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Hi Dede,
Here is an excerpt from one of the papers in the Brain Mets section on this website (Go "home"/Index/...) The main thing my docs tell me is, be vigilant and have a "low threshold" for symptoms before getting an MRI, which is the only way to rule out the mets.
I'd also note, tho, most of these symptoms could be caused by other things! So getting it checked out (and most likely "ruled out") is the thing to do!
Is March MRI month or something? I ALSO got one today! I didn't have a headache when I went in, but after all that banging and jackhammer noise, I was dizzy coming out!
Good luck tommorrow!
Chris
What Are the Typical Symptoms of Brain Metastases?
As tumor cells multiply within the brain, they can press against, irritate, and/or destroy normal brain tissue. As a result, brain metastases can be associated with symptoms such as headaches, seizures, speech problems, weakness, bad vision, pain or numbness, problems moving, paralysis, nausea, or vomiting. Brain meta-stases may cause a feeling of tiredness or fatigue. In addition, brain metastases can cause problems with memory, reading, and talking.
However, not everyone gets every symptom. In fact, about one third of people with brain metastases have no symptoms at all.
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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