New MRI finding

[Flavia100]

Yesterday I had an MRI due to some back pain. I had an MRI, pet scan in February and clean CAT scan in June. Plus all of my labs have been perfect. Now they’re telling me that they see a 2.1 CM metastasis on my L2 area of my spine. I am a bit freaked out but I’m trying to wrap my head around this. I am wondering if anybody has had a similar experience and if they were able to do radiation? I do not want to do more chemo and up until this point I’ve been stable. I’m wondering if they will order another PET scan but I had one in February. Not sure how often I can have those. FYI, I am in the US. I’m just praying that this can be addressed by radiation. I did have an MRI once that showed metastasis, but the pet scan and a CAT scan said otherwise. This is so confusing. Thank you dear ladies .

[Sharon0122]

Hello! I had a met on my spine. I had radiation on it and it went away after two doses. Not sure how big it was, but it has never come back. Best to you and hugs!

[Rafflesbabe]

Hello Flavia 100, I was diagnosed, April 2022, only had CT scans since diagnosis - 2 staging and MRI scans and a full bone scan initially. Had emergency radiotherapy on diagnosis to T9- T11. This week due to unrelenting sciatica type pain and pelvis pain an Emergency Full spine MRI showed potential spine compression to L5. CT scans had been stable in Dec and March. Another dose of radiotherapy yesterday from L4 to S3 ( S2 and L5 showing lesions from diagnosis but obviously no concern to treat them). Although initial diagnosis noted possible Pet scan this has never been done despite prompting. Don't think the hospital are keen. Full MRI spine scan wasn't done with contrast either, but identified the problem.All the best

[Flavia100 in reply to Rafflesbabe]

your pain sounds quite similar to mine. What do they plan to do about your compression that I think is causing your sciatica pain? I sympathize with you because that is a minister of a miserable pain.

[Rafflesbabe in reply to Flavia100]

I had one high dose of radiotherapy on pelvis on Friday. I was put on intravenous dexamethasone after being admitted to A&E Wednesday , and still on - reducing phase for a week. Metastasis was compressing the nerves in the pelvis pending spinal compression. I have relief from leg pains now, but obviously side effects from Radiotherapy, but manageable presently. Unfortunately advised now in Liver! A new fight to face🥊

[Flavia100 in reply to Rafflesbabe]

oh boy you’ve been through a lot. I hope you find relief quickly. What will they do for the liver issue?

[Andersl]

Perhaps if the radiographer looks back at your CAT scan the met can now be seen? I've had that situation. I'm not saying it is but it's a possibility it was missed in June.

I would urge you to call your consultant and let them know you would like radiotherapy to your spine to be taken into consideration as you'd rather that than chemo at this time. The sooner you let him/her know your thoughts, the better.

Hope this helps

Take care xx

[Kerryd22]

I’ve had radiation to T7 without problems. It’s 50% compressed but it’s stayed that way for 8 years. MRI is the most accurate scan but I don’t get them currently unless a CT scan shows something that needs a closer look. There’s a six month wait for outpatients at my clinic but CT scans are relatively easy to get and bone scans are very easy to get. CT scan alongside a bone scan is said to be ideal for the purpose of restaging. I’ve never had a PET scan although I asked why I couldn’t and I was told it was the wrong thing for my cancer which is DCIS with bone Mets only.

Radiation has the advantage that it will kill off the Mets and allow new bone to grow back. Plus it reduces pain levels.

[Flavia100 in reply to Kerryd22]

I didn’t realize the bone grow back after radiation. They are also concerned about the viability of my right hip and are suggesting an orthopedic consult to see about putting some pins in to stabilize…… A lot to process. I see my radiation oncologist Thursday. He is the head of the entire department and I have a lot of faith in him. He always makes me feel upbeat after I see him. I am more than happy to get the radiation, but I would hate the thoughts of someone telling me to go on chemo again. But more than likely, it would mean, perhaps a change from Faslodex to something else. My group is very good about seeking second opinions so I will have them send everything back out to Mayo clinic. My last appointment was a telehealth, and it was very helpful because I did not have to to Mayo. Just taking one day at a time and not processing anything until I have to.

[Flavia100 in reply to Kerryd22]

wow, that’s a long wait. Where are you located? I see these accounts of people having so much difficulty getting their testing done. We grumble here in the United States but we never go through delays like that and generally have choices of where to have treatment.

