Bone Cancer Metastasis

Question: What is the relation of bone metastasis and cancer? Is there anything or drug that can help? if it has reached the spinal cord area, could it cause temporary paralysis?

Answer: When cancer spreads (metastasis), it may spread to the bone. Many drugs and combinations are used in this situation. Your doctor needs to evaluate the situation.

Question: Bone metastasis and primary cancer.? Can anyone please explain how the primary cancer may never be found. The doctor says that the cancer has metastasis and it is in the bones and have used radiotherapy to help treat it , but say they cannot cure it. They have done all the MRI scans and CT scans and mammograms and you name it they have done it. So why with all the technology can they say they may never find the primary. They have said that if they find it they can not cure it, it is terminal, but surley if they find it they can treat it and slow it down. Is it a case of, why bother finding it because they cannot do anything. Basically I need to know if it is true that in some cases the primary is never found, and if so WHY?, how can they not find it. With an estimated 2 yrs left to live, (which I think is being overly optimistic, judging by the deteriation over the past 3wks) I would have thought they would have done everything possible to try and extend this time. I haven't got cancer it is my sister, she is in the hospice and was only diagnosed on the 14th Nov this year, just need this information as to why they are not appearing to do everything possible for her, she's my big sister and she has always looked out for me, I feel I need to look after her now.

Answer: You have got some very good answers here. It is certainly NOT true that the doctors think "why bother". Some primary cancers are so tiny that, even when the doctors know that it is there, they cannot find it. Even when the cell structure of the metastasies gives clues as to where the primary growth might be it can remain hidden. Medical technology and diagnostics don't have all the answers yet - even though it has moved on in leaps and bounds over recent years. As others have said, finding the primary would not extend your sisters' time - the disease is already to well established. I am so sorry.

Question: what is the prognosis for bone metastasis of breast cancer?

Answer: It's not possible for anyone but the individual's doctors to say. I would think it depends on a number of factors, including the extent of the spread. Once the cancer has metastasised it isn't curable, but can often be managed, sometimes for years. And bone mets are often the easiest to manage. I know someone who was diagnosed with bone mets eight years ago. Becuase of treatment, the spread is far less extensive than it was when the metastasis was first diagnosed. She has her ups and downs,but works part-time and enjoys life.

Question: looking for treatment options for breast cancer metastasis to the bone marrow?

Answer: Here is a site with alternative treatments and much good info.

Question: do you know about any treatment for advanced breast cancer with liver and bone metastasis?

Answer: There are many effective treatments for metastatic treatment. These treatments fall into three main types: systemic (whole-body) treatment for cancer cells throughout the body, local treatment for a specific metastasis that is causing problems, and pain relief. You may know of only one place where the cancer has spread to. But once there is one site of spread, it is likely that the cancer is growing in other places. The cancer is so small in that area that you don't yet feel any symptoms, and it doesn't show up on X-ray tests. Surgery at this point may not be a good treatment choice for the known area of cancer because it's unlikely to get rid of the whole problem completely. So if you have one or a few metastases, your doctor will probably recommend a whole-body treatment aimed at all the cancer cells in your body. This treatment may include: hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies such as Herceptin (chemical name: trastuzumab), new experimental (investigational) treatments given to participants in clinical studies to see how well these treatments work (such as Avastin [chemical name: bevacizumab], which works against new blood vessel formation), and complementary/integrative therapies. But you may need treatment that works fast to take care of a dangerous problem, such as reducing the risk of bone breaks from areas weakened by cancer, cancer spread to the brain, and spinal cord damage from cancer putting pressure on it. Moving ahead quickly with local forms of treatment, such as radiation, is more important than waiting for systemic therapy to kick in. So your doctor will need to find one or a combination of treatments that will fix this problem right away. Treatment is aimed at the specific threatening metastasis, and may include one or more of these options: steroids, radiation, and surgery to relieve pressure on tissues or to stabilize a broken bone. You may also be given pain-relieving medicines until systemic therapy starts to relieve your symptoms. Pain relievers can also make you comfortable if the cancer does not respond to whole-body treatments. If you have developed bone metastases, your doctor may add bone-building drugs over time.

Question: WHY MOST OF THE CANCER TYPES MAKE METASTASIS IN BONE?

Answer: Some cancers are more prone to metastasis to the bones than others. Blood supply is an issue in transporting the cells, but the chemical environment of the bones also plays a part. See the references below:

Question: My aunt is recently diagnosed with secondary bone metastases from breast cancer which was succesfully..? ..cured 8 years ago. One CT scan the only affected organ are the back bones and the ribs but not the liver and lungs. The lymph nodes are also clear. In my aunt's case, what will is the stage of this cancer? No mass is found in both breasts.

