how are breast mets found

[chatty65]

Had breast cancer 15 years ago and I am wondering how breast cancer mets are found?


This discussion is related to Breast Cancer to Bone Mets to Liver Mets to Brain Mets.

[Gabby1951]

I had breast cancer (double mast) in Aug. 2007.  At that time, my bone scans and ct scans showed nodules on my lungs and a spot on my spine.  The chemo took care of the lungs, but none of my doctors ordered another bone scan.  But they sure ordered the PET scans (for my lungs, I smoke).  The PETS have always been good.  Then this past October, I had severe pain in my back (thoracic).  My oncologist ordered plain old xrays and they concluded it was osteoarthritis.  Ten days later I was in the ER with sever cramps from the middle of my back to my ribs.  The ER doctor did an IVP of my kidneys.  He found kidney stones, bladder infection, and oh by the way, cancer on my spine!  I spose it was there all along, just never looked for it.  Anyway, had a biopsy, MRI, Bone Scan.  Cancer was found in my spine, pelvis area, and imaged area of my lower extremities.  I had 16 radiation treatments and am now living on oxycontin.  Pain Control.  That's all that can be done for me!  So that's how my breast cancer mets was found.  Severe back pain.

[japdip]

Either by scans or by symptoms. Some Oncologists do routine interval scans and some do not. There is no proof that length of survival is increased when mets is found by scan than if discovered after symptoms appear. I personally don't care to live my life worrying about the next PET scan or Bone scan but it's a personal decision. Regards ....