Bone Metastasis from breast cancer

Yes, I've heard that once an area is irradiated, it can't be done again.  I'm surprised that no one has recommended chemo for you. It never hurts to have a second opinion.

Hi tsisgr8,

In 2012 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, left breast. Tumor was very very small. Had lumpectomy  and sentinel node biopsy which showed 1 out of 7 nodes were cancerous. Had 33 rounds of radiation, no chemo, no scans, no bloodwork to monitor tumor markers. Was put on Arimidex. 1 1/2 yrs later, mets to my ribs, spine and pelvis. I feel that the cancer had already spread before my surgery. No one looked. Switched Oncologists + am being watched carefully with tumor markers and CT scans + skeletal x-rays. Questionable appearance of my liver so am having CT scan at end of March.

Even though I had 2 compression  fractures in my thoracic spine, as well as fractures in my ribs etc., radiation was not recommended. I was immediately put on infusions of Zometa, a bone strengthener, and had these every month for 2 years. Now I'll have them once every 3 months. These infusions helped tremendously!! They relieved my bone pain along with pain meds. Now I'm on just Ibuprophen, use a heating pad, or put a Lidocaine patch on any area that really hurts. I'm currently taking Xeloda pills in order to keep the cancer cells in the bones and not progress anywhere else. Armidex, Tamoxifen, and Faslodex didn't help me much. I may be put on Ibrance when the Xeloda stops working. Cancer is smart and eventually gets used to the drug you're on and mutates so that it can continue to live and spread. That's it's nature.

Are you on Zometa or get Xgeva shots for your bones? That's a must!! Radiation for all your bones isn't the best for your body according to my Oncologist. He didn't want it for me and the Radiologist agreed.  So don't get uptight about not getting more and more of it. Could lead to a blood disorder. The scans we get already give off plenty of radiation.

Keep us posted on your progress. Wishing you courage and strength. We all need it!

                                Kats2

In 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I had radiation and chemo caled red devil because it is so severe. I was sick for a year, but we were able to get the cancer in remission.  Eight years later I was walking along when I heard a large pop and fell to the ground. After a short ride to the emergency room, several shots of morpine, xrays, mri, bone and ct scan, I learned my pelvic bone had been crushed( remember I wasn't doing anytbhing but walking). After eight years it seems my cancer was back, and in my bones. Every where, legs hips spine and skull.  I was on vacation when all this happened, so I was flown back home to my care center VA in Washington DC. I am a veteran.  After being admitted to the hospital and having another workup and being told my cancer was confirmed back at stage 4. On to treatment, went in for my second bout of radiation and on the cancer medicine of palbociclib and started back on hormone therapy. Its been a year now and although it is not in remission the cancer is not growing.. That is a victory! I cried everyday for the first few months. Still do when I try to talk about it. One thing I have learned cancer never goes away once the seeds have passed the sentinel nodes. I live with cancer every day and refuse to let it dominate my life. On the days I hurt so bad that pain meds don't even work, I get out of bed, get dressed, call my best advocate (my daughter) She helps push me. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but then none of us do. Pray, keep fighting it and know you are not alone in your battle. None of us are. Let me know how you are doing and I will try to keep you posted on my journey.