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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
BONE METS
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
BONE METS
by litlle bit, Aug 30, 2001 12:00AM
MY MOTHER WAS DIAGNOSED WITH INVASIVE LOBULE CARCINOMA 6 WEEKS AGO. WITH ALL OF THE TEST, THEY HAVE SINCE FOUND THAT IT HAS METASTISIZED TO HER BONES. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN-I KNOW THAT ITS IN HER BONES, BUT I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING THAT IS INVOLVED SUCH AS PAIN, SURVIVOR RATE, ETC. ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE OF HELP WOULD BE SO APPRECIATED. I KNOW BEING IN HER BONES ARE BAD, BUT I JUST NEED TO KNOW HOW BAD AND WHAT OUR OUTCOME/CHANCES ARE? THANK YOU, SHERI
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Sep 04, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Sheri, The goals of treatment for breast cancer that has metastasized are focused toward controlling the disease and preventing or treating symptoms of the disease. With these goals in mind there are various treatments that are used in this situation and the recommendations made are based on such things as the estrogen receptor status of the tumor, your mother’s general health, and symptoms that she might be having. Bone metastases are not immediately life threatening, and without involvement of such critical internal organs as the liver, hormonal treatment is usually tried before chemotherapy. In addition to treatment of the cancer, there may be recommendations of treating the bone metastases with medications called biphosphonates, these are used to try to prevent possible complications of the bone disease such as fractures or pain.
