Radiation Therapy And Risk Of A Second Cancer
In rare cases, radiation therapy to the breast can cause a second cancer.
The most common cancers linked to radiation therapy are sarcomas . For women who are long-term smokers, radiation therapy may also increase the risk of lung cancer .
The risk of a second cancer is small. If your radiation oncologist recommends radiation therapy, the benefits of radiation therapy outweigh this risk.
|
SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES |
|
About The Signs And Symptoms Of A Brain Tumour
Symptoms depend on where the tumour is in the brain and how slowly or quickly it grows. They may develop suddenly, or slowly over months or even years.
As a tumour grows, it can press on or grow into nearby areas of the brain. This can cause symptoms because it stops that part of the brain from working normally. Symptoms can also happen because the tumour is increasing the pressure inside the skull.
These symptoms can be caused by conditions other than a brain tumour. But it is important to get them checked by your GP straight away.
Read Also: Breast Cancer Stages Pictures
Diet And Vitamin Supplements
While there is no strong evidence that specific dietary changes such as reducing the intake of methylxanthines found in caffeine, chocolate and red wine and the use of supplements such as vitamins B1, B6, and E improve symptoms, some women find them beneficial. Losing weight and stopping smoking may also be helpful.
The simplest and perhaps most commonly used first line treatment for mastalgia is Evening Primrose Oil, which proves helpful for many women. This preparation should be taken at a dose of four 1000mg capsules per day. You will usually need to take evening primrose oil for about six months. If your pain improves during this time you may be able to halve the dose.
It should be remembered by patients, that evening primrose is not a pain-killer, and must be taken every day. Normally no effect is noted for at least the first 2-4 weeks, after which time symptoms may begin to settle if treatment is effective. Approximately 50% of patients will respond to this form of therapy according to early studies, but this response rate has not been replicated in later research.
In summary, despite the lack of overwhelming supportive data, evening primrose oil may be useful for some individuals, and given the limited untoward effects, is of value to at least try. Patient acceptance is generally high, as it is viewed as a natural substance rather than a hormone or drug.
Pain medication
Oral contraceptive pill
Complementary therapies
Other medications
-
Meet
Also Check: Grade 2 Breast Cancer Treatment
Feeling Vague: Chemo Brain
While being treated with chemotherapy, some women feel vague as if theyre in a fog or find they have memory or concentration problems. This is often referred to as chemo brain.
It is not clear exactly what causes these memory and concentration problems in people with cancer, so calling them chemo brain may not be accurate. Mild cognitive impairment is a more accurate description used by doctors. Another term is cognitive dysfunction.
People use the word cognitive or cognition in different ways. Most people who have cognitive changes are able to do everyday things. But they may notice they arent able to do some things quite as well as before they had cancer. Some of the symptoms people describe include:
- memory loss and forgetting things you normally remember
- difficulty finding the right word for something
- difficulty following the flow of a conversation
- trouble focusing on or doing more than one thing at a time
- difficulty organising things or planning ahead.
Ongoing research is being conducted to better understand how best to manage the symptoms of cognitive impairment related to chemotherapy. There are some strategies that have been suggested that might be helpful, including:
You May Like: Stage 4 Triple Positive Breast Cancer
Low Levels Of Red Blood Cells
Cancer and its treatment can affect your bone marrow. The bone marrow is where your body makes red blood cells which carry oxygen around your body.
A lower than normal red blood cell count is called anaemia. Having too few red blood cells means your blood carries less oxygen and you can have:
- shortness of breath
- tiredness and lack of energy
- dizziness
- an increase in heart rate
- chest pain
Also Check: Stage 3 Lymph Cancer
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
Being diagnosed with metastatic cancer comes with many challenges. These challenges vary from person to person, but you might:
- Feel sad, angry or hopeless.
- Worry that treatment wont work and that your cancer will get worse quickly.
- Get tired of going to so many appointments and making so many important decisions.
- Need help with daily routines.
- Feel frustrated about the cost of your treatment.
Talking with a counselor or social worker can help you cope with these complicated emotions. Managing stress is also an important aspect of self-care. Practice meditation, mindfulness or find other ways to reduce stress and anxiety.
What Are The Localized Symptoms Of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer most often spreads to the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. It doesn’t spread exclusively to those locations, but these are the most common sites of metastasis.
Most metastatic breast cancer patients don’t experience symptoms in their breasts, says Dr. Taiwo. That’s because in the majority of cases of metastatic breast cancer, a person was previously diagnosed with an earlier-stage breast cancer and received localized treatment to their breasts. Only a minority of metastatic breast cancer patients are initially diagnosed with stage 4 cancer if they have a breast mass, it likely isn’t painful, she says. Very rarely does a breast cancer mass grow to the point where it becomes ulcerous and painful.
Thus, most symptoms of metastatic breast cancer vary depending on where the cancer has spread. Someone who has cancerous lesions in their bone will have a different set of symptoms than someone whose cancer has metastasized to their brain or liver. Here’s an overview of the different symptoms for these common sites.
