Connect
Metastatic Breast Cancer treatment options
Hello all, Firstly thank you for creating this forum. Late August I was diagnosed with stage 4 MBC that has gone to @3 bones and through the skeletal system. Bone biopsy confirms BC in bones but PET shows the bones are not hypermetabolic where the breast & lymph are hypermetabolic. I'm in Raleigh NC. My surgical & medical oncologist have ruled out surgery, chemo & rad leaving me with one option, Ibrance with an inhibitor. I've read the trials ( 2016-17) on Ibrance and it seems like 79% of participants have lower immune responses. Firstly, Like to know if anyone has feedback on a newer protocol/drug regime as this seems to have been developed 3-4yrs ago. And anyone have personal experience with Ibrance if they could let me know what their day is like, quality of life. I understand everyone's different... I'm 68yrs, living alone and this decision weighs heavy on my shoulders. Thank you for your responses.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.
Connect
To también cancer metastasis mama en pulmón Opciones tratamiento
View Translation
I've been metastatic to bones for 2 years. My treatment is Ibrance, Fulvestant injections and Zometa infusion. It's doable. If it can add more time, it's worth the side effects. I'd be glad to talk with you either on phone or in person. I live in Sanford.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi. I have the same basic diagnosis as you, although mine is a recurrence from 2006. First treatment was Ibrance/Letrozole for 9 months. Yes, immune system was compromised and I’m anemic but I stayed home and masked when I went out. Other than the cancer I’ve stayed healthy. Main side effect was extreme fatigue, some bowel issues and loss of appetite, mouth sores and interstitial lung disease (difficulty breathing). When Ibrance stopped working I went on Afinitor/Faslodex for 5 months with the same side effects. There didn’t seem to be anything to do about the fatigue but accept it and learn what I could and couldn’t do. Imodium helped the bowel issues. Wrapping the pills I take in marshmallow pieces before swallowing took care of the mouth sores. You can also get “miracle Mouthwash” from a compounding pharmacy, but I prefer the marshmallows. CBD oil (no THC) improved my appetite. The breathing difficulty is gone now that I’m no longer on hormone inhibitors and am taking Xeloda, a chemo pill. I haven’t experienced hair loss so far. Hope this is helpful in your decision making. Wishing you all the best!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI started Ibrance with anastrozole three months ago after a recurrence of invasive lobular cancer with lymph nodes diagnosed back in 2007. Side effects have been mild and tolerable. Some mouth sores, but that’s improving. To avoid mouth sores, knock the pills back with water, minimizing contact with tissue in your mouth. Also some minor aches and fatigue that could be attributed to other causes. Per blood tests, my immune cells were slightly low. Just had my first PET scan and response was excellent “almost complete” showing minimal metabolic activity in recurrence area (renal pelvis of left kidney) Even so, my oncologist may switch me to Kisqali (ribociclib), which has a similar mechanism of action but has outperformed Ibrance in recent research in terms of the length of survival time. The American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) is a good source of cutting edge research. They publish an e-newsletter for providers and patients that is free. It’s called the ASCO Post. Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHola, yo también he estado tomando ibrance desde hace seis meses, descansando una semana o más, solo la fatiga al final de la tarde, pero he notado que me estoy manchando de la cara y se me está cayendo un poco el cabello, a alguien más le pasa algo similar?, Me podrían aconsejar que utilizaron si es así, gracias
View Translation
Hola yo también tengo cáncer metastásico de hace dos años, mi oncólogo me cambió el letrozol a fulvestrant hace un mes, la verdad casi no presento efectos secundarios, sólo la fatiga y recién dolores en la espalda por la metástasis, ya que me abarcó toda la columna, me gustaría platicar contigo, ya que no conozco a alguien que tenga o padezca lo mismo, sería algo lindo tener un amigo o amiga que sepa por lo que estoy pasando, espero tu respuesta.
View Translation
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionAbsolutely. You can contact me by private message. I can't speak anything but English.
This is something my wife’s oncologist has not mentions. My wife developed metastatic breast cancer that is now in her thoracic spine and sternum. The oncologist has told her it is bad and surgery and radiation will not help. In addition her oncologist said my wife can go ahead and stop chemo whenever she so desires. Yet the oncologist says our insuranc incurable but treatable, and only offers antibodies once chemo isn’t used. We are at a loss and assuming this must all mean she has terminal cancer with no hope. What do we do???
You can definitely talk more to the doc about this.
I was not clear on what this meant: "Yet the oncologist says our insuranc incurable but treatable,"
Does your wife have stage 4 with her first diagnosis of breast cancer or is this a recurrence?
That report has both good news and bad news. Lymph nodes and organs are clear, it says. Stage 4 is not curable but it is treatable and some even say it becomes like a chronic illness. I hope you can talk more to the oncologist or nurse there!
Only meant to say incurable, other words was accidental. Here are initial report and then pet scan report attached