Bone Mets And pain

Matt,

I've had several bone mets — half of my mets have probably been to bone, several in left tibia, one each in left and right femurs, and one in left proximal humerus, some treated with SBRT radiation, others with surgery (including a pretty major resection of my left shoulder), a couple with both (radiation and then eventual surgery).

Fortunately, I never had severe bone pain with any of the bone mets, although the first ones I had (in my left tibia) I noticed before they showed up on any scan — it wasn't pain per se, just a sensation that something wasn't right.  When they told me my humerus was down to 10% mass in one spot and they were worried I'd fracture it rolling over on it in my sleep, they were stunned that I wasn't hurting more.  It ached, but not to the extent that they would have expected.  Odd, but we're all different, so maybe I'm not a good example.  But personally, I don't recall any burning sensations in the skin or soft tissues above the mets.  It could depend on where in the bone the mets are located and the inflammatory response in nearby soft tissues, and perhaps the BRAF inhibitors are playing some role?

Joe

Matt,

I've had several bone mets — half of my mets have probably been to bone, several in left tibia, one each in left and right femurs, and one in left proximal humerus, some treated with SBRT radiation, others with surgery (including a pretty major resection of my left shoulder), a couple with both (radiation and then eventual surgery).

Fortunately, I never had severe bone pain with any of the bone mets, although the first ones I had (in my left tibia) I noticed before they showed up on any scan — it wasn't pain per se, just a sensation that something wasn't right.  When they told me my humerus was down to 10% mass in one spot and they were worried I'd fracture it rolling over on it in my sleep, they were stunned that I wasn't hurting more.  It ached, but not to the extent that they would have expected.  Odd, but we're all different, so maybe I'm not a good example.  But personally, I don't recall any burning sensations in the skin or soft tissues above the mets.  It could depend on where in the bone the mets are located and the inflammatory response in nearby soft tissues, and perhaps the BRAF inhibitors are playing some role?

Joe

Matt,

I've had several bone mets — half of my mets have probably been to bone, several in left tibia, one each in left and right femurs, and one in left proximal humerus, some treated with SBRT radiation, others with surgery (including a pretty major resection of my left shoulder), a couple with both (radiation and then eventual surgery).

Fortunately, I never had severe bone pain with any of the bone mets, although the first ones I had (in my left tibia) I noticed before they showed up on any scan — it wasn't pain per se, just a sensation that something wasn't right.  When they told me my humerus was down to 10% mass in one spot and they were worried I'd fracture it rolling over on it in my sleep, they were stunned that I wasn't hurting more.  It ached, but not to the extent that they would have expected.  Odd, but we're all different, so maybe I'm not a good example.  But personally, I don't recall any burning sensations in the skin or soft tissues above the mets.  It could depend on where in the bone the mets are located and the inflammatory response in nearby soft tissues, and perhaps the BRAF inhibitors are playing some role?

Joe