip where the pain comes and goes.  In the hospital where I was diagnosed it was routine to give all patients with BC bones scans and abdominal ultrasounds, regardless of stage.  My BS said that no other hospital here (Toronto) does this.  Both the bone scan and ultrasound showed up things that had to be further investigated and eventually found to be benign.

     I have a similar diagnosis as yours and Beckers, but did not do chemo.  My Onc also wouldn't order an Oncotype test as he said it wouldn't change his treatment plan.  Why did your Onc want an oncotype test when you are stage 1, Sweeney?  I don't think they are routine here as they are in the US.

    Hope you have some news and it is a benign problem that can be quickly remedied! 

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  • LtotheK
    LtotheK Member Posts: 2,095
    edited July 2012

    I was in your boat.  My back has been a mess since Tamox.  My oncologist ran me through the MRI paces to look for possible mets (negatory, whew).  It can happen, but I think the more important issue is to try as hard as you can not to let this take over your mind until you know for sure.  So easy to say, so very hard to do, but well worth the effort.  The stress and anguish is not good for your body.

    As for getting a second opinion for water under the bridge--maybe my situation will help : )  I was a grade 3, IDC no nodes, Oncotype 12, ER/PR+ and 39 at diagnosis.  I did chemo due to the grade, and my age.  I got THREE opinions.  They were yes, no and maybe to chemo--and let me tell you, I went to two of the best hospitals in the country.  FWIW, just understand they really don't get this disease yet, there are no "correct" answers for us intermediate gals, so enjoy yourself and have an ice cream on this hot day!

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