Join Our Community!
Share
Cancer > Brain Cancer Forum > cancer in spinal fluid
Flu basics - what is the flu? what causes the flu? Get started here to learn how to protect yourself....
We answer your questions on flu symptoms here. How are cold and flu symptoms different? When should you seek medical help for flu? Plus more....
Avatar
Q: cancer in spinal fluid
asked by: Alex12 on April 28th, 2008
New User
My mother n law was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 since then she has newly been diagnosed with bone cancer (spine) last June now after just finishing up treatment for that come to find out the cancer has spread to her spinal fluid. She does not have any tumors so far but they are doing a procedure where they can administer her chemo drugs right into her spinal fluid surrounding her brain? Anyone familiar with this? Anyone had any positive results with this type of chemo? They are telling her she has 6 months but I'm not sure if they mean with treatment or w/out.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(4)
User Profile
MandMs
replied on April 29th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
This is known as intrathecal chemotherapy, when injections of drugs are given into the spinal tap to destroy any cancer cells that may penetrate the spinal column (anticancer drugs are injected into the fluid-filled space between the thin layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord). The injection is painful and the chemotherapy drug can cause a burning sensation as it is injected.

Does she experience any kind of back pain?
Does she has abnormal sensations or loss of sensation, particularly in the legs?
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Alex12
replied on April 29th, 2008
New User
She does have pain in her spine due to some compression fractures from the bone cancer. Her legs do give out sometimes and she has fallen several times. She had a spinal tap yesterday for some testing and yes she said it was painful.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
MandMs
replied on May 7th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
Metastatic tumors of the spine (those that have spread to the spine from another site) often progress quickly, while primary tumors often progress slowly over weeks to years.
Back pain in any area, that is worse when lying down, worse with strain, cough, sneeze, that may extend to the hip, leg, or feet (or arms) is a symptom of spinal cancer.
Abnormal sensations, like numbness and tingling, particularly in the legs, that may be progressive is another symptom of affected spinal cord with metastatic process.
Muscle weakness, particularly in the legs, that makes walking difficult and even causes falls, is also due to the cancer.

So, I guess your mother in law has secondary cancer of the spinal cord that is usually very progressive.

Best wishes!
Marija
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
cochrenmisty
replied on July 18th, 2009
New User
Spinal Cancer
My mom has been going through the same things. It looks like over a year now since your mother in law started her treatments. Did they work?
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search