Skin Metastasis

Options
nowaldron
nowaldron Member Posts: 94
edited September 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello Sisters,

I am wondering if anyone has had their MBC metastasize to the skin. If so, what were the symptoms? I have developed several lesions that start out tender, then itchy, then scabby. To me, it almost looks like chicken pox. My derm first thought it was a staph infection, but that was three weeks and a cycle of antibiotics ago. Now they are going to do a biopsy.

I've been on Herceptin/Perjeta for 3.5 years with no progression.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Best,

Nancy

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 923
    edited September 2019

    Some women develop nodules but what you describe does sound similar to my skin mets. I've dealt with them twice so far - the first time was my initial DX, a full-blown textbook case of Inflammatory Breast Cancer that responded well to chemo. Then I had a recurrence of the mets in my skin last year. That second time my skin was a mottled red, and the spots were extremely tender to the touch, the worst of them had a stinging pain, and they were often flaky. It didn't respond to chemo the second time and I did ten weeks of daily rads to clear it up. I have read that about 20% of people with MBC develop skin mets,and that it's most common in HER2+ because the skin is an immune privileged sanctuary. It has a barrier similar to the blood-brain barrier, so the HER2+ drugs can't reach the cancer cells in the skin.

    It is good that they are doing a biopsy, I'm assuming it will be a skin punch biopsy. If it is skin mets, it's concerning that you say they are scabbing over because that means they are fungating - the cancer is breaking through the skin and creating an open wound, which then scabs over. In my experience they are more difficult to treat once that happens (mine fungated the first time), so I hope that's not what you are experiencing.

    Skin mets can be tough, but not impossible, to manage. Good luck with the biopsy, I'll keep my fingers crossed that your symptoms are due to something benign and not skin mets.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nowaldron
    nowaldron Member Posts: 94
    edited September 2019

    Hi LoriCA,

    Thank you so much for sharing. I am hoping for the best.

    I really appreciate the info.

    Nancy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DATNY
    DATNY Member Posts: 358
    edited September 2019

    Did they consider shingles?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited September 2019

    Yikes, I hope I don't have skin mets. Mine was obviously very pussy like an infection.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nowaldron
    nowaldron Member Posts: 94
    edited September 2019

    Hi DATNY,

    Yes, they did consider shingles as that was actually my first thought. But, alas, it is not shingles.

    Thanks,

    Nancy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LoriCA
    LoriCA Member Posts: 923
    edited September 2019

    Nancy you mentioned on the Herceptin thread about your Herceptin rash, is this the same thing you are asking about here? There is a very obvious difference between my Herceptin rash and skin mets. In addition to being in different locations they have a different appearance. I get a Herceptin rash on my forehead, upper arms and upper chest, and the inside of my elbows. The skin mets have appeared on my breast and surrounding area. The Herceptin rash drives me crazy with itching, and I've drawn blood with my scratching. The skin mets are more painful than itchy. After six months with no rash, it appeared again after my last infusion.

    I only get a mild rash from Herceptin, but some people like illimae get a horrible one. It can look like acne, maybe that's what you're describing as looking like chicken pox? I sure hope yours is just a rash from Herceptin, not that it makes it any easier to deal with, but better than skin mets.

    Lori

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories