Tumor on the Spine

I had BC in 1998 and went through chemo and radiation.  This past summer I started to have a lot of back pain.  Most of the pain is in the thoracic area, then lower back, and neck.  Nothing seems to help the pain.  My family doctor gave me musle relaxants, but that didn't help.  He also had me go to physical therapy.  That didn't help.  All the time I kept trying to tell him this was not a muscle issue but the spine itself.  I had an MRI of the lumbar and a cyst/tumor is seen in the T-12 thoracic area.  My family doctor said he did not know what else to do and suggested I go see a pain management doctor. He knows I had cancer in the past. Is it time to get a new family doctor or what?  I decided to see my oncologist before seeing a pain doctor.  The oncologist did a PET Scan and it showed no cancer.  I don't know if PET Scans indicate if there is cancer in the bone or if you have to have other tests. I am constantly in pain day and night.  I have had two cortisone shots in the spine area two weeks ago.  No much resulted from that.  I have another appointment for this coming Tuesday for cortisone shots.  This doctor is not sure that the cortisone shots are going to work.  I am suppose to get another MRI done the beginning of April and my oncologist has been so kind and wants to see me after I have the MRI and if the shots are unsucessful.  Has anyone had cancer of the spine/tumor on spine/vertabrae?  Thanks for our help!

On 2/9/2007 Vicki Lynn wrote:

I had BC in 1998 and went through chemo and radiation.  This past summer I started to have a lot of back pain.  Most of the pain is in the thoracic area, then lower back, and neck.  Nothing seems to help the pain.  My family doctor gave me musle relaxants, but that didn't help.  He also had me go to physical therapy.  That didn't help.  All the time I kept trying to tell him this was not a muscle issue but the spine itself.  I had an MRI of the lumbar and a cyst/tumor is seen in the T-12 thoracic area.  My family doctor said he did not know what else to do and suggested I go see a pain management doctor. He knows I had cancer in the past. Is it time to get a new family doctor or what?  I decided to see my oncologist before seeing a pain doctor.  The oncologist did a PET Scan and it showed no cancer.  I don't know if PET Scans indicate if there is cancer in the bone or if you have to have other tests. I am constantly in pain day and night.  I have had two cortisone shots in the spine area two weeks ago.  No much resulted from that.  I have another appointment for this coming Tuesday for cortisone shots.  This doctor is not sure that the cortisone shots are going to work.  I am suppose to get another MRI done the beginning of April and my oncologist has been so kind and wants to see me after I have the MRI and if the shots are unsucessful.  Has anyone had cancer of the spine/tumor on spine/vertabrae?  Thanks for our help!

Hello Vicky

I had BC in 1996 and the disease progressed in 2001 with bony sites. I still have only bony sites and no spread to the soft tissues. I am sorry to hear about your back pain and your concern that things may have spread to the spine.

You are being vigilant which is what we need to do.

I had a bone scan, full body and this picked up the disease in the bones wherever they were, initially in the pelvis and sternum and now in ribs, collar bone, skull, hips and spine. The pain is very distinct, a gnawing pain that seems to be worse during the night and quite different to nerve pain or from previous sciatica or general back problems.

I have been on a variety of aromatase inhibitors, unfortunately I have developed resitance to some of them but still have a number of treatment options.

 I was interseted to hear about your scans and the PET and MRI should have picked up any abnormalities but my preference is the bone scan that scans the whole skeleton. You simply get a the whole bony structure scanned, this is why I prefer this type of diagnostic tool. I have had one done just about every 6 months for the last 6-7 years. Also a plain Xray will pick up a bony site if it has developed to a certain amount.

 I am inclined to think your scan is OK though follow up the cyst that was found on the MRI. You could also ask for a blood test (not costly) to measure your tumour markers CA 153 and other relevant blood markers. The fact that your pain is still evident requires further investigation.

Steroid shots have worked in the past for me, then not worked, quite why, I do not know, one given into a rib junction in September worked beautifully and then the next in exactly the same place in January didn't touch me. But I had some palliative radiotherapy to a number of sites and the pain is reducing all the time, it can take up to 12 weeks for the full effect but already I am reducing the pain medication and feel a whole lot better for it.

 I know it is a scary time watching and waiting but I think you are following up the best way you can. I know you are in pain but I hope the pain is something simple and maybe your best bet is to see a pain consultant. You could also ask to see an oncologist and ask to have your scan re-read (another opinion doen't hurt)

 I saw a pain consultant and eventually got on the correct dose of morphine (don't take much) and live my life to the full, yes, I have bony disease but that won't stop me from doing what I want to, I just treat my disease as any other chronic disease and get on with life.

I wish you well, Velvet (UK)

 

On 3/23/2007 Velvetjb wrote:

 

On 2/9/2007 Vicki Lynn wrote:

I had BC in 1998 and went through chemo and radiation.  This past summer I started to have a lot of back pain.  Most of the pain is in the thoracic area, then lower back, and neck.  Nothing seems to help the pain.  My family doctor gave me musle relaxants, but that didn't help.  He also had me go to physical therapy.  That didn't help.  All the time I kept trying to tell him this was not a muscle issue but the spine itself.  I had an MRI of the lumbar and a cyst/tumor is seen in the T-12 thoracic area.  My family doctor said he did not know what else to do and suggested I go see a pain management doctor. He knows I had cancer in the past. Is it time to get a new family doctor or what?  I decided to see my oncologist before seeing a pain doctor.  The oncologist did a PET Scan and it showed no cancer.  I don't know if PET Scans indicate if there is cancer in the bone or if you have to have other tests. I am constantly in pain day and night.  I have had two cortisone shots in the spine area two weeks ago.  No much resulted from that.  I have another appointment for this coming Tuesday for cortisone shots.  This doctor is not sure that the cortisone shots are going to work.  I am suppose to get another MRI done the beginning of April and my oncologist has been so kind and wants to see me after I have the MRI and if the shots are unsucessful.  Has anyone had cancer of the spine/tumor on spine/vertabrae?  Thanks for our help!

Hello Vicky

I had BC in 1996 and the disease progressed in 2001 with bony sites. I still have only bony sites and no spread to the soft tissues. I am sorry to hear about your back pain and your concern that things may have spread to the spine.

You are being vigilant which is what we need to do.

I had a bone scan, full body and this picked up the disease in the bones wherever they were, initially in the pelvis and sternum and now in ribs, collar bone, skull, hips and spine. The pain is very distinct, a gnawing pain that seems to be worse during the night and quite different to nerve pain or from previous sciatica or general back problems.

I have been on a variety of aromatase inhibitors, unfortunately I have developed resitance to some of them but still have a number of treatment options.

 I was interseted to hear about your scans and the PET and MRI should have picked up any abnormalities but my preference is the bone scan that scans the whole skeleton. You simply get a the whole bony structure scanned, this is why I prefer this type of diagnostic tool. I have had one done just about every 6 months for the last 6-7 years. Also a plain Xray will pick up a bony site if it has developed to a certain amount.

 I am inclined to think your scan is OK though follow up the cyst that was found on the MRI. You could also ask for a blood test (not costly) to measure your tumour markers CA 153 and other relevant blood markers. The fact that your pain is still evident requires further investigation.

Steroid shots have worked in the past for me, then not worked, quite why, I do not know, one given into a rib junction in September worked beautifully and then the next in exactly the same place in January didn't touch me. But I had some palliative radiotherapy to a number of sites and the pain is reducing all the time, it can take up to 12 weeks for the full effect but already I am reducing the pain medication and feel a whole lot better for it.

 I know it is a scary time watching and waiting but I think you are following up the best way you can. I know you are in pain but I hope the pain is something simple and maybe your best bet is to see a pain consultant. You could also ask to see an oncologist and ask to have your scan re-read (another opinion doen't hurt)

 I saw a pain consultant and eventually got on the correct dose of morphine (don't take much) and live my life to the full, yes, I have bony disease but that won't stop me from doing what I want to, I just treat my disease as any other chronic disease and get on with life.

I wish you well, Velvet (UK)

 

 

On 5/11/2007 Haileypop wrote:

 

On 3/23/2007 Velvetjb wrote:

 

On 2/9/2007 Vicki Lynn wrote:

I had BC in 1998 and went through chemo and radiation.  This past summer I started to have a lot of back pain.  Most of the pain is in the thoracic area, then lower back, and neck.  Nothing seems to help the pain.  My family doctor gave me musle relaxants, but that didn't help.  He also had me go to physical therapy.  That didn't help.  All the time I kept trying to tell him this was not a muscle issue but the spine itself.  I had an MRI of the lumbar and a cyst/tumor is seen in the T-12 thoracic area.  My family doctor said he did not know what else to do and suggested I go see a pain management doctor. He knows I had cancer in the past. Is it time to get a new family doctor or what?  I decided to see my oncologist before seeing a pain doctor.  The oncologist did a PET Scan and it showed no cancer.  I don't know if PET Scans indicate if there is cancer in the bone or if you have to have other tests. I am constantly in pain day and night.  I have had two cortisone shots in the spine area two weeks ago.  No much resulted from that.  I have another appointment for this coming Tuesday for cortisone shots.  This doctor is not sure that the cortisone shots are going to work.  I am suppose to get another MRI done the beginning of April and my oncologist has been so kind and wants to see me after I have the MRI and if the shots are unsucessful.  Has anyone had cancer of the spine/tumor on spine/vertabrae?  Thanks for our help!

Hello Vicky

I had BC in 1996 and the disease progressed in 2001 with bony sites. I still have only bony sites and no spread to the soft tissues. I am sorry to hear about your back pain and your concern that things may have spread to the spine.

You are being vigilant which is what we need to do.

I had a bone scan, full body and this picked up the disease in the bones wherever they were, initially in the pelvis and sternum and now in ribs, collar bone, skull, hips and spine. The pain is very distinct, a gnawing pain that seems to be worse during the night and quite different to nerve pain or from previous sciatica or general back problems.

I have been on a variety of aromatase inhibitors, unfortunately I have developed resitance to some of them but still have a number of treatment options.

 I was interseted to hear about your scans and the PET and MRI should have picked up any abnormalities but my preference is the bone scan that scans the whole skeleton. You simply get a the whole bony structure scanned, this is why I prefer this type of diagnostic tool. I have had one done just about every 6 months for the last 6-7 years. Also a plain Xray will pick up a bony site if it has developed to a certain amount.

 I am inclined to think your scan is OK though follow up the cyst that was found on the MRI. You could also ask for a blood test (not costly) to measure your tumour markers CA 153 and other relevant blood markers. The fact that your pain is still evident requires further investigation.

Steroid shots have worked in the past for me, then not worked, quite why, I do not know, one given into a rib junction in September worked beautifully and then the next in exactly the same place in January didn't touch me. But I had some palliative radiotherapy to a number of sites and the pain is reducing all the time, it can take up to 12 weeks for the full effect but already I am reducing the pain medication and feel a whole lot better for it.

 I know it is a scary time watching and waiting but I think you are following up the best way you can. I know you are in pain but I hope the pain is something simple and maybe your best bet is to see a pain consultant. You could also ask to see an oncologist and ask to have your scan re-read (another opinion doen't hurt)

 I saw a pain consultant and eventually got on the correct dose of morphine (don't take much) and live my life to the full, yes, I have bony disease but that won't stop me from doing what I want to, I just treat my disease as any other chronic disease and get on with life.

I wish you well, Velvet (UK)

 

 

 

velvet,

 your reply seemed very knowledgeable.  I had B\C diagnosed in oct 2002 had aggressive chemo and radiation staff infection in port etc.......

 I have had back and leg problems since chemo left leg to start.  given pain pills etc.   had epidural shot about two years ago lasted for 2 months . came back about two months ago with a vengence.  both legs ,, back hips shins   enough to make me cry and I do have good pain tolerence.   Doc gave me pills did not even take the edge off. had another shot two weeks ago .It did not work at all.   I feel like I am going crazy the pain is so bad had mri said my discs were bad but did not see cancer. I feel like I should ask for a bone scan.   I just can't get relief from this terrible pain.

thank you for listening

kathy

Hello Kathy

The MRI is much more detailed than a bone scan. I like the bone scan because I can see it and have copy whereas I can't the MRI because it is digital. The MRI is a much more expensive scan than the bone scan so I am told.

If nothing shows on the MRI then you can safely say that there is nothing to be seen, no tumours but something must show to account for your pain. It could be muscular and you maybe should see a pain consultant who can give you a good analgesia.

I sense in you post that you are convinced that you have tumours in the spine, in some ways I think you are experiencing too wide and area for spinal bone tumour pain and I say this only from experience not because I have any medical quals. The area you describe is more like muscular or nerve pain.

