I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer exactly 10 years ago - had lumpectomy, chemo, rads and almost finished 10 years of tamoxifen.
i have been fine up till the end of last year when i started getting back pain - this is not new for me, i have had muscular skeletal pain for years, but its always been managed by my chiropractor. However this time it didnt go away and got really bad over xmas, to the point i was struggling to out of bed. It has improved slightly since then and i have more mobility now.
however my chiropractor referred me for a private MRI and they rang today to say i have a compression fracture and a loss of bone density in a couple of areas, which they think is related to my previous cancer. So they havent said exactly its mets, but they are obviously highly suspicious. (although why they cant tell for definite from an mri i dont know)
so i am now waiting for an urgent referral back to oncology for someone to look at the mri and tell me whats going on - could be bone mets, could be osteoporosis that caused the fracture.
i think i always knew deep down this back pain was bad news when it didnt resolve itself as usual, and i think im in shock at the reality that its probably mets. im 47, have a 13 year old daughter and cant believe its come back after 10 years.Â
i just wondered if anyone had any words of comfort or similar experience?Â
I had similar , the reports from MRI said  suspicious of metastases and I was scared witless - this report was sent to the orthopaedic Consultant  . I was referred back to oncology - they have a specialist radiographer very experienced in interpreting scans who said he was doubtful it was mets . I had to have 2 operations due to fractures , they took bone biopsy both times - they were negative . Turned out I had a bone condition similar to osteoporosis. The oncologists are the people skilled to interpret the scans when it comes to mets , I think when you’ve had breast cancer the general radiographers are more likely to suspect mets . I also had a “suspicious areas”  report with spine MRI but the neurosurgeon said no not cancer when he looked at it himself . I hope they find another explanation for you too . X
So sorry to hear about your fracture and possible mets, especially after such a long time - the shock is devastating. The early diagnostic waiting stage is pretty awful and many of us on here will be able to empathise with you. Sending a big hug xxx
I was diagnosed at age 38 with my primary and it turned out that actually, it had already spread to my spine but we didn’t know that until 12 months later when I also started with terrible neck and shoulder pain which wouldn’t resolve no matter what I tried. Had an emergency MRI and they found a vertebra in my neck had collapsed and all I was told at the time was “its likely due to mets” but they also queried osteoporosis, as that is actually a side effect from the oestrogen blocking treatment I was on. It turned out it was both but I can totally relate to how it feels to be on that path of worry and anxiety.
However, I can reassure you that once you’ve received a definitive diagnosis, if it is definitely mets, you’ll get a treatment plan in place. Once you know what your treatment will be, you do find a way of adjusting and learning to cope and live with it. I remember my Oncologist telling me at the time that mets to the bones has a very good long-term prognosis and can be well controlled with hormone treatment or the newer drugs such as Palbociclib/Ribociclib etc. for many years. I’ve since met many people who have been living with bone (and other) mets for many years. There are a heck of a lot of treatment options out there and some people even go into a remission again.
You’ll get loads of support on here and if you have a browse of some of the other posts, you’ll be able to gather lots of information about bone mets and shared experiences from people who are on similar journeys. Ask any questions you want. Be gentle with yourself while you’re going through the waiting phase xxx
My primary was 1999 then returned after 16 years to bones. I had a collapsed vertebrae and had a procedure to rebuild it called Vertebroplasty. I’ve lived with the mets for 7 years with minimal discomfort and even in the last 7 years treatments have moved forward.Â
This sounds like a difficult time. It’s good to see Debs, Jill and Gillyflower have replied to your post.
Our Forum team have asked that we also provide some information that might be helpful.
Waiting for tests results can be very difficult. Hopefully, you won’t have too long a wait for your oncology appointment. If a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer is confirmed, it might help to know we have a number of services that offer information and support.
Whilst you’re waiting to be assessed, it’s important that you’re aware that people who have a compression fracture in the spine are at risk of spinal cord compression. This can be frightening to hear about, but it’s important to be aware of symptoms and know what to do should any develop. You can read more about this on page 24 of our booklet secondary breast cancer in the bone.
Please do call our Helpline if you would like to talk this through more or have any further questions. Our Helpline team have time to listen to your concerns and  often find  can help people more by speaking to them on the phone. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Hi Jill1998,
This is reassuring for me as I am waiting to see if a suspicious area on my shoulder X-ray is due to Mets.
Could you tell me what your condition, similar to osteoporosis, was?
Thank you xx
It’s called hypophosphatasia - it causes your bones to be under mineralised and soft and have tiny micro fractures you are often not even aware of . Fingers crossed yours is down to something non cancer related
Many thanks for replying.
I have an osteolytic lesion so probably not the same as you but I’m desperately hoping it is due to something else other than Mets.
Thanks for the crossed fingers! Xx
