I hardly post in this ng anymore, but I still come over to see what's
going on. I'm not really a stranger, but I guess I act like one. I know
there are some knowledgable people here and more I'm trying to learn
specifics pertaining to the blastic type of bone mets and the best
treatment. Both the latest bone scan (April) and follow-up xrays on
femurs, hips/pelvis and spine all say there are areas of sclerosis and
diffuse osteoblastic mets. No mention of the lytic type which are more
common with bc. No mention of a mix of the two types. Only osteoblastic.
My femurs and hips have been bothering me quite a bit and doc gave me
'script for vicodin.

I've had 4 zometa treatments, but I'm trying to learn whether this is
good for blastic mets--or not. Since sclerosis and blastic are a
build-up of abnormal bone density and cells I wonder whether zometa is
right. I understand that zometa inhibits reabsorbtion of bone and
encourages more bone growth. It sometimes greatly improves lytic mets by
causing new bone growth but I don't want more bone growth since I have
unstable overgrowth now. Amer. Cancer Soc. says zometa works less well
for blastic bone mets. I have more discomfort since I started zometa
too. Onc just gives rather generic answers--nothing very informative. I
inquired about Strontium 89, but onc not too keen on that. I have too
many places to radiate I think. (Also been on Arimidex, now Femara, for
about 1 yr.)

Blastic mets occur in prostate cancer, but I haven't learned too much
from those sites either. Anyone got good info on this? Perhaps "Dr."
Tim? Allan...? Trying to learn about type of mets I have. I also have
polycythemia vera, a blood disorder in which the bone marrow
overproliferates so I think that ties in somewhat to the abnormal bone
overgrowth.

Kathie