Suggest Treatment For Breast Cancer

Posted on Mon, 7 Jul 2014

Question: My dear sister in law had breast stage 3c cancer never had a head MRI she was diagnosed with 14 lesions in january 2014, said she had a month to live without WBR... She had it , she could not tolerate the chemo drug/pill... sick.. she is starting to have symptoms again. the MRI is not shceduled for another 2 weeks, however, she is having similar symptoms she had originaly they gave her 6-8 months with WBR... Sh looks beautiful, how much t ime does she have approx... any other type of experimental drugs with quality of life?Her Breast CA was Her 2 Nu, double mas. and reconstruction only to find it went to the brain.. Doctor said it was probably there when she was originally diagnosed...

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
can''t say for sure

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to HealthcareMagic.

I have read your query and understand your concern.

She is having advanced metastasis to her brain so prognosis is grim. One cannot say how much exactly she has, but its not more that a year, depending upon the total extent of the spread and the functioning status of her organs where it has spread already.

Also as she having relapse after the radiotherapy, it further reduces her survival period.

She can be given combination chemotherapy along with the tykerb she has taken like capecitabine or letrozole. The combination therapy has increased survival, but it varies from person to person, depending upon the degree of response. It may give her 4-6 months more. Quality of life will be acceptable, depending upon how much her body tolerates the drugs.

You can discuss these drugs with your treating doctor.

Hope i have been helpful.

Regards,
Dr. Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (9 hours later)

Thank you so much for responding. She tried the letrozole and it made her deathly ill. She decided to stop taking it. What symptoms will we be looking for as she digresses..Originally, her legs gave out and she had fullness in her head. The other day she could not get change out of her purse.. Her hand would not work. My goal is to help my brother get through this and make XXXXXXX comfortable..Maybe a miracle, however, just want to be prepared and know what to expect. Thank you for giving me some insight.. It makes me more helpful to my family. Is it a painful death or will she go quickly... How long do final stages last? Again thank you, for your help!

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
cant say what course she may take

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The brain is a very complex structure with all controls in a limited space.

It all depends upon what areas of her brain are involved. These lesions cause effect according to the area they are present and which part of the body is controlled by that area of brain.

For eg. as now the area controlling her hands movements have been affected, similarly if the area that controls her respiration get involved, she will be gone quickly, else she may go slowly with one body parts loosing their function at a time.

So frankly saying, her course is going to be very unexpected. All you can do is to take a good nursing care of her till she lives. Try to keep her occupied and chearful.

Regards,
Dr. Deepika Patil

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj