Robert A. Buckman, M.D., Ph.D.
Adjunct professor, Behavioral Science
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Buckman:
Okay, so let's start by describing our patient's situation. Mrs.
Simpson is a woman of 55 who was diagnosed with primary breast cancer
just over 10 years ago at another hospital. The primary was node
positive and also estrogen and progesterone receptor positive,
ER-positive, PR-positive. So, Mrs. Simpson had adjuvant chemotherapy
then she had 5 years of hormone therapy. She moved into your geographic
area about a year ago and transferred to your care for routine follow
up. She remained completely well for just about 5 years after
completing her endocrine therapy until about 3 weeks ago. Then she
suddenly developed low back pain which her physician told her was
probably muscular in origin. She telephoned your office, and by your
primary care nurse, you arranged a bone scan to be done this morning
and for her to be seen by you this afternoon, okay? The bone scan shows
multiple boney metastases.
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