Unexplained bruising and hematoma on arms and legs

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Kidmanliang
Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
edited June 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi All,

We found a lot of small bruise, red spot hematoma on my cousin's arms, legs and buttock. They kind of fade away in days but new ones keep coming. She has IV mets spread to bone and brain. Did anyone have similar symptoms before? I'm worried and scared that it's symptoms of Leukemia.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited June 2017

    HI! First off I want to say I know zero about this. But. This is most likely some kind of drug reaction.

    I don't know what treatments she is on but you should take some pictures of her skin and report this to her doctors.

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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    hi Pajim,

    Thanks so much for your response. I also told her to take pictures to show to her doctor. She found the recurrence a month ago, no symptom, but TMs were high. Then it took them a month to finish all other testings: biopsy, petcan, uri. MO told her to stop Tamoxifen until the new treatment and said it wouldn't progress too fast. He was wrong. She got worse day by day. Double vision made her not able to walk or see. Last thursday she started Femara,same day found more those bruises on arms and legs, which got worse Friday night, a quarter sized hematoma was found on her buttock when she showered. Ibrance arrived Friday night so she took one, the hematoma became bruise next morning. Since it spread to bones and brain, I wonder if it caused platelets problems which caused the bruises and hematoma. She's seeing her MO tomorrow, hope he will have some insight. I don't like her MO because he missed diagnose her brain mets when she told him she had a bit double vision and he also underestimated how aggressive the cancer cells in youngmy cousin, but he's probably the best MO in her area, so we don't know where else we can go.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited June 2017

    Huh. I don't like the story you are telling me. Can she get a second opinion at a major cancer center? That really would be a good idea.

    Since she wasn't on treatment, the spots are definitely more concerning. Ibrance will depress the white cells which may or may not make this worse.

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  • Becs511
    Becs511 Member Posts: 303
    edited June 2017

    The bruising sounds like a drug reaction. Leukemia would not increase the tumor markers tested for breast cancer.

    If her doctors are at all concerned about Leukemia, they should test her blood counts. If her white blood cell counts are significantly higher than normal, that would be a sign of leukemia and then a final confirmation would come by doing a spinal tap. Also, general bruising would not be the first and only sign of lukemia, however the initial signs may blend in with chemo side effects; like significant fatigue, dramatic weight loss in a short period of time, paleness, tendency to get lots of colds, flus, and other types of illnessess.

    Actually, in general, they should test her blood counts to see her platelet, hemoglobin, and red blood cell levels, and check to see her clotting time. The bruising maybe caused by something related to one of those things.


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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    Rebecca and pajim,

    Thanks so much to both of you!

    We are still monitoring her CBC counts. Platelets are 99-105 10e9/L,around the low end; RBCs are 4.04, low end; WBCs are 7000+, still within normal range but slightly higher than her normal counts. After they pricked her finger, she had to use ice to stop it from bleeding. She has been having temporary small fever(99 F) as well. Currently she's in the middle of 10 times WBRT, and the RO doesn't seem to worry her blood counts too much.

    BTW, does anyone have experience with WBRT? It's her 4th time today, and she said her double vision did not get improved at all, in fact, it got slightly worse. Does it mean WBRT is not working? Or we have to wait for a while to see the results?

    Hope you are doing well.

    Prayers and hugs.

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited June 2017

    Is she taken any aspirin ir ibuprophen or vitamins or herbal meds.

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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    Hi Melmcbee,

    Thanks for your response. She's not on aspirin, ibuprofen or vitamins supplements. I believe she stopped taking Chinese herbal therapy for radiation, but I can confirm with her tonight. Her dad said she always has lower platelets and lower blood pressure, and he thinks it's genetic since he is about the same.

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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    is it appropriate to post pictures of hematoma? Sorry I didn't read the rules

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  • Chico
    Chico Member Posts: 196
    edited June 2017

    This may not help at all but since being on Tamoxifen & then Letrozole I get bruising on my forearms but I do think it is Solar Purpura due to being a sun worshipper for many years. However I only put this out there just in case....

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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    Chico,

    Thanks for your response. I looked at the pictures online for Solar Purpura, but they don't look like the ones she has. However, I'll still bring it up to ththe doctor. Thanks

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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    A quick update..she was admitted to the hospital. Doctor suspects that it's DIC (Disseminated intravascular coagulation), which is a very critical condition. More tests need to be done to confirm the diagnosis. Has anyone seen cases like this?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited June 2017

    Kid - I did look it up and it's very rare. Hope then can pinpoint the diagnosis and move forward w/treament.

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  • Kidmanliang
    Kidmanliang Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2017

    Thanks minus2. They started Blood transfusion and antifibrinolytic. I pray everyday for the treatments to work like magic!

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