Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Gradual Decrease In Weight While Suffering From Stage 4 Breast Cancer?
Question: I was diagnosed with stage 4 (at start) lobular BC with mets to my stomach lining and bones in 11/2014. I am ER,PR positive and HER2 negative. I was put on Arimindex,Falsodex and XGeva. I have lost 30lbs in 6 months and continue to loss weight. I have stomach pain after eating and feel full after a few bites. I have nausea and some vomiting. An endoscopy with a biopsy discovered my cancer. Mammograms, and MRI's of the breast showed nothing. Stomach starting to hurt a lot more recently. After I eat I have stomach cramping and nausea. Feel better after I vomit but that doesn't happen too often. Hungry again within a hour but get full quickly. Take 5-10mg oxycodone for pain to bones and 4-8mg Zofran for nausea. What can I take to help my stomach? Probiotics?
Brief Answer:
more investigation needed now.
Detailed Answer:
Dear madam,
I am sorry to read about your condition. Your weight loss is significant.
I advise you to take small in amount but more frequent diet.
You are presently on hormonal therapy for breast cancer along with Xgeva which is for bone pain and bone strength. I would like to know for how long you are taking these medicines. (the photograph you attached is good but of no help for treatment purpose.)
The stomach problem you described is a typical feature of 'linitus plastica' a condition of stomach malignancy where stomach is converted into a small pouch, and it fills easily on eating small amount of food. Eating more food results in vomitting.
Oxycodon also causes constipation and decreased intestinal motility. You should take some gastric motility promoting drug which will help you in emptying stomach. Zofran is good for nausea.
Probiotics will not help in this condition. They are helpful in diarrhoea.
If the symptoms persist, repeat endoscopy may be done to know the present condition of stomach. If there is obstruction of pylorus it can be managed accordingly.
Now if your oncologist thinks that disease is progressing on hormonal therapy or your stomach problem increases further, the treatment can be changed. i.e. chemotherapy may be given.
I hope the information given by me will help you.
Feel free to ask further.
Regards
more investigation needed now.
Detailed Answer:
Dear madam,
I am sorry to read about your condition. Your weight loss is significant.
I advise you to take small in amount but more frequent diet.
You are presently on hormonal therapy for breast cancer along with Xgeva which is for bone pain and bone strength. I would like to know for how long you are taking these medicines. (the photograph you attached is good but of no help for treatment purpose.)
The stomach problem you described is a typical feature of 'linitus plastica' a condition of stomach malignancy where stomach is converted into a small pouch, and it fills easily on eating small amount of food. Eating more food results in vomitting.
Oxycodon also causes constipation and decreased intestinal motility. You should take some gastric motility promoting drug which will help you in emptying stomach. Zofran is good for nausea.
Probiotics will not help in this condition. They are helpful in diarrhoea.
If the symptoms persist, repeat endoscopy may be done to know the present condition of stomach. If there is obstruction of pylorus it can be managed accordingly.
Now if your oncologist thinks that disease is progressing on hormonal therapy or your stomach problem increases further, the treatment can be changed. i.e. chemotherapy may be given.
I hope the information given by me will help you.
Feel free to ask further.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
