hi.  my mother has just been diagnosed with secondary bone cancer. She is 80 next month and has been admitted to hospital due to the pain. She had breast cancer 5 years ago and had a full left mastectomy but was found to be lynph node positive.  She is very weak and tired and has eaten very little for the last 2 weeks. Please can you give me your honest opinion of the prognosis.  thank you
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Many patients get secondary bone metastasis from breast cancer that is treated even more than 5 years back. It is important to know which bone is affected and what is the extent of the bone lesion. Since she is elderly, it is important to provide her with adequate nutrition. A patient like your mother with post mastectomy and a bone spread might survive till 2 years after detection of the secondary bone cancer with good treatment and care. If she is not eating then the survival more than 6 months to a year is difficult. If she has deny Chat Doctor.  Eating is an important part of management and even if her appetite is reduced you should convince her to eat smaller meals at regular intervals every 3 to 4 hours. Please do not worry.