laban Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Hello, My husband (59) was diagnosed with LD-SCLC 4/06. He went through 6 cycles of Carboplatin/Etoposide and 35 rads to his chest. He had extensive esophageal problems and had 7 dilatations of his esophagus. He finished chemo 9/06. He underwent 17 rads to brain and finished that 11/06. In 10/06 his PET said “no new suspicious hypermetabolic foci are seen.” The Dr said, "remission." Wonderful news but my husband remained cautiously optimistic. He had a 2 month follow up PET scan since his one in October and I was very surprised to see that the cancer is back in his bones. He also has some other issues going on in his chest and near his vocal cords that could be new hypermetabolic foci or damage from the extensive radiation. My thoughts are it seems awfully soon for so many new areas? I have read that if the cancer comes back 6 months or greater after a complete remission, that there is a better chance of a longer survival. Can anyone give me their thoughts on this one. He will have a bone scan tomorrow to determine the extent of the mets to the bone and we have an appointment with the oncologist on Monday to figure out what treatment options we have available. Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone. I'd appreciate any information I can get so we know the questions to ask. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, and by the way, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! lban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Mets to the bones can occur very rapidly. That is where most of my wife's mets were. They could be dealt with both with radiation and chemo, but then others would pop up. So that could be normal. You might ask the onc about Zometa, which many patients take to strengthen the bones and help prevent further bone mets. Best to you. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Hi, Sorry to hear that things seem to be progressing. Hopefully the PET is showing radiation reaction in the chest. The only SCLC experience I have is with one of my best friends. She was Extensive stage at diagnosis, with cancer cells in the pleural effusion and one lung. She went through 6 cycles of the same chemo as your hubby. Things were shrinking and going away. She was never NED, but moving in that direction. Then new areas appeared just a week or so after finishing chemo in her brain and other lung areas. While she was getting radiation for the new brain & lung spots, it spread to her liver. We too were surprised that it moved around so fast. Hope that the Doctor will get Hubby on a treatment plan that will make it vanish for good this time! Good luck with the bone scans and keep us posted. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Click on the Link to be redirected to the site for more information; http://www.us.zometa.com/info/cancer_bo ... _other.jsp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 Iban, I don't know the information about the stats you give...but I do know this...keep fighting...we are behind you 100%. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted January 5, 2007 Author Share Posted January 5, 2007 Thanks to you all for your support. My husband had a bone scan and we should get details on Monday, 1/8/06. He's feeling pretty good so we're thankful for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted January 9, 2007 Author Share Posted January 9, 2007 Hello to all once again, My husband had a bone scan on 1/4 that did not describe what the PET scan on 12/29 described. We saw the Oncologist yesterday and he is is going to talk with each Radiologist reading the two different scans and hopefully get some insight. The PET read about uptake in 4 areas consistent with Bony Metastisis described as abnormal bony hypermetabolism and abnormal uptake. Can't understand why one test would be so pronounced and the next test not indicate uptake in any but one of those areas. The Dr talks of a possible biopsy in one area, which may just be an old injury. This is really a roller coaster that I'd rather not be riding on. SCLC is pretty tricky, so we're sure hoping that it has not come back this soon. Thanks for this board, because it really helps to unload. laban Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 Hello Again, I so realize there are too few who can talk with me about recurrent SCLC because they are no longer with us. I hate to sound negative, but it's hard not to. There was another area showing mets in the MRI of his thigh that did not show up on the original PET in December. Is it growing that fast?? His appointment for 2nd opinion is 2/12/07. We all know that SCLC is fast growing. Does it spread as fast in the bones? Is it the same cells as original?? YIKES, is waiting going to be more to his detrement? He is more of a realist than most and does not want any sugar coated maybe's. Please, anyone with experience of bone mets after treatment response please tell me what you know. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted January 26, 2007 Share Posted January 26, 2007 Laurie, Alan has not had bone mets and I wish I had more information for you. I can only offer hope in the fact that Alan's cancer has returned a couple of times and he has beat it back everytime. I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 Thank you Debbie, It's nice to know there is someone out there who is going through the same thing. Life gets very lonely. