Bone Metastasis in Pelvic and Spine

Posted by Glori @elvandi, Jan 25, 2018

Anyone with the same cancer DX. , Wondering what to expect ?

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Hi Glori,
I believe you are referring to breast cancer that has moved beyond the breast and into the bone. This is called bone metastasis. Bone metastasis is cancer that started in another part of the body and spread to the bone. Bone metastasis is not the same as cancer that starts in the bone (called primary bone cancer). Bone metastases are much more common than primary bone cancer.

Or have you been diagnosed with a second primary cancer of the bone?

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thank you for your reply. Presently, I will need a biopsy to know if the cancer is same as the breast cancer. Do you know is there any treatment for this condition ?

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@elvandi

thank you for your reply. Presently, I will need a biopsy to know if the cancer is same as the breast cancer. Do you know is there any treatment for this condition ?

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Once they have the results of the biopsy and other diagnostic tests, they have a better idea what's going on and what treatments will be appropriate. Please keep us posted, Glori.

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Recently dx with BC that spread to spine and pelvic bone. Any one out there , also with this situation and for how long have you dealt with this spread of cancer. I was surprised as it started only a few months after breast total removal surgery. Wondering if the surgery was not successful that cancer cells spread so soon and quickly.

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@elvandi

Recently dx with BC that spread to spine and pelvic bone. Any one out there , also with this situation and for how long have you dealt with this spread of cancer. I was surprised as it started only a few months after breast total removal surgery. Wondering if the surgery was not successful that cancer cells spread so soon and quickly.

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Hi @elvandi,
There are several members here on Connect who have breast cancer that has metastasized to the bone, such as @rae3 @marbar369 @wandering @djankord1 @sistie and @lisamc. I'm tagging them here in the hopes that they will join the conversation and share their experiences with you.

Glori, that the breast cancer spread so quickly after surgery doesn't necessarily mean that the surgery was not successful. Before surgery, I'm sure you have many imaging tests done, such as CT scans and/or MRIs. It is possible that before surgery there was no visible spread to the bones or other parts of your body, but that the cancer had already started to move into the lymph nodes. Did you you have lymph nodes removed during surgery? Did they come back positive?

What treatment are you now on? Do you have pain?

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The only previous test was the Mamo and a breast biopsy before further surgery. Lump was removed and 1 lymph node, the lump did not have clear margins, but the 1 lymph node was negative with no cancer cells shown. A second surgery , also could not get clear margins. It was then suggested a total breast removal, which came back negative anywhere else within the same breast.

The spread to the lumbar area and other bone areas, came quickly. Radiation was not suggested as the cancer is in various areas of the body and my pain is much reduced presently. No chemo was given, partly due to my age of 75 y.o. and weakness at that time. Now I only take a hormonal pill.
Since no previous MRI or CT or Body Scan was done, so there was no way that was checked if the cancer spread.
That's a point that everyone should be aware of to have all necessary tests before surgery and immediately after surgery. Do not assume that if the breast was removed, all the cancer is gone and everything is wonderful . Always continue checking and testing for ever !

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@colleenyoung

Hi Glori,
I believe you are referring to breast cancer that has moved beyond the breast and into the bone. This is called bone metastasis. Bone metastasis is cancer that started in another part of the body and spread to the bone. Bone metastasis is not the same as cancer that starts in the bone (called primary bone cancer). Bone metastases are much more common than primary bone cancer.

Or have you been diagnosed with a second primary cancer of the bone?

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test showed the bone cancer was the same as the breast cancer was.

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@elvandi

The only previous test was the Mamo and a breast biopsy before further surgery. Lump was removed and 1 lymph node, the lump did not have clear margins, but the 1 lymph node was negative with no cancer cells shown. A second surgery , also could not get clear margins. It was then suggested a total breast removal, which came back negative anywhere else within the same breast.

The spread to the lumbar area and other bone areas, came quickly. Radiation was not suggested as the cancer is in various areas of the body and my pain is much reduced presently. No chemo was given, partly due to my age of 75 y.o. and weakness at that time. Now I only take a hormonal pill.
Since no previous MRI or CT or Body Scan was done, so there was no way that was checked if the cancer spread.
That's a point that everyone should be aware of to have all necessary tests before surgery and immediately after surgery. Do not assume that if the breast was removed, all the cancer is gone and everything is wonderful . Always continue checking and testing for ever !

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Thank you for posting! It’s hard to know what to do going forward. I appreciate your comments.

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Hello. I am age 68 and was diagnosed with metastatic bone, lymph node, pelvic and brain cancer in July 2017 so it has been difficult to deal with. My first cancer was diagnosed and treated in 1999-2000 and I was fine until July 2017 diagnosis. I was feeling anemic last year and therefore saw hemotologist and also oncologist at Mayo and then returned to my regular clinic for treatment. I am now taking iBrance and letrozole to try to slow disease progression. I also had whole brain radiation. I have monthly check ups and also have brain MRI and CT scans every three months. Trying to be hopeful although it is sometimes difficult.

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Each day this weights on my mind. However, it is important to find ways to be positive. There is no one answer how each person handles this disease, helping others may be a good way. I pray and wish you the best. elvandi

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