New here - worried about rib met

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LaurenH
LaurenH Member Posts: 389
edited February 2018 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi all - I am 15 years out from my dx and just had my annual breast MRI and Mammo.

Mammo was fine; Breast MRI showed a non-mass enhancement in my cancer side breast but also an enhancement of an anterior 1 or 2 rib, which was an incidental finding.

Oncologist ordered blood work (all normal including tumor markers) and I have zero pain in the area. He also ordered a PET and a biopsy of the breast. No results yet from biopsy but he didn't seem overly concerned about the breast finding. The rib was bright on the PET scan but all else clear - including spot on breast.

Rib biopsy scheduled for Monday and of course I am freaking out. Research says single met in rib is uncommon but I realize it does happen. I'm having a hard time finding any reasonable non-cancer explanation for this rib to light up so I'm really scared.

Thanks for any experiences or insights.

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  • Hadiya
    Hadiya Member Posts: 37
    edited February 2018

    Wish I could help Lauren but I'm not qualified to answer your questions and I don't have any experience but I'm holding you in my heart! Good luck with everything and keep us posted!

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  • bevin
    bevin Member Posts: 1,902
    edited February 2018

    hi Lauren, sorry you have to have the biopsy. The suv on the pet scan is a number u might check on. There are levels more indicative of mets that might help tell the story. I hope all is well.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited February 2018

    Lauren - welcome to BCO. It’s such a difficult time when you’re waiting for definitive answers. Incidental findings can really throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans.


    My two (now probably only one) rib mets were discovered accidentally during a scan looking for something else. I have one on the left anterior, and had one on right posterior (my MO questions this one and thinks it may be a rib fracture, but a year later it keeps showing up on scans so who knows?) I’ve not had a biopsy because every doctor has discouraged me: rib resection is a tough surgery. My MO explained that at this point treatment is palliative, not curative, and if I have no symptoms there’s no reason to treat these two spots (I have no real pain right now). Instead, I’m choosing to watch: CT and bone scan very 3 months, and then we decide. Last scan in November showed a new mediastinsl lymph node that’s growing, and new lung nodules we’re watching. It’s a game of wait-and-see.

    It’s true that solitary mets are rare, but it is possible. My hope is your biopsy shows something else. Good luck, I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited February 2018

    Hoping that rib spot is benign. Keep us posted

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  • LaurenH
    LaurenH Member Posts: 389
    edited February 2018

    Thank all - appreciate your warm welcome and good thoughts. I will follow up here when I know more

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