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallcell Posted January 29, 2007 Share Posted January 29, 2007 Laurie; As for my fathers experience- he has ALWAYS had bone mets since his Extensive DX last january 06. Even through chemo and then a few rads to his esophegus and now rads to his brain,,, he has had bone mets. Through all of his treatments they shrink- and then reappear elsewhere. Our Oncologist explained his take on dads mets. He said SOMETIMES bone mets can get so large they cause fracture of the bone. If and when that happens they can start radiation on these large, bothersome mets/tumors. He explained the pain would be an inclination as to a met doing so much damage to a bone. His example was a femur, hip, radius or ulna. Dad has never experienced any pain and we have not had to deal with the bone mets although we know they are there. His brain and organs are problem now and each time he beats it down and I pray your sister will gain much strenghth through this. This drug that others have mentioned sounds interesting too. Read up on it and Stay strong for her- believe me, I know where you are right now and it's not easy. One day at a time, one foot at a time girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbiethewife Posted February 2, 2007 Share Posted February 2, 2007 iaban, My husband had some bone mets when he was diagnosed. Then at his 3month scan checkup it showed they had just about doubled. So the changed his chemo and started him on Aradia(which is similar to zometa). These things seemed to have help him he also is having a little radiation. My husband actually just had another PET yesterday so we will know more soon. I too get frustrated by the maybe answers. Not knowing is very difficult because we want to help so badly. Hanging in there. ~Debbie By the way my stepmom was treated for breastcancer at Moffet and she really liked it there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted February 2, 2007 Author Share Posted February 2, 2007 To all my friends and caregivers with sclc. It's ugly, can't deny that, but all your encouraging words are so appreciated. My hubby is doing pretty good right now. We're patiently waiting for a second opinion from H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa on Feb 12th. His scans have had such different impressions from different radiologists that we're not sure what is going on. Hopefully all the medical records and films that we have forwarded to Moffitt will tell the truth of his condition. I am slowly learning what "one day at a time" means. I also am a firm believer in saying the Serenity Prayer daily. They're so many of you out there that are so much worse off than us. We're fortunate that we have good insurance and great family support. I worry daily about those of you who have no one. God bless you all. Laurie (laban) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enyaw061032 Posted February 3, 2007 Share Posted February 3, 2007 Hi, Laurie: I know the confusion with getting so many different reports. I went through a gut-wrenching situation in November which was my two-year checkup, from NON-SMALL CELL cancer, Stage l which I had removed surgically. I went to my pulmonologist in July of 06 and he told me I WAS CURED.........and then WHAMMIE! Four months later, my surgeon had me do a chest Xray and the radiologist reported that I had a RECURRING CANCER and recommended a cat scan, which showed several masses in chest area, right lung and mediastinocope (not sure spelling) area; then doctor ordered pet scan, which showed me lit up like a Xmas tree. Had bronoscopy, but pulmonologist did not see anything or get anything to test, so he turned me back over to my surgeon, who did a mediastinoscopy (surgery where they cut into my lower neck area just above breast bone, and it still has not healed completely. The surgeon got enough of a sample for a biopsy,which showedit was NOT RECURRENT cancer, but a NEW ONE and it was SMALL CELL, with mets to my spine, etc. I was turned over to my oncologist, who had me get an MRI, which confirmed several masses, and have completed six sessions. I don't feel confident that I was diagnosed properly, but the oncologist feels certain we are on the right path. I sure hope so. I am writing this to you to let you know I know exactly what you have been going through, and it should not happen. Going to the new cancer center is a good idea. I will pray for your husband that the diagnosis and treatment from the new place will turn things around for the best for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted February 3, 2007 Author Share Posted February 3, 2007 Hello enyaw061032.......... No wonder people worry about their healthcare. If the same has happened to you and to my husband, it's no telling how many others out there have been mis-diagnosed. Oh well, enough of that. We cannot change the past. Do you have alot of back pain from your mets to the spine? My husband has little pain in the areas that are indicated on the PET as "hot". He wonders if these are just aches and pains or bone pain from cancer. It's is hard to realize he has cancer when he's feeling pretty good. I hope it's a big mistake, but I realize that is probably just wishful thinking. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco Jo Posted February 4, 2007 Share Posted February 4, 2007 Hi Laurie, There was a lot of uncertainty about my sister's bone mets as well.They finally confirmed them with MRI. They were not showing up on the pets or bone scans, but she was having pain. They have been able to alleviate them with radiation. Also, as far as sclc goes, her docs have said that although sclc usually responds well in the begining, that once it returns it is sort of relentless. I don't want to be discouraging, however. I am also amazed at the way they have helped her to bounce back time and time again. And everyone is different. Best of luck. My prayers are with you... Love, Marco Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laban Posted February 5, 2007 Author Share Posted February 5, 2007 Hello Marco Jo, Thank you for taking the time to share your sisters condition and treatment. Every little bit I hear about sclc and it's recurrence and treatment will help me care for my husband. I don't like surprises, neither does he. Stay strong for your sister and the rest of the survivors and caregivers who post on this site. God Bless You Both, Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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