HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - 2nd try

Rich66 · 05-08-2012, 08:37 PM

Sounds like they must have at least a needle biopsy to warrant the attempt to shrink the tumor with endocrine therapy. might not pursue node biopsy until lump/mastectomy.
But..the differential diagnosis scanwise between mets and spine trauma is a bit challenging from what I've seen. My elderly mom had a spot on spine/neck that had various types of scans trying to make sense out of it...and I don't think they really know 100% w/o bone biopsy. If I remember, MRI might be the best scan for it. Worth delving into if it's the difference between stages. But...might be beneficial to leave it murky if it only means addition of zometa...potentially worthwhile either way.
(giving you a little nudge to politely butt in)

05-08-2012, 08:37 PM	#6
Rich66 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 3,431	Re: 2nd try - brain mets from the start Sounds like they must have at least a needle biopsy to warrant the attempt to shrink the tumor with endocrine therapy. might not pursue node biopsy until lump/mastectomy. But..the differential diagnosis scanwise between mets and spine trauma is a bit challenging from what I've seen. My elderly mom had a spot on spine/neck that had various types of scans trying to make sense out of it...and I don't think they really know 100% w/o bone biopsy. If I remember, MRI might be the best scan for it. Worth delving into if it's the difference between stages. But...might be beneficial to leave it murky if it only means addition of zometa...potentially worthwhile either way. (giving you a little nudge to politely butt in)