SL (E-338) is a 46-year-old lady. Sometime in June 2012, she had back pain after doing some gardening. She was okay after a massage. But the problem recurred. By September 2012, her problem became more serious. On 22 November 2012, she woke up to find her nipple was retracted but there was no discharge.

She consulted a GP who then referred her to a private hospital for USG and mammography. The results:

Bilateral mammogram: 23 November 2012: Large irregular breast lump at 11 o’clock position infiltrating the surrounding tissue.

Ultrasound of both breasts: Irregular spiculated mass at the 11 o’clock position of right breast. It measures 2x2x1.3 cm. Vascular in nature. The skin and posterior muscle wall is infiltrated, surrounding breast tissue are also infiltrated. Multiple smaller satelite nodules adjacent to it.

A biopsy was done. SL was told she had a stage 4 cancer.

A bone scan at the General Hospital indicated multiple bone metastases at T7, T9, L1, L2, T4 and lower lumbar.

Also affected were: right 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th anterior ribs; right 7th and 8th posterior ribs; left 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th anterolateral ribs, let 7th, 8th posterior ribs, left 11th and 12th paraspinal region, bilateral scapulae, sacrum, both SIJ, right iliac crest and right ISIS; and left ischium.

From December 2012 to June 2013, SL went to China 8 times for further treatment.   In China she received:

1. Radio-iodine seed implantation – 125 seeds.

2. Chemotherapy – 8 cycles.

3. Stem cell – a total of 6 + 3 injections (one injection RM 10,000).

In all, SL spent more than RM 300,000 for her treatment in China.

Towards the end of 2013, her markers began to rise and CT scan in November 2013 showed multiple liver metastases. SL went back to China in December 2013 and was treated with HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) and received 3 more injections of stem cells.

CA 15.3 Reading

25 October 2013	56.0
22 November 2013	80.0
24 February 2014	226.0

 

SL stopped going to China since there was not more treatment for her. She went back to the General Hospital for follow up treatment.  SL was given:

1. Tamoxifen.

2. Zometa injection for her bone metastases. After 4 monthly injections, PET scan showed Zometa was not effective and SL was asked to switch to Denosumab (this cost RM 1,600 per dose).

In addition, SL was given the following supplements:

1. Calcium

2. Vitamin E

3. Vitamin C

4. Folic acid

5. Iron tablets.

The oncologist said Herceptin could be a possibility for her.

PET scan on 18 March 2014 indicated:

1. There is no breast / chest wall / nodal FDG avid tumour recurrence.

2. FDG avid lung metastases.

3. Hypermetabolic bone and liver metastases.

4. There is a large FDG avid focus in the enlarged uterus, about 4.3 cm. Metastases in the uterus has to be considered, rather than fibroids.

SL came to seek our help on 4 April 2014. She was prescribed Capsules A, B, C and D. Breast M, Bone Tea, Liver P, Lung Tea, C-tea and Pain Tea.

One month on our therapy, LS came back and said she felt better – more alert and had more energy.

 

Comment

Stem cell, targeted therapy, RFA, HIFU – high intensity focused ultrasound, etc. etc., — bombastic words and many patient like them! Yes,  they will pay through the nose to do something new and something high-tech, believing that these are going to cure them.

Before you jump into this, reflect on the following: