Osteoradionecrosis.

Hi 

Are you on bisphosphonates after your breast cancer treatment? They can cause osteonecrosis. 

Thanks for the reply.

No. I didn’t receive them.

It can just happen for no reason so fingers crossed that's what it is and can be fixed.

Are they going to biopsy and PET?

Hmmm not yet. I had a pet 12 months ago…nothing was said then. I will see the gp in the morning for referral to…someone..at the public hospital….maybe a facial ct? Is there such a thing? 
I couldn’t find much on a spontaneous development….that would make it oseonecrosis? 
cheers

jan

You need a Maxillofacial surgeon. They will arrange a second look at the scan and a biopsy 

Thanks Dani..I mucked up my appointment…it’s tomorrow lol…my head is in a spin

Newbie from oz said:

that would make it oseonecrosis? 

Yes. Osteonecrosis. OsteoRADIOnecrosis happens only where the radiation hit the bone. Good luck for tomorrow.

By the way...if there is even the slightest possibility that this may be metastatic can you go straight to your breast team where you'll be seen much more quickly than via a new referral from your GP? An in house referral to a different department would be speedier, surely?

Thanks Dani.. I no longer have a breast team. I have been discharged from their care …

so the gp gave me a request for a ct of the face and mandible. I have booked it for Monday. I get the feeling, even though she was polite and kind, that she thought it was a waste of time. Maybe it is. She will be away for a month after today anyway….but the pain is still there. The lump is still there. My face /jaw is slightly swollen….or I’m just fat.

i have attached the result from the bone scan..

im so bloody tired.

Newbie from oz said:

Thanks Dani.. I no longer have a breast team. I have been discharged from their care …

I am discharged from my Head and Neck Team but still remain on their books if I have a concern and was told to contact my CNS and to bypass my GP. The system appears to be different in OZ, which is a pity.

The first para is just age changes as I suspect you know.

Breast cancer mets are generally destructive of bone (osteoclastic/osteolytic) and it's strange that it's both sides of your jaw. Fingers crossed it's not sinister

I think you need a referral to a maxillofacial surgeon. They would decide what scan is best. My diagnostic one was an MRI. 

I hope you can be seen asap. You shouldn't be left in pain. Hugs

Cheers Dani

I mucked up the oncology team by moving state…the system doesn’t follow you.

one more scan won’t hurt me I guess..and if it comes to it there are other drs at the surgery that I can ask for a referral from..