Bone Damage Post Treatment - Concerned about secondary bone cancer, please advise =[

Cervical cancer post treatment and side effects
1

Hi guys, it’s been a while.

Almost a year ago to the day I was diagnosed with cervical cancer and treated via chemo, radio and brachy. Treatment finished in October and I got my all clear at the end of January. So it’s been about 5 months and I had a follow up in May, just an internal examination to say all was still fine.

However, here’s where it all kicks off again. About 6-8 weeks ago I started experiencing an awful lot of pain on my left side. The pain was at the very bottom of my back and (excuse the details) mostly in my left bum cheek. Working was awful (I work in a busy store) and it was terrible at night too, I’d have a lot of pain in bed.

I went to the docs and was given Tramadol and she recommended an x-ray just to check I hadn’t done something. She mostly thought it was back pain, not helped by being post-treatment etc. However, on some days it was excruciating so we booked an x-ray quickly.

In the space of the past two weeks, I’ve had so many scans. The x-ray didn’t show much, so I had a bone isotope scan which showed something so I was sent for an MRI, with the radiologist asking if I’d had a bad fall recently (I hadn’t). After the MRI, I was told that I had a fracture in my pelvis, likely an effect of the radiotherapy during treatment. It’s usually something that occurs further down the line, but it does happen. The radiologist needed to do a CT Scan to determine the course of action for the fracture. I had this yesterday and received a phonecall this morning.

Apparently there’s something ‘not right’ about the fracture and it looks more complicated than a fracture. I’m being send for a ‘specialised’ MRI tomorrow (not sure what that is) and then a Bone Biopsy next week. I’ve been told the biopsy is rather painful, so I’m not looking forward to that at all. The docs won’t say much, other than that the cancer itself may have caused bone damage.

I’m so worried right now. I had three tumours, the largest of which was on the left of my pelvis, where the damage is. I’m not sure how common secondary bone cancer is or how it’s caused, so was hoping someone may have more insight. Best case scenario seems to be that the tumour damaged the bone, and that the cancer is still gone. The docs said that the sorts of MRI/CT I had during treatment wouldn’t necessarily pick up bone problems.

Anyway, apologies for the essay. I haven’t been this worried in so long and it’s come at such a bad time. In two days time it’s a year since my diagnosis, I was hoping to be feeling happy! Any advice anyone has is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Hani

2

Hi Hani,

I had a pelvic fracture from the treatment.It was very

painful and I couldn't stand on my leg.

My GP thought the worst and sent me for

an emergency MRI at my local hospital.They got the

results straight away and put me in a state of panic

saying they had found a lesion on my spine!!!

Long story short,when the scans were looked at by

the oncology team where I had my cancer treated,

they said it was an easy mistake to make that pelvic

fractures after radiotherapy present on scans the same

as bone mets!

So fingers crossed it turns out to be a fracture and

nothing else.The worry never ends does it(((HUG)))

Take care

Becky x

3

Hi Becky,

Thanks for your message, it's really helpful. That's what I'm hoping, that because the fracture was caused by treatment it looks odd or something to someone that isn't trained in oncology. Just scared for the bone biopsy and such.

Can I ask if they treated your fracture in any way? Or was it a heal over time thing?

Thanks again,

Hani

4

Hi- I experienced an almost identical experience to you. After the MRI I was told that my sacrum had been fractured - a side effect of all the treatment. Rest, gentle exercise and calcium. I know that my body will never be the same again.I have never had pain like it. 

5

Yeah,same as Juliered.I have to

take a cane with me if I go round the

shops.Mooching around seems to be

harder on the old legs and hips than

straight walking.

I don't work so can do things at my own

pace.Also I am already on large amounts

of Gabapentin for the nerve damage so that

helped.

Let us know how you get on.

Becky x

6

Hi Becky, It seems very common to have this sort of after effects. I teach so I am on my feet a lot. Walking is okay- but I can not walk a long way. I seem to ache eveywhere. The sun helps- and relaxing on the beach!!

Take care. 

7

Yes,I am sure that alot more ladies

have the same problem.Would be good

to hear from them.I thought I was

the only one for along time.I felt like

I was just unlucky with how the treatment

had affected me.

Mmmm,that sounds lovely,could

do with some beach time.

This cold and rain is going on too

long! Enjoy X

8

Just sending you all hugs, so sorry to hear that you have all this pain so long after treatment.

(((((HUGS)))))

Be lucky :-)
Tivoli

9

I do have pain in my hips and lower back from the radiotherapy and if I sit down getting up is the worst part  hope all goes well xx

10

Ibuprofen helps but dont take if you have kidney issues....my pain went off eventually but I get stiff if I sit too long and ache if  i sleep on one side too long so move about and move position when sitting or lying down.

i also find sleeping with a pillow under me or sitting on a pillow, also lying on the sofa with a pillow to support my back and a hot water bottle helps as well but be careful as it can cause burns I have them x