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Breast Cancer/Stage IV Breast Cancer

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Expert: - 3/15/2007


Question
A friend of mine was just diagnosed with Stage IV Lobular Carcinoma that has spread to her bones.  The only treatment they are offering her is an IV of hormones and pain meds for the bone metastasis.  What exactly will the hormones do?  I don't think she has a very long time to live, but she seems to think she'll fight this for a long time. What is usually the prognosis for this type of cancer?  Thank you in advance for your honesty.  Jayne

Answer
When a breast cancer has spread like this it is unfortunately no longer curable. But the hormonal treatment can slow down the cancer growth in her bones (and maybe elsewhere). So it is actually possible that this process can go on for years. But since both patients and cancers are individuals not clones we can not be sure. It may also be a much shorter process. If her bone lesions give her a lot of pain she can also have local symptom relieving radiation therapy to them. That together with pain killing medication is unfortunately all that can be done.

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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