If you are not Stage IV but have questions, you may post here

ChrissyB and AllyBee -- thank you for sharing. You were both right that Brain METs do show up very differently than other lesions which are due to non cancerous reasons. Brain METs definitely do have the "bubble" you described. My Neuro said the extra bubble portion is usually due to swelling/edema due to the tumor lesion.

Just wanted to follow up concerning my question about Brain METs and MS lesions.

I did see my Neruo and it's official. After 10 years of having a 'probable MS or high risk for MS' historical dx I've now moved past that into an active MS dx. This current Brain MRI had 15 new lesions. Located in my brain, my brainstem, and in my cerebellum. These were not there 7 months ago in my Jan 2019 MRI.

Most measure 5-8 mm but my Neurologist was very clear, that in no way shape or size are these lesions at all cancerous. They are MS lesions/plaques (very different MRI characteristics vs METs) and represent areas of damage to my brain (white and grey matter) due to my immune system attacking it mistakenly. And like Google told me, he confirmed for me that yes, lesions found in the brainstem and cerebellum don't usually happen unless in MS or other demyelinating diseases.

Funny, I did teach my Neuro something.

I mentioned to him about finding info that lack of estrogen seems to bring on more severe MS attacks in women, to which he said, "No. That's not correct, as fas as I know.". He then did a quick check on his computer, and said, and I quote, "Well, look at that! Sure enough. It's right there, in menopause and in post-partum, decreasing levels of estrogen, estradoil, and progesterone, can trigger MS attacks." It seems then that my being on Tamoxifen and later on Zoladex, both meds decreasing my hormone levels significantly, likely played a role in the development of my new brain lesions. (not METs).

We talked over some of my other symptoms and concerns, and after doing so he agreed it would be good to get a baseline of my spine, even if nothing ends up being revealed on the scan. So I go in next week to have a Thoracic Spinal MRI, with and without contrast, to determine if I also have lesions there too. I've never had one before so I'm a bit nervous about what they will find. Fingers crossed nothing is seen.

I also see Ear Nose and Throat next week to continue to try to unravel the mystery of why my lymph nodes continue to swell, itch, and ache even though it's clear that my allergic reaction to Zoladex has passed by now. My throat tissue no longer swells in size, it just "burns" and "itches". Which according to Neuro, could be a MS symptom, perhaps my spinal cord MRI will show lesions there. If so, that is likely the reason for those odd symptoms. I also have trouble swallowing at times, but my Neuro said that could be due to the MS and where my lesions are.

The Spoonie Saga continues.

Hope you all can have as peaceful and healing of a weekend as possible. I'm going to do my best to forget all medical related issues and just unplug.

Here is a good comparison image of various brain lesion presentations (MS, LYME, ENCEPHALITIS, BRAIN METS, ADEM, LYMPHOMA, TBC, SARCOID) in a MRI image:

(brain METs lesion shown upper right hand corner, MS lesion middle center, Lymphoma lesion bottom middle)

(MS lesions entire upper row, Sarcoid lesions bottom left, Lyme Disease lesion bottom middle)

Hello everyone! I am still in active treatment, I had chemo, now in rads and tamox. I'm grade 2. In September 2018 my scans were clear ... only local disease. My question is ... according to my statistics, what would be the minimum time that could pass until having a recurrence? How long does it take to form a metastasis with grade 2? Months, years?

I appreciate any experience in this regard, since I have to plan family issues that depend on my state of health. Thank you!

Yndorian, I think that it is possible that cancer can be metastasized before you were diagnosed, but just not caught yet. Of course, none of us want that.

Hi Staceybee, Don't think the worst!! It sounds like you are anemic. Did your GP order any more test to see why? Did your GP say you would benefit from a B12 shot? Have you changed your diet?

Thank you for the responses. My iron and B12 is fine, just the red blood cell count and hematocrit continue to be below normal. I had radiation a yr ago. I see my oncologist in 5 wks for my 6-month and will have it checked again.

I have a question for the stage 4 ladies and don't know where to post it. I am close with a family who just lost their young sister/daughter to metastatic breast cancer. People want to do something so they are searching for a charity to donate to. Is there a group that is truly searching for a cure that spends donations wisely? Any suggestions? Thanks.

Thank you so much Lori.

Yes, sorry Mods! I didn't intentionally mean to leave BCO out, it's been a tremendous help to so many of us!

Hi,

My mom recently went through breast cancer and had radiation ect, After a recent check up and because of her complaining of back pain doctors now believe the cancer has spread to her back. Going through the entire Breast Cancer process was extremely hard for, especially as a college student. Looking on google and searching on the topic has extremely terrified me and I would appreciate any information or personal experiences you guys have had.

what were your signs and symptoms for Mets? My mom found a lump on her lower back left side (it's like on muscle not the touching the spine at all) but she had a lipoma/cyst about 10 years ago and it's in the same spot bc you can see the incision where they took it out She has no back pain or any pain at all.

has there been any cases where someone had a lump in their lower back region and had spinal mets? Would i check with her MO for this concern

Mallory,

I have a lipoma in my lower back just as you have described. I also have mets to bones but the lipoma is noncancerous. So it is possible that it's benign. A biopsy will tell her for sure. See if hee PCP or MO can order one.

Thank you, I’ll let her know and hopefully that’s what it is. Praying

Hello again everyone,

I have general question but it may link to recurrence issues. I had left UMX in 11/2016, chemo and rads ended on 01/31/2017. So far I feel great going to the gym 5 times a week. The last mammogram I had on the right breast was June 2018 and in April 2019 full breast US. The radiologist insisted that I need to do another mammogram even though the one in June 2018 showed my right breast was too dense to show anything. Hence, I always follow up with US. I think the mammogram was too much radiation plus they can't find anything anyway. My BS talked to me and I asked what is the chances of me getting cancer. He said 89% mammogram will stay the same and 12% DCIS calcification since US does not pick up calcification. So far I have not done mammo but lately I started to feel a little fullness of the right breast light discomfort sporadically. Should I go ahead with the mammogram or the MRI which I also consider the latter one. Thank you all for any inputs.