Recommended Reading: Invasive Adenocarcinoma Breast Cancer
Potential Causes Of Dizziness
The first step is to speak with your care team. They may be able to work with you to figure out whats causing your dizziness or balance issues. It may just be a simple lifestyle change you need, but its important to determine if your dizziness is a sign of a more serious concern.
Below are some potential reasons behind this symptom.
Dehydration: If youre experiencing diarrhea, nausea and vomiting from your treatments or the underlying cancer, its easy to become dehydrated. Dehydration may cause a steep, sudden drop in blood pressure that may leave you feeling dizzy and at risk for passing out.
Getting up too quickly: The medical term for this is orthostatic hypotension. It happens to many people for a variety of reasons. If youre dizzy from cancer or its treatment, changing positions too quickly may make it worse.
Anemia: Marked by abnormally low levels of red blood cells, anemia may occur as a side effect of chemotherapy or as a symptom of some cancers, and may cause dizziness.
Heart disease: While rare, some heart problems may develop after cancer treatment, such as irregular heartbeats, damage to heart valves or heart failure. These may make you feel dizzy. Heart-related side effects are more likely if youre 60 or older, a young child or a female. Heart damage is also more common if you were treated with high doses of chemotherapy drugs called anthracyclines. High-dose radiation to the chest may raise the risk for heart disease after cancer treatment.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
Learning about your condition can empower you to make informed decisions. Some people only want to know the basics, while other people prefer to know every detail about their prognosis. Here are some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Are there things I can do to improve my prognosis?
- What are my treatment options?
- Are there clinical trial options that might be appropriate for me?
- Will palliative care continue even if I stop cancer treatments?
- How often will I need to schedule follow-up appointments?
- Do I need to consider hospice care?
- Should I choose a person to make medical decisions for me when Im unable to make them for myself?
- What legal documents should I have in place?
- What resources are available to help me cope with my prognosis?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A metastatic cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest things you may ever encounter. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with advanced cancer, youre probably feeling a lot of complicated emotions. While most metastatic cancers arent curable, there are treatments that can ease your symptoms and prolong your life. Ask your healthcare provider for resources and consider joining a local support group. Talking with other people who are going through the same thing can be healing during this emotionally difficult time.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/20/2021.
References
You May Like: Can Weight Gain Be A Symptom Of Breast Cancer
Pain And Skin Changes
During and just after treatment, your treated breast may be sore. Talk with your health care provider about using mild pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen to ease breast tenderness.
The treated breast may also be rough to the touch, red , swollen and itchy. Sometimes the skin may peel, as if sunburned. Your provider may suggest special creams to ease this discomfort.
Sometimes the skin peels further and the area becomes tender and sensitive. This is called a moist reaction. Its most common in the skin folds and the underside of the breast.
If a moist reaction occurs, let your radiation team know. They can give you creams and pads to make the area more comfortable until it heals.
Fatigue is common during radiation therapy and may last for several weeks after treatment ends.
Fatigue is mainly a short-term problem, but for some, it can persist .
You may feel like you dont have any energy and may feel tired all of the time. Resting may not help.
Regular exercise, even just walking for 20 minutes every day, may help reduce fatigue . Getting a good nights sleep is also important.
Talk with your health care provider if you are fatigued or have problems sleeping .
Learn more about fatigue and insomnia.
How Is Dizziness Treated
Some medications may help to decrease the feelings of unsteadiness or imbalance associated with dizziness. These medications are also known as motion sickness drugs. Examples include:
- Meclizine
- Dimenhydrinate
- Scopolamine patch
Prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy through the use of antiemetic drugs may also decrease feelings of dizziness. Go to the Nausea and Vomiting section for more information on treating this side effect.
Read Also: Treatment For Malignant Neoplasm Of Breast
How Does Cancer Cause Signs And Symptoms
A cancer can grow into,or begin to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure causes some of the signs and symptoms of cancer.
A cancer may also cause symptoms like fever, extreme tiredness , or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use up much of the bodys energy supply. Or the cancer could release substances that change the way the body makes energy. Cancer can also cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these signs and symptoms.
Re: Does Chemo Cause Dizziness And Loss Of Balance
well i had my 3rd FEC last Monday but I had a very traumatic week and it looks like its caught up wi me
theres something different every time. Bad taste, insomnia, chronic tiredness, crepey skin and thats just the old man
i find the rampant depression the worse. I had a job convincing them that it knocks out your tablets and its as if you havent been taking them for the last 20years
anyway, they seem to have that under control now. Roll on the end
You May Like: How Fast Does Triple Negative Cancer Grow
A What Is The Differential Diagnosis For This Problem
The causes of vertigo can be organized into peripheral and central etiologies. Up to 80 percent of causes are peripheral, with benign paraoxysmal positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis and Menieres disease the most common causes .
PERIPHERAL ETIOLOGIES
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: BPPV, the most common cause of vertigo, is thought to be caused by free-floating debris within the posterior semicircular canal . This condition presents as sudden onset of vertigo following changes in the position of the head.
