bone metastasis ...how soon after treatment?

[katarina777]

I was diagnosed with IBC in June of 07. There was a tumor about 10 cm x 9 cm. I had six chemo treatments with Taxol, Cytoxin and Adriamycin and this was followed by a radical partial mastectomy of the right breast, and radiation. Upon diagnosis, no lymph nodes were palpable, and an MRI done two weeks prior to surgery revealed no lymph when at least 20 lymph nodes were involved and this included fatty tissue surrounding them, and some were stuck together as well. I was also started on tamoxifen and initially, I had some bone pain in my arms that disappeared again.
My last radiation was in February, 08.  For the past several weeks, I have been having pain in my left arm that comes and goes and can be quite severe. (the mastectomy was on the other side) I called my oncologist twice because I was worried about spreading  of the cancer to the bone, and also, because the pain was different, and it moved up into the shoulder and I had not injured it. I was reassured by the nurse. Then , a week ago, the pain abruptly moved into my right leg. It was most severe in the calf area but also going up and down, and behind my knee and in my knee. A deep and dull pain. I also could not work normally any longer and still cannot. My foot sort of bends over to the side, and stairs are impossible and I am pulling the foot awkwardly behind me. I called my GP,  and she noticed that the calf was also 3 inches bigger than the other side. We were both concerned about a blood clot. Ultrasound was negative for blood clot, and an x-ray of my right leg was also negative.

My question: I am still very concerned about bone mets, because all this pain is unfamiliar to me. Also, how soon after one finishes treatment can bone mets become a problem? I never did have a bone scan done.  I am 49 years old and the cancer was estrogen receptor positive.   Thank you for considering my question.


This discussion is related to Symptoms of metastasis.

[katarina777]

Thank you very much for your comment, especially that bone mets can come at any time. About my lymph nodes though, they were not negative. They could not be palpated at any time, and they showed up on neither CT scan nor MRI, but during surgery the surgeon found about 19 of them to be positive and took them all out. Plus, they had spread further into adjacent fatty tissue. This is why I am especially worried. And tonight, I got up from my chair at my desk and my right leg just caved in, sort off. I thought I broke it,,hurt like hell. It is now  three hours later and I am not able to walk on it even one step. The leg just feels so weak and like anything could break it. Same with the arm. It feels like every day it spreads a little further, and now also when I bend my neck, and my shoulder, and the other arm is starting as well, and a little in the right groin. I feel like I am ancient, like 95 and brittle. Thank you about what you said. it's really helpful. Plus, I already had problems with my arm and shoulder before I started the chemo, and I could not lift either arm over my head. This greatly improved with chemotherapy, but came back right around radiation time. I just don't understand how anything can go this fast, like arthritis. But then, the tumor grew that quickly as well.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I understand your concern.  Bone metastasis can develop at anytime during the course of cancer and even for some, during or right after chemotherapy.  The large tumor at presentation can be a risk for metastasis, though the negative lymph nodes are reassuring.  I suggest you discuss about a possible bone scan or a PET scan with your doctors to rule out bone metastasis and for peace of mind.  I also suggest you continue your hormonal treatment but should be vigilant on the side effects like venous thrombosis.  Regards and God bless...