osteoblastic changes- arthritis or mets

Ibethewife

All, I have been having alot of back pain since March. My MO changed me from Femara to Aromasin and then a break in June when I wound up in the hospital with the pain being untouched by morphine. After the bone scan, my report read osteablastic changes in L3, 4 and 5 and other areas arthritis or mets secondary.  Pain did get somewhat better the longer I was off the femara. I asked my PCP about how do we know which is which and he stated I had to start trusting in the Dr's. My question is from the fact no one can give me a real explanation. My MO felt because I was only stage 1b that it would not be mets and I know he good he is but.... I keep wondering. When ever I look up osteoblastic changes, it always is mets and nothing about arthritis. What is your experience?

LRM216

I hate it when we get inconclusive reports, they are so anxiety producing, and oftentimes for no "cancer" related issue (which I am hoping that yours is not).  Did you have any scans such as full body bone, full body CT, MRI or PET upon diagnose?  If so, what does the comparison show, if anything?  I also was diagnosed Stage 1c back in February, 2009 and about 2 years ago, during a CT of my abdomen for a totally non-cancer related matter, a small "sclerotic area on one of the pedicles of my T12 vertebrae" showed up, and of course, with my history, the radiologist felt that had I not been a cancer survivor, he would just deem it degenerative change/arthritis.  From there it was on to a bone scan just to be sure it wasn't a "met".  Bone scan showed nothing.  My oncologist was never worried (I certainly was!), and has deemed it degenerative as something else would have shown by now.   I am sending all good thoughts your way hoping that is all it will be for you as well.   

Ibethewife

There were no scans diagnosis only the mri of my breasts. In June they did X-rays of my spine and hip, a MRI on my lower spine and hip , and a full body scan.  So there was nothing for comparison.  I do get my tumor markers checked every 3 -4 months and there is no elevation.

chrissyb

Ibethewife, I have bone mets but I also have osteo arthritis in just about every joint as well. When I am scanned they all show up but the radiologists are trained to know the difference between the two and osteoblastic changes more often than not just mean arthritis.



Hoping its that way for you.



Love n hugs. Chrissy

Ibethewife

thanks Chrissy!