Need help with report and questions...please help

Welty · New User Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Ohio

This is the following information for the Cytology Report:

Immunocytochemical stains performed on second cell block reveals tumor cells are positive for MOC31, ER (90% nuclear) and weakly positive for BerEp4, the negative stains are calretinin, WT-1, PR and BRST-2. The staining pattern and morphology, although not entirely specific, but favor metastatic adenocarcinoma of the breast origin.

This is the Bone Imagining Report:

Extensive osteoblastic metastatic disease is identified in the calvarium, cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as within the left femur. Diffus linear foci are identified within multiple ribs bilaterally. There is a focus of increased uptake in the lateral aspect of the femoral condyle which probably represents degenerative disease. Extensive osteoblastic METS within visual axial and appendicular skeleton.

Can anyone explain this to me in simple terms??
Also does anyone know if Insurance companies will pay for a preventive mastectomy with reconstruction?

Welty · New User Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Ohio

My mother had breast cancer 14 years ago when she was 43, had a mastectomy on the right breast, had a clean bill of health. Last year she came down with pneumonia, was hospitalized for a couple of weeks and sent home. In January of this year she was addmitted to the hospital again, went to her cancer doctor for a follow up with the breast cancer, was given a clean bill of health again, even though fluid build up on the lungs was the main cause of the visit in the hospital. In March she was addmitted back at the hopital for fluid in the lungs and low oxygen levels. Was transfered to OSU Medical after a week and a half, then the found the above item...from first posting. They are giving her 6 months to live, how can it be in 2 months she goes from having no cancer to full blwn cancer in stage 4, in the bones??? Did the doctor miss the cancer previously? Her doctor told she had osteoporosis a year ago, could have this been the bone cancer in her spine. How can they determine 6 months? I am very confused right now and am rambling on, sorry for any confusion.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 818 Location: UK

Welty, I am sorry for you and your mother.

Basically the report shows that there is metastatic cancer, probably from a primary in the breast.

The bone report states that there are numerous secondaries in the spinal column and the left femur, and in the ribs.

Treatment of the bone condition would seem to be the most important step to take, and quickly.

It is very easy to miss this unless you are looking for it. My metastasis in the bones was not discovered until a full bone scan was done as part of a battery of tests well after the (late) diagnosis of bc.

The symptoms of osteoporosis and bone metastasis could well be confused.

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 171

Hi sweetie. So sorry your mom is going through this. Yes, it is mets to the bones...from the breast primary. My question, however, is why your mom is being given 6 months to live with bone mets, such as this? I think I would take her to another onc and instead of "doom and gloom" onc, find one that is willing to fight for her; one who will start her on chemo that will take care of these mets, instead of telling her she has only 6 months. That sounds like they have given up on her, without a fight. No one can predict how long she has to live. I've known of women who were given 6 months, who lived years. Start looking for another onc and soon. Wishing her the very best. Keep us posted.
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rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

Welty,
I concur with the previous emails. Staining is a technique used by pathologists to help determine the type of cancer cells. These stains mark certain proteins found by on certain cells. Thus the pathologist concluded that the sample contained breast cancer cells. The bone scan detects abnormal uptake of bone cells throughout the body, which were seen on your study. Breast cancer often spreads to the bone. I hope this helps. Best wishes.
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RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

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