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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
brain metastases from breast cancer treatment/chemotherapy options
Answered by
Cleveland - OH
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.
brain metastases from breast cancer treatment/chemotherapy options
by winter09, Dec 28, 2008 01:06PM
My sister (47) was diagnosed with breast cancer (T3, ER+, PR+, HER2-) 4 years ago. She had radiotherapy, followed by mastectomy+radiotherapy and chemo with anthracycline, followed by tamoxifen.
October 2007 she was diagnosed with brain metastases (not operable). She was treated with radiotherapy and temodar, which initially had some effect, but then in July 2007 the metastases progressed and her left leg and arm were paralyzed.
She is currently taking CCNU (she had her second treatment a few days ago) and several natural supplements, including Boswellia Serrata (4,200 mg/day; CoQ10, melatonin, bromelain, low fat cottage cheese and flax oil and seeds) and she is on a low fat diet. However, no much improvement has been noticed.
I would appreciate any advice/suggestion about treatments of brain metastases that could be relevant to my sister's case. What do you think about using xeloda, faslodex, letrosole (femara), or insulin potentiation therapy in the treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer?
It seems that a major issue is whether the drug crosses the blood brain barrier. However, it is known that in case of brain tumor/metastases the integrity of the blood brain barrier is compromised?
October 2007 she was diagnosed with brain metastases (not operable). She was treated with radiotherapy and temodar, which initially had some effect, but then in July 2007 the metastases progressed and her left leg and arm were paralyzed.
She is currently taking CCNU (she had her second treatment a few days ago) and several natural supplements, including Boswellia Serrata (4,200 mg/day; CoQ10, melatonin, bromelain, low fat cottage cheese and flax oil and seeds) and she is on a low fat diet. However, no much improvement has been noticed.
I would appreciate any advice/suggestion about treatments of brain metastases that could be relevant to my sister's case. What do you think about using xeloda, faslodex, letrosole (femara), or insulin potentiation therapy in the treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer?
It seems that a major issue is whether the drug crosses the blood brain barrier. However, it is known that in case of brain tumor/metastases the integrity of the blood brain barrier is compromised?
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, Jan 02, 2009 02:15PM
, Jan 02, 2009 02:15PM
Dear winter09: Brain metastasis can be a difficult problem to treat. Without evaluation, it is impossible for us to speculate on the specifics of your sister's situation. You might consider an opinion from a brain tumor specialist at a large center if this is a possibility.
