Worried, suspicious lesions found: Thought I was cancer free

Posted by vkm @vkm, Nov 30, 2022

I completed breast cancer chemo in October and found out this week that I have two suspicious lesions. One is on my spine and the other one is on my rib. I am scheduled for a PET scan tomorrow. I devastated to say the least...thought I was cancer free. Can anyone share any advice? Honestly don't know how I will handle another cancer diagnosis. Chemo was so hard on my body. Was hospitalized twice with chemo related issues. SO WORRIED

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@windyshores

It seems to me that everyone I know with stage 4 found out by accident when investigating another health issue. Good to know that a CT picks up lesions.

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I was going to Physical Therapy for a back injury when my metastasis was found in my sternum & spine. Pain returned and the CT for something elsewhere picked up the cancer in my spine.

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@mssewest

I was going to Physical Therapy for a back injury when my metastasis was found in my sternum & spine. Pain returned and the CT for something elsewhere picked up the cancer in my spine.

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I am in PT now and am going to push for more imaging, CT or MRI. The pain is keeping me up. I don't think minor degenerative changes explain this. There is always soft tissue but I don't think that is the problem either. Thanks!

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@windyshores

I am in PT now and am going to push for more imaging, CT or MRI. The pain is keeping me up. I don't think minor degenerative changes explain this. There is always soft tissue but I don't think that is the problem either. Thanks!

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Please do it may be arthritis but scans are best to rule out Mets.

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@windyshores

I also would like to know how you discovered these lesions. I have had severe pain in localized areas on hip and thigh. PT is not doing anything for it. I had x-rays that only showed mild degenerative changes. Could be muscle. But I am 8 years out and worry is always there. Oncologist said "x-rays are reassuring" and left it at that. It has been maybe 8 weeks and only getting worse.

I hope your lesions are not metastasis but somehow related to the primary since it is so soon. I hope you will let us know!

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Maybe you should peruse CT to put your mind at ease… 🌸

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@vkm I’m thinking of you today as you getting to go for you PET scan.

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@vkm im thinking of you as well as you go for your PET scan.
Sending 🙏🏻 your way. Stay strong!

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@colleenyoung

@vkm, no wonder you're worried. The thought of entering the whole cancer diagnosis, treatment, side effects, again must feel like getting back on the ever-spinning hamster wheel. You're not alone.

I've added your post to the Breast Cancer group (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/breast-cancer/) too. Several members here have had multiple cancers, like @remi and @mjay, or breast cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other areas like the bones. @eku @pbnew @ks3 @nikki727 @leeann66 @mssewest have first hand experience with bone metastases.

One step at a time, vkm. I know that much easier said than done. I hope you're able to do something nice for yourself this evening to help you care for you and to sleep well. What helps you relax in times of stress? Do you have people around you?

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@colleenyoung
I plan to open a new topic but can't find how and use this topic here.

I am diagnosed as DCIS first for 1.1cm and did a contrast MRI, they found another 2.8cm suspicious mass & 5.6cm DCIS on the same breast, Radiologist suggest an Ultrasound and Biopsy.

Today I went for ultrasound and the radiologist found a new spot that want to do the biopsy.

Does anyone have more than 2 types of cancers on same breast and multiple spots? How was that treated?

I know I may have a Mastectomy due to multi spots. But just can't afford to hear more and more cancer spots found after each test.

Looking forward to anyone's reply. Thank you.

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@pinkbean

@colleenyoung
I plan to open a new topic but can't find how and use this topic here.

I am diagnosed as DCIS first for 1.1cm and did a contrast MRI, they found another 2.8cm suspicious mass & 5.6cm DCIS on the same breast, Radiologist suggest an Ultrasound and Biopsy.

Today I went for ultrasound and the radiologist found a new spot that want to do the biopsy.

Does anyone have more than 2 types of cancers on same breast and multiple spots? How was that treated?

I know I may have a Mastectomy due to multi spots. But just can't afford to hear more and more cancer spots found after each test.

Looking forward to anyone's reply. Thank you.

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@pinkbean sorry you are going through this. Let us know the particulars of the lesions they find. For instance, do you have mixed ductal and lobular, mixed grade, etc. Good luck with the tests!

You can decide on a mastectomy on one breast or both. I had both and "went flat." It has made me feel safer.

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@pinkbean

@colleenyoung
I plan to open a new topic but can't find how and use this topic here.

I am diagnosed as DCIS first for 1.1cm and did a contrast MRI, they found another 2.8cm suspicious mass & 5.6cm DCIS on the same breast, Radiologist suggest an Ultrasound and Biopsy.

Today I went for ultrasound and the radiologist found a new spot that want to do the biopsy.

Does anyone have more than 2 types of cancers on same breast and multiple spots? How was that treated?

I know I may have a Mastectomy due to multi spots. But just can't afford to hear more and more cancer spots found after each test.

Looking forward to anyone's reply. Thank you.

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Pinkbean, it’s a really tough time going through discovery and then the dreaded diagnosis. I went through this first week of Jan. 2022… putting all notions of a Happy New Year to rest! although I had a “normal” mammo in October, an MRI picked up two malignant tumors with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma ( IDC) in the same breast ( multi foci) and one positive node ( ultimately 2 sentinel nodes were positive ).

Both tumors were bio similar in my case. It is possible to have two or more tumors in one breast that are not biologically similar and each require a different treatment. The world of breast cancer is way more complex than I had ever known with many types and variables. Incredible research has helped identify and treat all types even if different in the same breast.

I had a unilateral mastectomy in February. My diagnosis (tumor feature) made me eligible for an ONCOTYPE analysis that determined that chemotherapy would not be of benefit . As I am estrogen positive ( tumor needs estrogen to live) I take an AROMATASE INHIBITOR (AI) daily to help prevent estradiol from converting into estrogen.

For some breast cancers, chemotherapy is needed to shrink tumors prior to surgery so more biopsies are sometimes needed. It is indeed very difficult to learn that more concerns are being found each time. The diagnostic phase is excruciating and the wait unbearable.

During an unbearable 3 week waiting on ONCOTYPE my oncologist advised me to go out west and visit my daughter and grandchildren. Hard to imagine but I did relax and enjoy and put IT aside.

So, if you can find some opportunity to put this “aside” while you wait, I encourage that you do.

It turned out that my HAPPY NEW YEAR was diagnosing that I had BC … so that I could take every measure to treat as early as possible.

I’ll be thinking of you. Let us know how you are doing as you learn more. This is a safe place to “ talk”. Hugs 🌸

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@windyshores

@pinkbean sorry you are going through this. Let us know the particulars of the lesions they find. For instance, do you have mixed ductal and lobular, mixed grade, etc. Good luck with the tests!

You can decide on a mastectomy on one breast or both. I had both and "went flat." It has made me feel safer.

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@windyshores thanks for reply.
I should know the results by early next week. Had biopsy this morning.

I consulted a breast surgeon today, she suggests me to have the mastectomy on the cancer breast now and have another one anytime in future. I want the flat now and may consider the construction when I can worry about the cosmetics. Will keep all posted of the test.

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