My dad just got diagnosed with stage IV metastatic. Please help!

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Tck27
Tck27 Member Posts: 6
edited September 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

hey yall!

My dad has had a lump in his left peck for about ten years. The past year it started hurting him. He went in a few weeks ago to get it checked out and biopsied. Turned out both the lump and first receiving lymph node tested positive for cancer cells.

He was supposed to go in for a mastectomy and twenty lymph node removals but, the MRI CT SCAN showed two spots in his bones and apparently what they think are two cysts in his liver.

We have no family history. I was diagnosed with stage 1b melanoma last year. Because of this they stressed genetic testing.

Anyways, his cells tested estrogen positive along with progesterone. So, it was a highly hormonally induced cause. Instead of the surgery, he will begin hormonal therapy soon. In addition, he will receive more blood tests to figure out how aggressive it is.

How did hormonal therapy work for y’all? How long does he have? All I can find are statistics regarding 5 year survival but, nothing more. They plan to use the tumor on his left breast as a marker to measure the effectiveness of the therapy. Do you suggest he have the cysts removed?

Thank you so much! God bless y’all

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited July 2018

    Welcome to BCO, Tck27. Very sorry to hear about your dad, but at least his medical team us working on a plan. And since he's had a lump for about 10 years it might be assumed that it is slow growing, so hormonal treatment may well be effective. You are suggesting he is ER+ PR+ but what is the Her2 result. Most men are negative for this, so Tamoxifen would be a likely estrogen blocker. Most men tolerate this very well and it often works well. for sure his team will be watching the bone spots, but the liver cysts could be benign of could be tumors. Diagnosed as Stage IV means a mastectomy is not so important, but further treatment will depend on the outcomes of initial treatment. Keep coming here with news and for advice if you wish. You are in the right place.


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  • Lynnwood1960
    Lynnwood1960 Member Posts: 1,284
    edited July 2018

    TCK27, the very FIRST thing my onc told me was to ignore the statistics. Says they are outdated and do not reflect the new treatments available, with new ones coming all the time. I am over 3 years out and doing well on Ibrance and Letrazole. It sounds like your Dads doctors are doing everything they should. Sounds like he is on the right track. Keep reading and you will learn so much on the various boards, there is likely one specific to whatever treatment they decide on. Hang in there! It is difficult to absorb all of this but believe me it will get better.

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  • Tck27
    Tck27 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2018

    Thanks guys! 

    I am not sure about his Her2, I will ask him about that. He did say how the tone of voice from his doctors seemed different from when they originally thought he had stage 2 or 3 BC. He is aware that it is not a curable disease but, they've told him it can definitely be treatable and manageable. His doctor shared how his mother lived for 25 years after her diagnosis.

    He also has a cyst on his scrotum apparently. So, I know he's concerned about that also. 

    He returns do his onc on Wednesday and I'll be sure to keep ya'll updated. Thank you so much!

    Sidenote: I am 26 years old and they found a lump in my left breast last year. I went in for an ultrasound by a breast surgeon this January and was told all was normal. It's gotten slightly bigger since then. Any advice? I am awaiting to hear news regarding my father's genetic testing. Melanoma is linked to the BRCA gene and I was diagnosed with that in 2017. 1.5 years cancer free thus far!


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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited July 2018

    Tck27, I am sorry to hear about your father. Hormone therapy can be highly effective and work for a long time. Generally, being ER and PR positive is a good prognostic indicator. If the liver "cysts" are actually metastatic lesions, it is likely they will shrink from the hormone therapy, which would give you some potential answers on those. However, I would ask for a liver biopsy if the doctors insist they are only "cysts".

    As for your own breast lump, I would also insist on a biopsy if you haven't had one, especially since you are BRCA. You mentioned an ultrasound. Not sure if you have had anything beyond mammogram and ultrasound. I was diagnosed at 30 after many, many years of delayed diagnosis despite various symptoms throughout my late teens and twenties and doctors telling me a suspicious lump was nothing to worry about. Sadly, many doctors (even oncologists) will not take you seriously due to your age, even though you are BRCA positive. Better safe than sorry and I hope it is nothing. Congrats on being 1.5 years out form melanoma dx!

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  • Tck27
    Tck27 Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2018

    JFL, I am not BRCA positive as of right now. Sorry, I don't think I clarified that I have not personally received genetic testing yet. My dad just had it done. They are concerned we may be BRCA positive due to my diagnosis of Melanoma because, Melanoma is linked to BRCA. As far as my genetic composition is concerned, I have no idea yet what will come about my genetic tests. My dad hasn't received his genetic results yet so, we do not know if he is BRCA positive. We have no family history of BC so, the BRCA gene came out of nowhere if we do indeed have it. 

    Thank you for your reply

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  • Tck27
    Tck27 Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018

    hey guys! So, I have some updated news.

    Her2 is negative

    He begins Hormone therapy with Tamoxifen and a bone strengthener.

    He has two one inch spots in his bones and a few small (millimeter) spots in his lungs. He has two cysts on his liver (they think they are cysts) and a cyst on his scrotum which, he will be seeing a neurologist for. The cancer isn't aggressive and is slow moving. What concerns me is that the doctor told him "you're not going anywhere right now, you will be here for at least a year"

    That's not super encouraging.

    Any advice?

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited August 2018

    The Her2 negative is good news Tck27. I'd suggest the Tamoxifen will be effective.

    But, I'd suggest that the doctor is concerned about the spots in his bones and lungs and will be watching these as time goes by. Hence a year of watchful waiting.

    No advice, just go with the flow, be patient and don't assume the worst. Your dad is getting appropriate treatment.


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  • Tck27
    Tck27 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2018

    Hey all!!

    So, they put my dad in zomata and tamoxifen. He's been on the tamoxifen for over four weeks now. His markers showed a slight increase but, they're going to give the hormone therapy another two weeks. If it doesn't work, he will be doing a low grade chemo aparrently.

    In addition, he's in a very stressful home life. My mom isn't the nicest so, I'm worried that will affect his fight also.

    I'm hoping that the hormonal treatment proves to be successful. Do yall have any suggestions or advice? How long do I have left with my father? I'm terrified to lose him.

    Thank you!

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited September 2018

    It sounds to me like your dad is getting the correct treatment and his prognosis is good. Remember, his cancer has been very slow growing, so you will likely have your dad around for a few years yet. However, Stage 4 is terminal, so be prepared for his eventual passing. I’m sorry about his home situation, can anything be done to improve this?


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  • Tck27
    Tck27 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2018

    thank you!

    Do you think 10 years is reasonable? Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done. She has a lot of issues and he doesn't think leaving her at this time would be good for him mentally. I live out of state at the moment and the soonest I can return is next fall. So, I'm doing my best to see him every other month or so if Ican.


    Are you familiar with any alternative, endocrine, or clinical treatments?

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited September 2018

    I think 10 years is optimistic, but only his medical team can give a truely informed opinion on this.

    It's great that you are supporting him as much as you can. Sorry, but I don't have any other treatment suggestions.

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