Vestibular neuritis:Sometimes referred to as labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis is thought to be a viral or post-viral inflammatory disorder affecting the eighth cranial nerve. It is characterized by rapid onset of severe vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and gait instability lasting a few days, followed by gradual resolution .
Menieres disease:Menieres disease should be suspected when patients present with vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, and ear fullness. Menieres disease is caused by excessive endolymphatic fluid.
Ramsay Hunt syndrome:Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by activation of herpes zoster in the geniculate ganglion. It is characterized by acute vertigo, ipsilateral facial paralysis, ear pain, and vesicles in the external auditory canal or on the auricle.
Perilymphatic fistula: Perilymphatic fistula is characterized by vertigo that is worsened by sneezing, coughing, lifting, or loud noises.
CENTRAL ETIOLOGIES
Chiari I malformation
What Are The Systemic Symptoms Of Metastatic Breast Cancer
As with any cancer that has progressed throughout the body, there are some systemic, or full-body symptoms of metastatic breast cancer. However, because these symptoms also overlap with symptoms of many other health conditions, it’s best to consult with your doctor before jumping to any conclusions to ensure you get proper treatment.
In the case of metastatic breast cancer, these systemic symptoms are a result of your cancer cells starving your body of nutrients. “When you have metastatic disease, the body is really competing with the cancer for survival, nutrition, and energy,”Evelyn Toyin Taiwo, MD, hematologist and oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, tells Health.“The body has to work a little bit harder than it normally does [to function.” Here are some of the more common full-body symptoms of metastatic breast cancer:
Also Check: Vernon Johnston Baking Soda
Expected Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer produces symptoms that most people would expect. These symptoms are tied to the basic functions of our lungs. These symptoms include:
- Coughing. Coughing that doesnt go away or gets worse.
- Shortness of breath. Feeling out of breath, tightness in the chest, feeling like you cant breathe, or feeling you cant get enough air.
- Coughing up blood, phlegm, or mucus. Coughing up blood-tinged or rust-colored phlegm or mucus.
- Chest pain. Pain that gets worse with laughing, coughing, or deep breathing.
- Wheezing. Wheezing is that high-pitched whistling sound that happens when exhaling.
Which Type Of Breast Cancer Is Ibrance For
IBRANCE is for hormone receptor positive , human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the bodyor HR+/HER2- mBC.
Hormone receptor positive includes both estrogen receptor positive and/or progesterone receptor positive subtypes. If your subtype is ER+ and/or PR+, you’re more likely to respond to hormone therapies, like an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant, that reduce the effects of hormones.
If your subtype is HER2-, your cancer cells have less HER2 protein expression and, therefore, are less likely to respond to anti-HER2 therapies.
HR+, HER2- is the most common subtype of metastatic breast cancer, representing approximately 60% of all cases.
IBRANCE combination therapy was studied in 2 different clinical trials. Whether youve previously received hormonal therapy for your metastatic disease before or not, talk to your healthcare team to learn if IBRANCE is right for you.
Read Also: How Long Is Breast Cancer Treatment
Changes In Bowel Habits
It is important to get to know your body and what is normal for you, including your bowel habits. Changes in bowel habits can include diarrhea or constipation or more frequent bowel movements. These symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions including cancer, so it is important to see your doctor.
When To See A Doctor/go To The Hospital
If any symptom that comes up feels like a medical emergency or seems life-threatening, it is important to seek medical help immediately.
Symptoms that develop gradually and are persistent, without any improvement, should be discussed with your healthcare provider, so that a quick evaluation of the cause of the symptom can be discovered.
Also Check: What Is Stage 3b Cancer
Cancer Signals In Both Men And Women
Appetite loss. Many conditions, from depression to the flu, can make you feel less hungry. Cancer can have this effect by changing your metabolism, the way your body turns food into energy.
Stomach, pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers also can put pressure on your stomach and make you feel too full to eat.
Blood in the stool. Cancers can bleed, but so can a bunch of other things, like ulcers, hemorrhoids, infections, or a sore. When you see red in your poop, the blood is often from somewhere in your GI tract, meaning your esophagus, stomach, or intestines.
One way to tell where the blood is coming from is by how light or dark it looks. Bright red could mean the bleeding is in your rectum or the end of your intestines. A darker color means it may be from higher up, like a stomach ulcer.
No matter what the cause, blood in your stool needs to be checked out. You may need a colonoscopy or other tests to find the problem.
Blood in the urine. When it shows up in your pee, blood could be a warning sign of a problem in your urinary tract. Kidney or bladder cancer can cause this symptom, but it could also be due to an infection, kidney stones, or kidney disease.
Cough that doesn’t go away. A cold or the flu can make you hack away, but it’s also a potential symptom of lung cancer, along with red flags like chest pain, weight loss, hoarseness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. See your doctor if you can’t seem to shake it, especially if you’re a smoker.