Hope you get this reolved,

Velvet

On 2/9/2007 Vicki Lynn wrote:

I had BC in 1998 and went through chemo and radiation.  This past summer I started to have a lot of back pain.  Most of the pain is in the thoracic area, then lower back, and neck.  Nothing seems to help the pain.  My family doctor gave me musle relaxants, but that didn't help.  He also had me go to physical therapy.  That didn't help.  All the time I kept trying to tell him this was not a muscle issue but the spine itself.  I had an MRI of the lumbar and a cyst/tumor is seen in the T-12 thoracic area.  My family doctor said he did not know what else to do and suggested I go see a pain management doctor. He knows I had cancer in the past. Is it time to get a new family doctor or what?  I decided to see my oncologist before seeing a pain doctor.  The oncologist did a PET Scan and it showed no cancer.  I don't know if PET Scans indicate if there is cancer in the bone or if you have to have other tests. I am constantly in pain day and night.  I have had two cortisone shots in the spine area two weeks ago.  No much resulted from that.  I have another appointment for this coming Tuesday for cortisone shots.  This doctor is not sure that the cortisone shots are going to work.  I am suppose to get another MRI done the beginning of April and my oncologist has been so kind and wants to see me after I have the MRI and if the shots are unsucessful.  Has anyone had cancer of the spine/tumor on spine/vertabrae?  Thanks for our help!

One of the areas that I have cancer is in my hip, sacral spine, lower spine and femur. It started in my breasts and is also in my lungs and lymph nodes. My doctor typically had me go for bone scans, CT scans and the occasional PET scan. Recently I had some intense pain from the sacral area that would wake me up and keep me awake. My doctor is having me get an MRI to see if the nerve is involved.

I would get the MRI and see what the outcome is. If your oncologist still feels this isn't cancer and your still are having pain you need to make some decisions. Trust your gut! You know your body! If something is going on keep looking until you find the source of the pain. Even if it means getting a second opinion from another oncologist!! Take all of your  past scan films and let someone else check. If I had put all of my faith in the word of my first cancer doctor I wouldn't be here. Do your homework and find the guy with the best reputation around and seek his advice. If he says its not cancer, then ask him to refer you to someone who can help you find out what the problem is! This could be something related to your  prior radiation, who knows. Something showed up on that initial MRI and  someone needs to figure it out what it is!

Once you have had this disease you need to be hyper-vigilant! You have to be your own best advocate! Keep your eyes wide open and dont stop pushing for answers!

First and foremost how are you feeling. I just sined up on cancer compass because I too am seeking answers. I had a painful father's day with my dad because I found out that that he has spine cancer.  I've been reading and am so scared because I have found that if bone cancer is the exteemities than there are forms of treatment including amputation that can help stop the spreading of this disease.  But the spine is not an a extremity and so I ask myself what is going to help my dad he is only 62 and th docotrs who diagnosed him have been brutal.  They told him that he had 6 months to a year but yet he hasn't even seen an oncologist.  So then what's left to think.  In any case I'd like to hear from you and get an update, maybe you can help me make sense of this all.  I've read that bone cancer is usually the result of another type of cancer but my dad has'nt been diagnosed with any other kind of cancer so I'm totally

confused 

hello my name is samantha , my dad just found out he has cancer in his lungs and has  cancer in his lower back that has now starting to  attached to his spine. and now has gotton into his bones.he can't walk now .he has started radiation for the cancer in his spine.but still waiting on results on what kind of cancer he has in his lungs so they will know how to treat that.they said that he has the fast spreading type and its not curable .so while there treating his spine the cancer in his lungs are growing like wildfire..they said the radition will only prolong his life a little longer .and will help with the pain . it is so hard to watch him go through this. my prayers are with u and good luck on everything

sincerly.

samantha (ladiebreeze99)

For Vicki Lynn:  I have just joined this Cancer Compass hoping I could find some answers, altho I already know they will be hard to come by.

Like yourself, I had Breast Cancer in 2000.  As off August 20th, I was told I that I have been clean for 7 years.  One of a few hundred who did not have recurring BC with the type of cancer I had, within 5 years.  I was asked if I would try a 'trial preventive drug' and because of my girls and possible granddaughters I said yes.  This meant Bone Density tests, Bone Scans, MRI's, etc .... the whole gambit.

Well, I only had one so far, the Bone Density Test.  My onocolgist called back, but called at 8:30 pm from her home to mine, to let me know that I have possible cancer in my spine, around the chest area, but we have to get an MRI.  Trying to find one quickly is like a jigsaw puzzle.  I have found 3 other hospitals in the area that have an MRI, hoping I can get into one of them.

Well now I wait.  I would like to know what type of spine cancer you had as I am researching just about everything now and what the link is between BC and Spine Cancer.  That boggles my mind.

Anyway, I really hope you are doing fine.  Take care of yourself.

Cathey Delahunt

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