[Kerryd22]

I’m in Brisbane, Australia.

I was diagnosed after a pathological fracture in my hip gave way. The radiologist told me that there’s so much damage around my hip as both the ball and socket were affected that I’d never find a surgeon to operate if I fell and broke my hip. Same in my spine as T7 is affected and T6 and T8 aren’t a lot better so there’s nothing to drill into but thanks to the radiation and Xgeva and Exemestane I haven’t had any of the problems that she warned me about. I have fallen a couple of times but once the ringing in my head stopped I was just fine! The oncology radiologist was the one who told me that the radiation would assist by clearing out dead bone and letting new bone grow. I read here (or possibly another site) that Xgeva also heals Mets but I’ve never heard that from the oncologist. I’m planning on asking her next time I go in. I know they’re very keen for me to keep taking it.

Last time I had a bone scan I was talking to the technician about the wait times for MRI and she said the problem is that when they bought extra machines doctors heard there was new equipment so they ordered more scans and so the queue gets longer rather than shorter. In-hospital patients get precedence in the queue but every so often they run a late shift to get through a few more patients and they’re also using private imaging providers as they can report the results faster than the hospital can.

On the plus side they have the Gamma Knife which is not the case at every public hospital and I have been told that if I get brain Mets then I’d be eligible for it. I sincerely hope I never have to have it but it’s better than surgery or nothing at all.

There’s lots of testing we can’t get done easily as it has to be sent to America. That’s an advantage of applying for a trial as, if genetic testing is needed, it’s free as part of the process. On the other hand we get what we need and it’s affordable so there’s positives too.

All things considered, I’d be taking the same approach as you. I’ve had IV chemotherapy but just for one new spot I wouldn’t be keen to do it again. It’s not as though you just have a couple of weeks of it. It’s months usually whereas radiation is directed to the site and it can be over and done with after maybe two weeks. And it’s sure to do what it’s intended to do. Chemotherapy is like all medication. Each one works differently for each of us.

Kerry

[Flavia100 in reply to Kerryd22]

Kerry,

I appreciate it reading your post. Sounds like we’ve been on similar paths. I’m anxious to see my radiation oncologist on Thursday. He’s really good. And I trust his judgment. He’s never steered me wrong yet. I agree with you. That Xgeva doesn’t prevent Mets. I believe it is just a strengthen our bones.

[kokopelli2017 in reply to Flavia100]

while Xgeva does strengthen the bones significantly, it also changes 'the microenvironment' of bone...making it less favorable for cancer growth👍. a type of 'cancer repellant' is how I like to think of it😉. obviously not 100%.

[Kerryd22]

I’ll be interested in the outcome of your visit. The radiologist consultant wouldn’t have suggested hip surgery if he didn’t think it was viable. I was warned not to have a fall as if I broke my hip I’d be bed bound until I died and it wouldn’t be long! Thanks doc! I’ll try not to fall.🫨 But if that’s a risk for you and you can have surgery to forestall the possibility then it’s definitely worth thinking about. I’m not sure about the recovery time from hip surgery but oldies do it all the time. Youngsters like us would have no problem 😉

[Flavia100 in reply to Kerryd22]

Kerry, Have you had surgery?

[Kerryd22 in reply to Flavia100]

No. I was diagnosed de novo in 2015. I’ve had radiation twice and I’m still on my third line although I started the third line in 7/2016. My last scan showed the breast tumour was invisible on the scan and many mets have healed.

[worldtravel75]

CT scans go not pick up my cancer but MRI’s do

[atoth17]

I have definitely had radiation to my spinal Mets and they have not given me anymore trouble. I’m not in pain and they remain stable.

[Timtam56]

I have metastasis all over my spines and ribs, and other places. Have had since diagnosis. More than 5 years now. But never seen any change. Been stable all that time on Ibrance and Anastrozole.

I only ever have 3 months cut and delayed bone X-rays. Never MRI or PET scans.

[Cowgirl1951]

I had radiation 2015 to right hip & T7. 2020 to sternum and T5. Jan 2023 to femur. Fatigue was my only side effect. I am on Kisqali and Faslodex. Good luck on your radiation treatments.