Staging Question

[janeths466]

Hello everyone, my apoligies for another post. I have been thinking and I am better, my mom is too. We went out today and realized life goes on and it is all about patience. Yesterday was the toughest because we got the news.

Anyway, I wanted to ask if this is relevant to the BC. She got a pet scan and blood tests about a month ago, for her previous lung canceroid (which the oncologist said it is very unlikely it could come back after it was removed).All of this came back good and she said she could come back in February. Now that we have to new BC diagnosis, I told the primary doctor which delivered the bad news, that my mom recently had a full body pet scan that was clear. She was not aware my mom had recently been to and oncologist and said this could be a good sign. Does this mean that the BC may have not spread yet?

I know the pet scan was primarily to continue checking for new tumors due to her past lung tumor history. But in concerns to the breast cancer which we now have knowledge of, could it be a sign of the stage of the cancer?

[janeths466]

Also we were referred to a surgeon, and I am quite scared for general anesthesia on my mom, she has been put under a lot and is a dyalisis patient. Is it dangerous?

[Red71 in reply to janeths466]

I thought I had written a note here but I don’t see it. My husband is a cardiac anesthesiologist so I asked him. He says it can be complicated so be sure to ask if your anesthesiologist is someone who does complicated cases.

[Red71 in reply to janeths466]

My husband just looked up lung canceroids and saw something that said they can metastasize to the breast. Be sure you talk to your mom’s oncologist before surgery in case this affects how they treat this cancer.

[janeths466 in reply to Red71]

will do! yeah the oncologist has been watching her since her hospital stay and told us to so a mammogram after our first appointment with her. (Also my mom had this lung canceroid for 7 years and did not do anything about it until it finally affected her last year and she had it removed)

[Red71]

I just left you a comment about accepting help on your original post so I’m glad to see you are feeling better.

The PET scan could be a good sign but none of us can really diagnose so we aren’t qualified to say. They still might want more tests. I had an MRI before my mastectomy and it was clear so I had no radiation afterward, but now they think there might have been microscopic particles of cancer in my lymph nodes. Cancer is a tricky disease. I don’t want to discourage you, you will just have to wait to see what the doctors say, have patience, and take it one day at a time.

Hugs, Elaine

[janeths466 in reply to Red71]

Thank you! Yeah I understand. She did get her pathology report since most of her lung was removed along with most of her lymph nodes nearby and the doctor said those were all negative as well. But we will see soon after they remove this breast mass.

Also thanks about the anesthesia. I know she can handle alot since she had a major emergency lung surgery in poor health (tachycardia and pressure) and received dyalisis right after. However, this may affect her now. I will make sure to ask! ❤️

[Hidden]

Hi Janeths466....

You've received great medical info from Red71, so I'll not even try to add anything in that realm, but did want to say that I'm glad that you and your Mom are feeling better...

Lynn

[Hidden]

Janet — has any doctor actually said your mother has MBC? There are several stages before MBC. There a big difference between BC and MBC. Hoping her diagnosis is the former but can you clarify please so we can better help? Thanks.

[janeths466 in reply to Hidden]

hello,

well the doctor just said it was cancer. that is all we heard and she said she could not say more until they got the lymph nodes and stuff. we have been going to an oncologist since last year for her previous lung canceroid which she says everything seems to be clear on scans and x rays.

[Hidden in reply to janeths466]

Thanks for replying. BC can metastasize to the lungs but I’m unaware of the reverse. Like others have suggested, now is the time to exhale and wait for the doctor reports. God bless all of you

[PJBinMI]

I remember how scared I was during initial staging! I suspect most of us feel pretty nervous for quite awhile after getting the cancer diagnosis. That clear PET is great news. I did not know that lung cancer can metastasize to the breast. So there is quite a bit there for the oncs to figure out. Do keep us posted, and maybe the news will be great and you will be able to say good-bye to us!