Zometa?

Has anyone without mets been prescribed Zometa? When I met with an oncologist at MSK she said "We are not to the point of recommending Zometa to everyone, but we are prescribing it for many patients. Talk with your local oncologist about it."  I did talk with my local Onc, with whom I've done the chemotherapy, and he said he was willing to prescribe it for my Osteopenia, but not my breast cancer. He did not feel it should be used for breast cancer except in the case of mets.  We left it hanging, as I know there can be significant side effects to Zometa and I wanted to give this some thought.  I've been on Fosomax (oral biophosphonate) for Osteopenia for years, and could transition to  the IV Zometa.  The MSK onc thought studies showed possible preventative benefits that made it worth consideration for Stage 2 patients. 

Have any of you discussed Zometa with your doctors? Or do you have information about this?

Here's a couple of links:

http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/bisphosphonates-clinical-trial-any-info_topic4591_page1.html?KW=Zometa

http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/zometa_topic5134.html?KW=Zometa

mity, please look back with the Search engine about some of the problems that have arisen from the Biophosphates. The Zometa is given as an infusion rather than at home with a pill like Boniva and has less problems, but it's important to understand the side effects and research fully...talk to your dentist and talk about the thigh fractures with your doctor.

i am on it for my osteopenia.. annualy infusion

Thank you all very much. Donna, I did not know that statistic on TNBC and bone mets, that only 10% go into the bones. That puts the problems associated with Zometa in a new perspective. 

My oncologist has me on Zometa every 6 months for 3 years initially. He told me that although I didn't have osteopenia the research shows that Zometa use has shown reduction not only in mets to bone but also to organs (which is actually something scientists are still trying to understand). He said that because I am TNBC he wanted to do some Zometa as prevention. He had my dentist check me and send in a report before I began the infusions due to the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (which is not terribly high but it is a possible side effect which is in fact pretty serious) to make sure my teeth were fine.

Best,

Natalia

Natalia,

I remember my onc mentioning part of the trial study is to see if it helps prevent mets to soft tissue organs also.  I was just surprised by the diagram of mets % for tn and bone mets being only 10%.

Natalia, That is so interesting that your Onc said Zometa might help prevent mets to organs. I would love to see some studies on that, or anymore information. I've been on weekly Fosomax for years with no problems at all, and for one year I tried monthly Boniva which gave me some stomach problems. I know Zometa infusions can result in some serious side effects though, and I'm trying to figure out whether or not its worth the risk.

Hi mitymuffin,

Here are a couple of links I found on the subject:

http://www.hcplive.com/publications/obtn/2008/November2008/zometa_breast_cancer

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/746308?page=2

So far I have had two infusions and no complications. Just a bit of pain in the bones after the first one but none with the second one.

My oncologist wants to be as proactive as possible and since we don't have much options after chemo and radiation, he thought we may give this a try in low doses for the first three years when the recurrence risk is higher. He also has me taking a bunch of supplements, suggested changes to my diet and made me increase exercise (I've always been active and thin and still he wants me doing cardio for at least 3 hours every week plus some type of strengthening exercise ....)

I hope this helps.

Best,

Natalia



Edited by nmunoz - Nov 17 2010 at 2:55pm

I am impressed also!!