Bone scan question, something strange

skigrl

Since January i have been having really bad pain in my right rib area, then recently over to the left side also,so the doc ordered a bone scan, well before i left the hospital i asked for a copy of the scan. When i got home i looked at it and there was a dark spot right on my right rib right around where it hurts. I just got  a call saying all was clear of any metastasis. Isnt a dark spot on the bone indicate suspicious-ness? I googled bone scans and it showed dark spot on the images as metastasis.

Thanks for all  you reply's

RegulJ

Cell uptake on bone scans is determined by how active the cells are. Cancer cells are more active than normal cells and should take up more tracer and appear as hot spots/bright spots vs. cold spots/dark areas.

RegulJ

Cell uptake on bone scans is determined by how active the cells are. Cancer cells are more active than normal cells and should take up more tracer and appear as hot spots/bright spots vs. cold spots/dark areas.

bobby

I have been searching the web for info on bone cancer.

I came across your post and almost fell off my chair. April 2004 had right mast, March 2005 had left mast. For over a month now I have had terrible pain, left rib area. Feels like my ribs want to explode. Very sore spots that for lack of better words feels mooshy. If I lay on left side I feel like I'm laying on a hard object, if I lay on right side I feel pressure. Laying down also takes my breath away. I'm booked for a X-ray on Monday and a bone scan on Aug 6th. The doctor has me on naproxin and moraphine (low dose). I'm finding that my joints are sore also. I have had bad knees for years and am use to the joint pain and know when to expect the worst (rain), but they seem to be sore non-stop.

Your scan, have you contacted the doctors about what you see?

I hope everything turns out good for you. Thank you for posting this.

RegulJ

Actually I would have been the person injecting the isotope and performing the scan. That is the only reason why I know...lol

(Nuclear Medicine Technologist)

EnglishMajor

 http://www.healthline.com/sw/cs-understanding-bone-metastaseswhen-cancer-spreads-to-the-bones

 In a bone scan, the patient is given an injection of a low amount of radioactive material. The amount is much lower than that used in radiation therapy.  Diseased bone appears on the bone scan image as darker, dense areas. Conditions other than metastasis, such as arthritis, infections, or previous fractures that have healed, may also be picked up on a bone scan, although the patterns they produce are often different from those produced by cancer. Additional tests can help distinguish among these other condition

Symptoms of Bone Metastases

Bone metastases can cause these symptoms.

Bone pain. Pain is the most common symptom of bone metastasis. It's usually the first symptom that people notice. At first, the pain may come and go. It tends to be worse at night or with bed rest. Eventually, the pain may increase and become severe. Not all pain indicates metastasis. The doctor can help distinguish between pain from metastasis and aches and pains from other sources.

Broken bones. Bone metastasis can weaken bones, putting them at risk for breaking. In some cases, a fracture is the first sign of bone metastasis. The long bones of the arms and legs and the bones of the spine are the most common sites of fracture. A sudden pain in the middle of the back may indicate a cancerous bone breaking and collapsing.

Numbness or weakness in the legs, trouble urinating or having a bowel movement, or numbness in the abdomen. These are all signs that the spinal cord may be compressed. When cancer metastasizes to the spine, it can squeeze the spinal cord. The pressure on the spinal cord may cause these symptoms, as well as back pain. These symptoms should be told to a doctor or nurse right away. If untreated, they can cause paralysis.

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Loss of appetite, nausea, thirst, constipation, tiredness, or confusion. These are all signs that there are high levels of calcium in the blood. Bone metastases can cause calcium to be released from the bones and into the bloodstream. This condition is called hypercalcemia. These symptoms should be told to a doctor or nurse right away. If untreated, they may cause a coma.

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Other symptoms. If bone metastasis affects the bone marrow, people may have other symptoms related to decreased blood cell counts. For instance, red blood cell levels may drop, causing anemia. Signs of anemia are tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath. If white blood cells are affected, people may develop infections. Signs of infection include fevers, chills, fatigue, or pain. If the number of platelets drops, bruising or abnormal bleeding may occur.

It is important for people to discuss any of these symptoms with their doctor. Detecting and treating this condition early can help reduce complications.