Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/9/2009

Question
My sister n law was diagnosed with breast cancer ten yrs ago which was treated and she went into remission for ten yrs, last yr she developed a breast tumour, and when further tests were carried out it was discovered that she had multiple tumours in her brain and in her spinal column along with bone cancer, she has had chemo and radium which have shrunk the tumours but she has now been diagnosed today with a seperate tumour in the uterus and rectum,she has been in a lot of pain and has been administered morphine for pain relief ,can these new tumours be treated or is this the beginning of the end and if so , what time spec do you think we have left with her , thanking you kindly

Answer
While it is possible that they are related to her breast cancer it is probably more probable that they are new tumours. If so it is not possible to discuss them without more information. It is however clear that she has a stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her brain. That in itself is enough for a prediction. Even with treatment (radiation therapy to her brain) her survival time can most probably be measured at most in a few months, maybe even shorter and certainly not in years. So it is the beginning of the end but not because of her new tumors but due to the fact that her breast cancer seems to have spread to her brain. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!