New Mets to brain/WBR

Darlene Denise · 08-29-2010, 07:51 PM

Patricia: It might be that you need an additional onc to consult and advise with your local onc. Find one at a facility that does a lot of clinical trials for bc brain mets. You need someone who specializes in this type of situation. I get treatments from my local onc, consult at Dana Farber which enables me to access their clinical trials and actually had Cyberknife for the brain lesions at UNC. My local onc is receptive to this and welcomes info from thought leaders at leading NCI facilities to help us navigate my care. No one doctor can know and be on top of everything plus take care of patients everyday. This is were researchers come in handy.

Avastin has been proven as safe when using it on a patient that has brain cancer or brain mets, and has shown efficacy in some primary brain cancers, however, not a lot of data proving effective for breast cancer brain mets. Just because a drug can pass the BBB doesn't mean it will be effective on the breast cancer that is there. This area of treatment is not well understood or studied at this time for many reasons. Long way to go on this from what I have learned.

Wishing you well...Darlene

dchips1 · 09-04-2010, 10:44 PM

Hi I have whole brain rads for 6 brain lesions the largest on my brain stem in the first part of 2007. My rads were down to my C-2 spine. So it affected my ears, and my jaw. But it was effective in eliminating the tumours. I had 1 lesion that popped up in different spot in 1/08 gamma 2 craniotomy of 99% necrotic (dead) tumour with some active cells so far my last MRI's have been good, with Tykerb and herceptin on board.

Overall I have done well with the radiation side effects I thought of the beams (Icould see a light when the beams crossed) As healing lights!!

I'am a little short on the short term memory, but who isn't raising 20 somethings and a 10 year old!!!! I Will be 43 in October, so is it chemo/rad brain,or like everyone else.... That is what little notebooks and to Do lists were made for!!! I also work puzzles and going to go back to reading novels, it is good to retrain your brain.

Peace prayers and Rainbows of hope to You !!
Darita

Be brave and never let the DR's push you around!!Seek this site out and follow through with second opinions as others have posted even if it is a trip to another state!!

All of this is scary, trust God, enjoy life and laughter. Laughing is good therapy mentally and physically.

StephN · 09-05-2010, 10:45 AM

Hello -

Yes, the news of "BC spread to brain" is a kick in the gut. Catch your breath and take the next steps looking forward - never back.

Temador and Xeloda has been a long term successful combo for a few people who have tried it for brain mets.

You should see a brain SPECIALIST even if you have to travel a ways to get a good one.

I had two brain mets treated with gamma knife 5 years ago. No new ones since then.

Please post with your progress and questions.