I was dx with spinal bone mets last September. came off Arimidex (which obviously didn’t ‘hold’ them, and onto Aromasin. Reacted really badly to that and had slight progression, so changed to tamoxifen in January. Due for bone scan next week and have horrible feeling it’s spread into my hips - which means I have 1 AI left to try, which in turn makes me wonder if my pathology has changed - I was strongly ER+ and HER-.
I know secondary biopsies aren’t supported by NICE but if I have progressed I’m inclined to argue for biopsy - but would like to know what I’m letting myself in for!!
Nina
I had a bone biopsy done about 13 years ago Nina. You are right it was not a happy experince. I had it done under local anesthetic and IF I ever had it done again I would ask for something stronger like a general anesthetic! The could not get a sample and had to keep giving me more locals. It was supposed to be done fairly quckly but they could nto get a sample as my bone was so hard. They asked if I wanted them to give up after an hour or so! I asked if this would mean I needed to return. I was told yes they needed this biopsy. I told them well you had better get on with it because I won’t be back! I am not trying to put you off but his was by far the most awful procedure that I have had to endure. But other ladies on here wrote about it and apted to have it done under general so hopefully one of them will see your post and give your their spin on it. Let us know how you get on. I am sorry this is not a positive post but I am telling you how it was for ME. You may have a much easier time. Val
Where did you have it taken from Val?
Broomstick lady, if you have any enlarged nodes they could biopsy those instead. I have secondary BC in the bone (spine), and had some spread to the nodes in my chest. They did a biopsy of these recently and it revealed that my cancer has changed it’s receptor (which is probably why endocrine therapy was no longer working). When I was first diagnosed my cancer was strongly ER+ Progesterone - and Her2 -. Now my cancer is weakly ER receptive, moderately Progesterone receptive, but strongly Her2 receptive.
I am now due to start Herceptin and Capacetibine (as my Onc thinks Herceptin works better if it is commenced with chemo). He is also switching me from oral Bondronat to infused Zometa.
I had the biopsy taken from my hip. I had to lie on my tummy and the nurse held my hand! Boy did I need it!
Thanks Val and everyone else. I had a pretty tough time with my first core biopsy in that the local didn’t work, at all, and my tumour objected very strongly to being interefered with. I remember lying there after about the fourthy attempt, knowing they’d got to do it, but in such pain every time they tried. I finally took 10mg of valium, and finally we got it done. the same kind of problem tho when they were inserting the wire prior to surgery - as soon as it touched the tumour I was in agony. I did ask for a vial with some of my tumour on it so I could get my revenge by smashing it to hell, but they wouldn’t play ball!!
No Lemongrove, I don’t have any enlarged nodes - or none they’ve told me of!! So it will have to be bone if its anything. I think I’m going to enquire of BUPA if they will cover a bone biopsy as then I stand more chance of getting a GA - my policy covered me for primaries but not secondaries, but I wasn’t able to use it as there was no private breast onc in Aberdeen at the time. I’ve found since I can get investigative CT scans via them, which means I get same day results which helps a lot. An awful lot of ‘anti’ tho from the onc team to going private for anything - and there is only 1 breast onc in Aberdeen so I have no choice where I go unless I want to travel 4 hours either way.
Nina
Seems I was lucky. I had a bone biopsy to my lowers spine.
I never had any pain - though I could feel and hear the doctor scraping the bone.
I expect the lack of pain was to due to th spinal compression - not to the local anesthetic.
Also had a nurse to chat to inbetween C.A.T scans.
Having read all the posts I hope I never have to have another - compression has loosened a lot.
Gloria