Answer: General Information Bone Metastasis Bone Basics Cancer Facts Future Outlook Frequently Asked Questions Bone Metastasis The bone is a common site for metastasis. Bone metastasis or "bone mets" occurs when cancer cells from the primary tumor relocate to the bone. Prostate, breast, and lung cancers are most likely to spread to the bone. However, other cancers are not excluded. Bone metastases do not begin from the bones but move there from the primary tumor site. On the other hand, primary bone cancers are rare cancers where the primary tumor actually starts in the bone. Therefore, bone cancer and bone metastases are not the same. http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/cancertreat/tissue_bone/bonegeneral.shtml#three

Question: if i have bone metastasis with primary tumor, does it mean i have cancer?

Answer: Yes I was first DX with breast cancer, than the cancer spread with is often called metastasis (mets) to the bones. Having cancer metastasis to the bones is not a death sentence many survivors live many years having bone mets. I get talk online chat often with a woman who has survived over 25 yrs already have bone mets

Question: Is there hope for survival of my mother having metastasis breast cancer alongwith ulcerated growth in breast? my mother was detected breast cancer 4 years ago, she was taking ayurvedic medicines and living a healthy life,but just 4months back she got an ulcerated growth in breast which is now open and doctors say its a metastasis stage cancer has spread to liver, bones,brain.She is HER-2 positive, but still doctors say we cannot give any treatment to her.Shud we keep watching her die like this or can we do something please help me to save my mother.

Answer: Yes she can still be treated. What kind of doctor is she going to?! I don’t know why she did not get treatment 4 years ago and of course this is why the disease has progressed to the point it is no longer curable, but she can still survive many years with proper treatment.

Question: Hi, does anybody know of anybody who survived bowel cancer with metastasis to pelvis? My mum has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, at the moment they said its spread to pelvis, i think this means lymph nodes not bone, but they are doing a scan to see if its in the lungs next week. I read survival isnt good, but i need hope

Answer: I'm sorry but... If I had cancer I would NOT get chemo or radiation. Most people will however, rely on their doctors who are trained by the medical schools that are supported by the drug industry that really don't want cancer to be cured. They make too much money from treating cancer. Go to http://cancertutor.com/ and read everything you can there. Also buy the book called "Cancer, Step Outside the Box" available at Amazon where you can read testimonials from others who have read the book, including another author who wrote 2 books about treating cancer himself. Highly recommended.

Question: typical time between responding to chemotherapy and reemergence of small cell lung cancer? My mother-in-law was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer (with bone metastases) after having had a lumpectomy (long story) last April. She is on chemotherapy and is hanging in there but we are wondering - roughly - how long this "calm spell" typically lasts before things go downhill once again.

Answer: Ruth, I am so sorry that your mom is going through this. In terms of expectations, small cell is generally very aggressive. Try to focus on enjoying your time with her and celebrating small victories like "calm spells". Best wishes

Question: Cancer metastasis rate? Is there anyone here that knows if a person can develop lung cancer and have it metastasize to the bones in less than a month? My father broke his shoulder March 19, 2007 and went in for an x-ray. The x-ray showed his lungs as well. No sign of mass. He went in for MRI March 30th to see if the break had to be pinned or if it would heal by itself. Diagnosis April 2nd was, "The bone wouldn't have broken but the cancer has weakened the bones." First we had heard of cancer. He was admitted April 9 for pain control, released April 15th home between 2-2:30 p.m. and passed away between 2-4:30 on the 16th. We don't know what type of cancer it was. We were never told. The worst thing about this is that February 24, 2007, my nephew passed away from Ewing's sarcoma. He was 25. He was diagnosed June, 2006. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks. I know that everytime he went in for anything from a cold to a hangnail he was put through every test known to man. Blood tests, blood/urine/stool cultures, x-rays, CAT/MRI scans, stress tests, apnea testing, fasting blood sugar, Holter monitors, G.I., you name it. Why in God's name did none of this show anything until it was too late. These tests were done 3-4 times a year. Not just once. I believe someone dropped the ball. Dad was 86. In March he pulled the tissue between his ribs shoveling snow. He was over the sanitation deptartment in their town and still mowed and levelled yards for people that were "too old to do it themselves". He had a great appetite to end and ate anything offered. He did have trouble breathing the last 3 months but doctors attributed it to age. Also, for the past 2 years he had been having what he called "gray outs". He could walk across the room to put his glass in the dishwasher, walk back and sit down and after sitting everything would go gray. Like I said, he had many, many tests from head to legs including MRI and CATs. Prostate screening was done also. Still, none of the docs or specialists found what was causing his symptoms.

Answer: I am sorry for your loss. Cancer is an insideous and deceptive disease. As you can now see your father was basically asymptomatic until his cancer was very advanced. And, yes this happens far more often than people realize. Diagnostic testing is not foolproof and unless you are looking for cancer . . you might not find it. We had no clue my 17 year old son had widespread abdominal cancer. He was playing high school basketball and having trouble keeping up so we had him examined. He had just had a well physical one month before so we never suspected anything. We thought mono or the flu. He was hospitalized for having fluid in the abdomen . . and after a CT they found he was filled with cancer. His cancer had metastasized in approximately 28 - 30 days. It has been two years and he is still fighting this disease. And it is still deceptive. He looks pretty normal. He has no symptoms and yet we know that he still has cancer remaining in the abdomen. I am so sorry your family is going through this. Be angry at the cancer. That is what claimed your fathers life. There are few answers when it comes to cancer. You may ask for your fathers medical records and talk to his doctor about wanting to find out the type of cancer he had. Perhaps the doctors did not receive a pathology report in time? You should ask so that you can have piece of mind. I hope you find what you are searching for.

