Bone Biopsy Concern

[Mimigram]

Hello,

I have lobular carcinoma metastatic breast cancer stage 4. My tumor markers have been on the rise for the last several months. I have had several scans including a bone scan and so far everything has been negative. My oncologist wants to do a bone biopsy. I am scared to death to do it. She said my hemoglobin numbers have been dropping from 13 to 11 down to 10. She said she had a couple other lobular cancer patients where they found it in the bone marrow. Therefore she wants to do a bone biopsy. Has anyone had this done and can you tell me what you experienced? Were you sedated if you did have one?

Nervous nervous Mimi

[Nocillo]

I had a bone biopsy from the iliac crest. I think they just used a local anesthetic. I really didn’t feel any pain, just a bit of pressure. There was some mild soreness afterwards, but nothing to worry about. I’ve got lobular also and had tumor markers rising. Lobular also likes the stomach lining . That needs to be found by an endoscopy. It won’t show up on a CT or bone scan. Have you had an endoscopy? Are you losing weight? Slightly nauseous? My hemoglobin eventually was close to 8 before they found my cancer in the stomach lining. Good luck to you!

[Mimigram in reply to Nocillo]

Thank you for your response. I have decided not to do it because whether it shows negative or positive results the treatment according to my oncologist is the same Fulvestrant and Ibrance. May I ask what treatment you are on?

Mimi

[Nocillo in reply to Mimigram]

I am on Ibrance and Tamoxifen and Zometa. Before that I was on Anastrozole and Fulvestrant for 5 1/2 years.

[Hidden]

I had a bone biopsy 4 mo nths ago. They used both a local anesthetic and they gave me a bit of morphine. Don't worry, it was not that painful.

[Mimigram in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your response.

[KMBL_]

I also had a bone biopsy. It wasn’t bad. Please make sure they do it CT guided so they get an actual lesion and don’t go in blindly. If they’re looking for it in the bone marrow, that’s a different biopsy. I’ve had both. They didn’t do CT guided for the bone marrow biopsy, and it came up negative. I am full of it in the bone marrow, so they just pulled a random piece. The bone marrow biopsy left me with a little more pain than the bone biopsy.

[Mimigram in reply to KMBL_]

Thank you for your response.

[valentinecalico]

I have lobular mets in the bone too, and a CT guided biopsy in my hip bone when the Mets were discovered on a scan. They gave me local sedation and it really didn't hurt. As someone else said, it was more like pressure not pain. A little sore for a few days afterwards but not bad. Good luck to you!

[Mimigram in reply to valentinecalico]

Thank you for your response.

[love2golfwell]

I had a bone biopsy on my ischium. They gave me a local anesthetic and something to relax me but I was awake. There was quite a bit of pressure but it was not painful. I was also very scared to have this procedure done after Googling it, but it was not as bad as I thought. The worst part for me was them putting an IV in as I have tiny veins. The procedure was CT guided so I felt good that they were getting the correct spot. Best of luck to you. Sending you hugs and prayers.

[Mimigram in reply to love2golfwell]

Thank you for your response. Did they change your treatment plan after finding out the results?

[love2golfwell in reply to Mimigram]

Actually that was when they first discovered my MBC. My tumor marker had been elevated and my oncologist said that was not normal for me. I was not having any symptoms but she had me do a bone scan, CT scan and then an MRI. They showed a small lesion on the ischium which they biopsied and confirmed MBC. I relocated to another state after that and my oncologist here put me on the Ibrance and Letrozole which I have been on ever since, close to 2 years.

[Aquadog]

I had a bone biopsy. It was CT guided and I was given a local anesthetic and twilight anesthetic. I was aware of what was happening, but didn't care - just felt pressure where they went in - and some soreness afterward. If you're worried, please ask for twilight (you won't need full anesthesia). I haven't had a doc tell me no yet. Sending hugs and wishing luck.

[Mimigram in reply to Aquadog]

Thank you for your response.

[CatLady2022]

I had one done in March for diagnosis of MBC to bone. Didn’t hurt one bit. Good luck!

[PJBinMI]

I'm a long timer with MLBC, bone mets, and had a bone biopsy shortly after being diagnosed in March 2004. I don't remember it being painful. Some of us with lobular bc and a good response to treatment do well for a long time. I got almost five years from Letrozole, over 9 years from Faslodex and now have been on Exemestane for nearly four years. Have also been on one of the bone met drugs all along, Zometa first and now Xgeva. I had only bone mets until about 3 or 4 years ago when a blockage in my left ureter (tube between kidney and bladder) was seen on a scan and when it was removed, lobular bc cells were in it. removal helped, but now I have to have a stent exchange every 3 months...... About a year and a half ago, two tiny mets were found on my right superior cerebellum and were treated with stereotactic radiation. Brain scans every three months since have been clear. Shortly after that, cancer cells were found in a cluster of lymph nodes near my right arm pit, so had more radiation. My balance is a bit off, I have an open sore on the tip of a toe that hasn't healed in spite of attention from the podiatrist I am seeing. My poor old feet hurt often, and I have itchy places on my skin, maybe from neuropathy. Sore feet and itchiness bother me more than anything directly related to this crazy cancer! I think your decision to not have the marrow biopsy since results would not change treatment makes alot of sense. It's probably what I'd do. I hope treatment will work well for you for years and years!

[Mimigram]

Thank you so much for your response. I will also be starting Zometa. I definitely have itchy skin mostly on my back. I am not sure what to do about it. Any helpful solutions? I hope your feet heal up that would be tough to deal with.

Mimi

[Kayaker82 in reply to Mimigram]

Hello, I’m on Ibrance 125 mg. and Zometa every 3 months. Shortly after starting Ibrance I developed a very annoying itch all over. I started taking Claritin and the very next day the itch was gone. I take it daily and have had no more itching. Hope that helps. I’m sure the Ibrance was causing the itch.

[Dragonfly2 in reply to Kayaker82]

Dear kayaker! Claritin (loratadine) is being safely prescribed by oncs to alleviate bone pain caused by mbc. I’m so happy that it is helping you with your allergic response! 🙌