What do doctors test to find out if we have metastized?

Question

I have breast cancer. If it is not in the lymph nodes and the breast has been removed, how will we ever know if it becomes metastized? Will it show up in the blood?

Answer 1

Cancers are usually staged according to the TNM system, which has to do with the tumor, the number of nodes that are involved and whether there are metastases at the time of the orginal diagnosis. At the time of the original diagnosis, you can be screened with a PET scan for metastasis.

In the case of a woman who has had a mastectomy with negative nodes, there are number of concerns. First, whether the tumor recurs locally, that is in the remaining soft tissues or bone on the affected side, or whether a second tumor occurs in the remaining breast. This can be screened for with mammography and evaluated with an MRI of the remaining breast and the chest wall.

The tumor can also recur in regional lymph nodes, usually in those in the armpit or the axilla. These can be felt by you or your health care provider.

There are a number of places that tumors can metastasize to. Your health care provider can also order lab work or blood tests to follow tumor markers in the blood, but these are not always 100% effective.

Another thing you might want to look into is having an Oncogene Dx test & score done. This may help predict your risk of recurrence.

When you have breast cancer, following up regularly with your oncology team is important, including having mammograms on the remaining breast. Your case is so individual that if you have questions, ask your oncologist. If your oncologist can't answer your questions, ask the nurse--the oncology nurses are usually very smart and can help. Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi , I am a cancer patient too and I like the simple advice that Stony gave re: your question. First and foremost, do not live in fear. "Fear is the mindkiller. I will face my fear and stare at it and watch where it may go...." Second, replace your fear with hope,even faith which is stronger than hope. Hence, our prayers are with you. In answer to your question about how you know if the cancer has metastasized , there are markers in the blood that can be measured by specific blood testing. There is a link that can shed more light on this question below in the source text box. Hope this helps reduce any anxiety.
Keep the chin up, we can beat this thing.

Answer 3

First all my hopes and prayers are with you. You really should put these questions to your doctor but after losing a close friend I learned that the way works is once you have that cancer it can metastasize in other parts of the body ie: liver,brain, bone etc. ....but like I said "PLEASE" talk to your doctor about this. Don't live in fear and know that others are praying for you. Good Luck ^_^