My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 in her mammary glands and had a complete mastectomy.
After 9 years cancer free, she experienced left knee pain in September 2015. She saw her oncologist and a PCP, and they did and xray which didn't show anything. They said she probably sprained her knee and then her pain got so bad she visited the docs multiple times with same complaints and same outcome. Finally upon demanding, they did a CT scan.
She was awaiting results and ended up at 52 having a slip and fall because of her pain and weakness, completely fracturing her knee in half.
Upon admit, I knew something was up. She was diagnosed having a pathological fracture caused by a tumor. They obtained a sample and, yes, multiple myeloma.
She has family history of cancer, I truly believe something caused her multiple myeloma. For now she underwent bone marrow transplant after local radiation, chemo and now trial meds. Her hair is growing back and she remains optimistic at the young age of 52. I cannot lose my mom.
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Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Hello rmchaveri,
I am am sorry about your mother's problems having two cancers, but welcome to the Forum. There are many knowledgeable people here who could help you out.
It sounds like she has already started quite a few treatments, including a stem cell transplant , induction chemo (?) as well as the local radiation. What trial meds are she taking?
It is good to be optimistic, since many patients do well after treatments too. If you were to share where you live, there may be other people on the Forum who have experiences with the cancer centres there.
Probably since the breast cancer occurred a decade ago, one has to move on, even if there is now another cancer to contend with. I hope that this helps and good luck to you and your mother. She is lucky to have such a concerned daughter in her corner!
I am am sorry about your mother's problems having two cancers, but welcome to the Forum. There are many knowledgeable people here who could help you out.
It sounds like she has already started quite a few treatments, including a stem cell transplant , induction chemo (?) as well as the local radiation. What trial meds are she taking?
It is good to be optimistic, since many patients do well after treatments too. If you were to share where you live, there may be other people on the Forum who have experiences with the cancer centres there.
Probably since the breast cancer occurred a decade ago, one has to move on, even if there is now another cancer to contend with. I hope that this helps and good luck to you and your mother. She is lucky to have such a concerned daughter in her corner!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
I am in a somewhat different situation. I have had light chain smoldering multiple myeloma for the past 6 years with no treatment. 3 weeks ago I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma and had a mastectomy a week ago. I am fairly certain I will be asked to use an aromatase inhibitor, which blocks the estrogen receptors and can lead to osteoporosis as a side effect. My bones have been very strong, but I am worried about the treatment because on the one occasion I was given Zometa, 6 years ago, I had an allergic reaction and was advised never to take it again, so the standard bone protection is not available.
For those who had aromatase treatment or other chemo, were you also given something like Zometa? Did your chemo also include an agent like cisplatin?
I feel a bit like I am walking between two fires.
Thank you.
For those who had aromatase treatment or other chemo, were you also given something like Zometa? Did your chemo also include an agent like cisplatin?
I feel a bit like I am walking between two fires.
Thank you.
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Sandpiper - Name: Sandpiper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6 years ago
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Hi Karen,
My mom had breast cancer in 2002 and had a full mastectomy, went through chemo, and was in remission for years. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2014. She has lambda light chain myeloma. She presented with broken ribs, vertebrae, and kidney failure.
Since diagnosed, she has had an autologous stem cell transplant and multiple different therapies. Sadly, she has not had a lot of success, and keeps battling it daily.
My mom is very healthy and in shape, she is 57, and there is not really any explanation as to why she has this disease. I wish I had better answers for why the two are linked, but sadly I don't. I just wanted to respond and let you know that you are not alone.
-Stephanie
My mom had breast cancer in 2002 and had a full mastectomy, went through chemo, and was in remission for years. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2014. She has lambda light chain myeloma. She presented with broken ribs, vertebrae, and kidney failure.
Since diagnosed, she has had an autologous stem cell transplant and multiple different therapies. Sadly, she has not had a lot of success, and keeps battling it daily.
My mom is very healthy and in shape, she is 57, and there is not really any explanation as to why she has this disease. I wish I had better answers for why the two are linked, but sadly I don't. I just wanted to respond and let you know that you are not alone.
-Stephanie
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Stephanie313
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Hi Karen,
I hope you are doing well. I realize this post is from 2016. I find this is an interesting topic. I also had breast cancer in 2010, with lumpectomy and radiation. Since then, every now and then I would get sharp pains in what I would say is my rib area. My surgeon said this is typical after radiation.
I now have smoldering myeloma. A few people have asked if there is a connection. I was unfortunate to also have been taking 6-MP (mercaptopurine) for my Crohn's disease, which did have a slight chance of causing cancer, as it tends to suppress the bone marrow and hurt my overall immune system. Nothing showed up in my rib area on the PET scan, but I do worry that they will be areas of concern in the future.
Stay well.
I hope you are doing well. I realize this post is from 2016. I find this is an interesting topic. I also had breast cancer in 2010, with lumpectomy and radiation. Since then, every now and then I would get sharp pains in what I would say is my rib area. My surgeon said this is typical after radiation.
I now have smoldering myeloma. A few people have asked if there is a connection. I was unfortunate to also have been taking 6-MP (mercaptopurine) for my Crohn's disease, which did have a slight chance of causing cancer, as it tends to suppress the bone marrow and hurt my overall immune system. Nothing showed up in my rib area on the PET scan, but I do worry that they will be areas of concern in the future.
Stay well.
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Eileenk - Name: Eileen
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, September 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
I was diagnosed today with multiple myeloma and I have to do a 24-hour urine and a bone and bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday. I had breast cancer in April of this year that ended in a right radical modified mastectomy.
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PennyH-Georgia - Name: PennyH-georgia
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 9, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Penny,
This is a really tough year for you. All of us here at the Forum wish you didn't need to join!
Nonetheless, you will find so much support and genuine concern here. Many of the "veteran" multiple myeloma folks have both a long history of personal experience and an extensive knowledge to draw on and share.
Please keep us posted on your journey!
This is a really tough year for you. All of us here at the Forum wish you didn't need to join!
Nonetheless, you will find so much support and genuine concern here. Many of the "veteran" multiple myeloma folks have both a long history of personal experience and an extensive knowledge to draw on and share.
Please keep us posted on your journey!
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Pepperink - Name: Jimmie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 16, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Multiple myeloma as secondary cancer after breast cancer
Welcome to the Forum Penny, although it is difficult to have to be diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. I hope that the tests come back with a result that you have caught this early. Also, best wishes with having had the breast cancer treatments, and hope you are in remission from that!
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
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