What routine tests are used to monitor breast cancer progression?

I have MBC, mets bone, brain, liver, lungs, adrenals. Whenever I do my Herceptin infusion they check cancer antigen (q3weeks),I get a PET every 3 mos unless increasing symptoms or my CA antigen is trending up, then maybe earlier. Brain MRI every 3 months. Oh and an Echocardiogram every little bit to make sure Herceptin isn’t affecting my heart

I have extensive bone Mets since Jan 2016. I get blood work CBC,Metobolic, Hepatic,CA27.29 every 4 weeks. I get PET scans every 3-4 months. Bone density test yearly. Echo cardiogram yearly.

I have mBC to my spine (3 lesions) and 1 in my hip. Had a lumpectomy in 2021 with 1st mets found on 1st PET about 1 year after surgery. Have been NED for past 2 scans, 6 months apart. Only med right now is fluvestrant injections every 4 weeks and PET every 6 months. They do draw blood and check CA 27-29 every 8 weeks.

Are the fluvestrant injections painful. My doctor said they are painful but I’m not sure what she meant.

I get fluvestrant every 28 days. My nurses give both injections simultaneously. I don't find them any more painful than other injections or blood draws. The challenge is that fluvestrant is the consistency of honey according to my nurses, so the injections are slow, taking a few minutes to complete. I usually sit on cold packs when I get home from the injections and overall, I think that helps. I also rub arnica onto injection sites to reduce the "bump".

I have no problem at all with my injections. I stand, and she does 1 hip and then the other. Put weight on one side and relax the side that is getting the injection.

Monitoring metastatic breast cancer typically involves regular scans like CT, bone scans, or PET scans, along with blood tests including tumor markers, though the specific schedule varies based on individual circumstances and symptoms. Many community members find it helpful to discuss their monitoring plans with their oncology team and share experiences here about what tests they receive and how often.