How fast can skin mets occur
 

I am new to the boards but have had a roller coaster week of thinking I am heading for surgery to now possible mets to my bones and skins. The mets to my bones might be a false positive on the PET/CT due to recent GCSF shots to boost my immune system during the previous 24 weeks of chemo. Yesterday, however, we met with our surgeon to discuss the future possibility of a modified radical mastectomy, and I showed her these little bumps on my left breast that had appeared over the last two days. Needless to say they were suspicious and I left the office after two small skin biopsies where taken. Wonder if mets to skin has occurred for anyone else so quickly after six months of chemo?

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

You can go towww. ibcsupport.org and do a search for breast cancer skin mets. There is alot of information available and many posts from people who experienced skin mets.
Good luck. Take good care of yourself.

http://www.ibcsupport.org/search.php?q=skin+mets&s=s

http://www.ibcresearch.org/left-side/site-map/

http://ibcwatch.evidencewatch.com/

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

The correct address of IBC support is www.ibcsupport.org.
The other links have information about skin mets too.

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

I think Tricia might be referring to me.... About 3 months ago I posted that I had been diagnosed with early stage melanoma and there was a string going regarding the link between bc and melanoma. I was lucky in that I didn't need to do further treatment after they finally got clean margins. Mine was in a mole and very different than the skin mets described here. But great information - I had never heard of skin mets before so thanks for your post.

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Sounds like possible skin mets. Mine looked like acne as well and I could definitely feel the nodule underneath the skin.

My skin biospy results came back HER+, ER-, PR-. which was different then my primary cancer pathology. Doctor started me on Doxil and Cytoxin but after three months, cancer markers were going up and my breast had not changed visably.

Scan results this week were not good and I have mets all over the place. Inflammatory breast cancer seems to spread like a wildfire even though I was on a chemo that should have worked in addition to Herceptin. I am now on Xeloda with Tykerb likely to follow soon.

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Hi,
Have you seen these two threads about skin mets? There are alot links and some information about skin mets and suggestions on how to treat them between the two links below. In fact one of the on going clinical trials for skin mets is located at the Washington Tumor Group in your state. You or your doctor might want to give them a call. The information is in one of the links below.
The two conventional creams used for breast cancer skin mets are Aldara (Immiquimod) and 5 Fu cream (which is Xeloda in cream form).

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=45308

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=47383

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

University of Washington Tumor Group

http://depts.washington.edu/tumorvac...ntific_131.php
It is a clinical trial using Abraxane and Immiquimod cream (Aldara)for skin mets.<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Good Morning MommaS. Just a quick note to sy Hello and tell you I hope your surgery went well. I was thinking about you so I decided to drop you a note. I hope you are doing well. When you are able, send me an update on how you are doing. Best wishes. Mary L

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Hi MommaS, just wishing you well on your new drug combination. I am on tyverb/xeloda with herceptin for skin mets and lung mets. The lung mets are clearing fast and the herceptin stopped the skin mets from oozing. They are still visible but not spreading and I am hoping that if I stay on herceptin longterm like MaryL that they will finally go away. Very best wishes to you, I hope your next scan shows good results.

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Momma Sharon,

How is the vaccine trial going?

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Jackie:

I am not in the vaccine trial but plan to discuss with my oncologist. I was diagnosed with brain mets in November and recently underwent 15 rounds of WBRT. I was able to restart my oral chemo (xeloda) and am currently on my week off. I am also on tykerb which I started in November. So far, my cancer markers are dropping. Brain MRI on Jan 21 to see where things are at...although I have been told it may take three months to be able to see how effective the WBRT was on my IBC mets to brain. Skin mets are still present but the skin seems to be intact so far and new chemo seems to be effective.

Hanging in there and hoping 2011 gives me a break.

Sharon

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Sharon,

How did it go with your MRI yesterday?

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Hi Sharon, Just wanted to say hello and send my best wishes to you. You really have been through alot. I hope things settle down and you can start feeling better. I will pray for you and I hope 2011 is a good year for you. Mary L

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

All:

Thanks for your well wishes. My MRI went well. Preliminary review by the nurse practioner of my films show shrinkage of the brain mets. I will have another MRI in two months to see if I will need any additional brain work.

I also met with my oncologist the week before (Jan 14). After asking me a lot of questions about how I was doing with the new meds, etc., she finally did my physical exam and after looking at my breast became completely choked up because the changes were so dramatically positive. For now, I will continue with both xeloda and tykerb.

I am thankful for the positive changes and now need to work on improving my appetite and work to regain some weight.

Peace,

Sharon

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Sharon, how are you doing? I havn't read any new posts and I decided to check on you. I hope the mets are all going away. Let us know how you are. I am praying for you. Mary L

How fast can skin mets occur
 

Not to alarm you but, yes I have seen it. My own mother had fibroids but also had a lump that was cancer. Just remember early detection = early cure, so the sooner you get your diagnosis, the sooner you and your physician can decide on the treatment for you and get started on the road to recovery. I wish you all the best. My mother is now 5 years cancer free

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Just checking to let everyone know that my cancer markers have decreased significantly over the past two months. I see my oncologist this week and will have my markers measured again. My next brain MRI is March 22. We are hoping for continued positive news on the brain front.

Wellness to you all!

Sharon

Re: How fast can skin mets occur
 

Thanks for sharing the wonderful news !!
Keep on putting one foot in front of the other !!