Hello everyone,
my mother had breast cancer 6 years ago. She has chemo, radiation and one breast removed. basically clear ever since. (basically because she had her other breast removed because of worrying about some spots that ended up to be calcium)Her hemoglobion started dropping 6-8 months ago… to make a long story short, she has been diagnosised with ‘breast cancer cells in her bone marrow’ The doctors do not think it has metastatized from her breast rather it may have been in her bone marrow hiding even before her tumor showed up in her breast. They claim they have no idea which came first??? She starts taxotere in a few weeks, after a cat scan on her chest due to the fact she has had a pleural effusion for MONTHS now. The fluid drained from the pleural effusion shows no malignacy, as the x-rays and mri’s have shown no grows in her lungs.
What I am wondering has anyone else heard of this because the doctors claim it is very rare.
Thanks
Teri
Teri
My Mum had bc which had spread to her bones, but they didn’t actually say if it was in the marrow. She had ‘hot-spots’ which gave her pain and she was given radiotherapy on those spots.
I don’t suppose this is the same though, as they didn’t say it was rare.
Ann xx
Hi Teri
I’m sorry to hear of your mother’s diagnosis. I have to say that I am really struggling to get my head around this one. Breast cancer is such a complex disease, but as far as histology and patholgy goes I would have thought that “breast cancer” cells in the bone marrow pretty much means that under a miscroscope those cells bear a resemblance to breast cells and not, say, liver cells. The very definition of metasases is of cells that have travelled from the site of a primary tumour. I can see why you are so confused!
Given that this case is so rare perhaps it would be worth a second opinion…
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
x
Hi teri,
My aunt (ealry 50’s) has just received the news that she too has the ‘very rare’ condition of the secondary cancer now being in her bone marrow. She had been feeling tired, run down and generally unwell and doctors initially told her to slow down. But upon persisting, the found her WBC and RBC were both low, had a blood transfusion and a bone marrow sample taken. She was told initially that it would probably be due to the bone marrow being damaged by the large amounts of radiotherapy she’s had, but the heamotologist told her this week that the cancer is now in her bone marrow. She goes for a further transfusion next week and then to see the oncologist after that. But where does she (and we) got from here? Can anything further be done? Is a bone marrow transplant a possibility??? Does anyone have any ideas, and clinical trials or knows of any questions that she should be asking the doctors next week, we would be eternally greatful.
Hi scoop
I’m sorry to read of your Aunt’s recent diagnosis. Whilst you wait for the other forum users to reply with their experiences may I suggest you give the BCC helpline a call to talk this through. All the trained members of staff on the helpline are either breast care nurses or have experience of breast cancer and will be able to offer you a listening ear as well as support and information. The number is 0808 800 600 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 to 5pm and Saturday 9 to 2pm.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)