Question: Can one be cured from bone cancer with "Breuss Diet" (vegetables and fruit juices)? Consider that one already have metastasis in other internal organs (liver, perhaps elsewhere) and is sentenced to death by the medicine.

Answer: No, I'm sorry. There is no particular food or drink that has been shown to affect the progress of any cancer, at any stage.

Question: How effective is radiation on bone metastases? In terms of 1) killing cancer, 2) reducing pain, 3) preventing fractures. I have had it done to my pelvis and remember it made the pain worse for a while. Is this likely to happen if I get it done to my ribs? Are there any other side effects specific to radiation on your ribs?

Answer: While I agree with both the Doc and Tweety I'll tell you that radiation helped my husband's hip so much he was able to reduce his morphine by one long acting a day. More than that I can't say. I wish you well, and hope you get all the answers you need from your onocologist. They are right, they make big money, so don't let them shove you through until you have each and every question answered to your satisfaction.

Question: wrong diagnosis treatment for bone metastasis? Effects of using the drug SUTENT for wrong diagnosos of cancer

Answer: "SUTENT is used to treat an advanced form of kidney cancer. This is called advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). At this time, it is not known whether SUTENT will improve symptoms or help patients with this disease live longer. ... SUTENT may harm an unborn baby (cause birth defects). Do not become pregnant. If you do become pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Stop taking SUTENT. Do not breastfeed while taking SUTENT. SUTENT may cause heart problems. Tell your doctor if you feel very tired, are short of breath, or have swollen feet and ankles. SUTENT may cause your blood pressure to rise (hypertension). Your doctor may check your blood pressure. You may need treatment for high blood pressure. SUTENT may cause a hole in your stomach or bowel wall or bleeding from the tumor. These side effects could cause symptoms such as painful, swollen abdomen, vomiting blood, and black, sticky stools. Your doctor can tell you other symptoms to watch for. SUTENT may cause bleeding, most often from the nose. You may also see bleeding from your gums, rectum, or any wounds that you have. Tell your doctor if you have any bleeding. SUTENT may interact with other treatments or products. Tell your doctor or nurse about each medicine, vitamin, or herbal product that you use. Do not take St. John’s wort while taking SUTENT. Also, do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking SUTENT." This from the Official SUTENT website http://www.sutent.com/ I'll add my own warning to the above: Change doctors if prescribed this medication, as it is useless for any beneficial purpose and clearly violative of the Hippocratic Oath. Hmmm... a drug that pretty much doesn't do anything helpful and has tons of detrimental effects, which amazingly has FDA approval. Why am I not surprised? "Metastases do not exist either. There are cancers and cancer-equivalent developments obeying the same rule, all as associations of HH’s with their corresponding organ developments. There is in fact no mechanism for cancer cells to travel from one part of the body to another, nor any way of explaining how one cancer in one tissue learns to mutate and produce the exact correct, histologically different development appropriate to another tissue. As every oncologist knows, each organ, tissue, layer or cell group shows very specific types of growths, necroses or ulcerations, because they are histologically quite distinct. The travelling cell theory would not be able to explain the precise changes needed to account for each separate incident." - http://www.newmedicine.ca/overview.php

Question: re-occurrence of anal cancer/ hepatomegaly with metastasis? my father, aged 57 years, weight: 78 kgs Past History: 30/07/2004: colorectal anal cancer. APR surgery with colostomy 12/08/2004: cycle of 3 Chemo prescribed by oncology physician, drugs prescribed: oxaliplatin, leucovorin etc. 3/11/2004: Repeat cycle of above 3 chemo with radiation therapy. 25/06/2008: little raised CEA around 25. Whole body PET Scan is normal. Now my father has re-occurence of cancer with badly damaged liver & a condition called hepatomegaly with metastasis. its stage 4. Can anybody please advice me more regarding the options of treatment, how much time does he have. He had a pathological fracture last week at the outer thigh-hip joint & underwent DHS surgery. The Dr feels the cancer has also spread in his bones. So he will be immobile (in bed) for atleast 5 weeks. please explain what is hepatomegaly with metastasis. guide & help me. aany direction u point out or guidance u give is above all forms of thanks.

Answer: Hepatomegaly with metastasis means he has an enlarged liver and his colon cancer has spread to it. I am sorry, but this is not curable. Any treatment at this point is to either prolong life for as long a possible or to elevate symptoms. A stage 4 colon cancer has a 5 year survival rate of 5%.