CT scan abdomen and full body bone scan

Debsmisto

Has anyone else had their Onc order these tests? I'm of course worried he thinks my cancer has spread for some reason. It's all scary stuff. Thanks for your response of this applies to you.

Georgia1

Hi Deb. I hat a full body bone scan just to help decide between Tamoxifen or an AI; Tamoxifen increases bone density while AIs make it worse. I also had a CT scan ordered before radiation treatment started, so they could plan exactly where the "laser" would hit. Hope that's helpful in some way and best wishes to you.

Debsmisto

Thanks Georgia it seems your tests were done for a different reason than mine maybe I should have mentioned I am pre chemo and surgery, I do think he is looking for any spreading of my cancer, kind of unsettling.

Peregrinelady

Deb, do you know what stage you are and if you had any positive lymph nodes? Sometimes with stage 2 or 3 doctors will order further testing to look for spread. However, in many cases doctors wait for symptoms before ordering scans. I think it depends on the oncologist. If you are unsure about the scans ask your oncologist and keep us posted.

Debsmisto

Hi Pere, Onc said stage III due to spread to my nipple with scabbing and bleeding. No lymph node biopsy or removal yet so no idea there. You're right, I'm just going to ask why he ordered the tests. Thanks for the clarity on just asking him 😐

Peregrinelady

Let us know what you find out. Uncertainty is the worst part.

gb2115

I had those tests ordered by my surgeon after I had a surprise positive lymph node. It caused great anxiety while waiting for results (I had convinced myself that I was going to be stage 4), but it ended up ok. They are getting away from doing scanning in the absence of symptoms, but honestly it gave me some security to know those tests were clear.

xxyzed

I had those tests to look for spread before commencing any treatment as my initial scans showed spread to the lymph nodes. They were assessing if the cancer was locally advanced (stage 3c) and curable or metastic (stage 4) and incurable but treatable.

If it had spread and was not considered surgically removable they would not have performed surgery and instead used chemo to systemically treat the cancer.

Debsmisto

Thanks xxyzed, I think that's why their doing the scans on me too my Onc didn't say that but my 1.4cm tumor is right behind my nipple and spread to the skin so I'm sure he wants to see if it's spread further.