What can cause bone pain after cancer treatment?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mom, 61 years old, finished her breast cancer treatment six months ago, but now has severe bone pain and trouble breathing. Her oncologist is on vacation, and the covering doctor says the next available appointment is in two weeks. Her original cancer was stage 2B, ER positive. The pain medicines are not helping anymore. Should we go to the emergency room? What tests should we ask for? This can not wait two weeks, she is barely sleeping.

Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

By your history and description, the possibility of metastasis and pulmonary embolism is more likely. So better to take her to the emergency room (ER). Get a clinical examination done. Get CT (computed tomography) pulmonary angiography, PET scan (positron emission tomography scan) to rule out metastasis. She will need a painkiller injection like Tramadol.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.