Anyone had Bone Islands become mets?

Sabbymama

Hello Ladies,

I think I'm probably being a bit paranoid, but I have some concerns about the pain I've been having in my arm/shoulder joint since my mastectomy last April. Before surgery, I never noticed any pain in that area, but it has gotten progressively worse, especially since completing radiation therapy. In my pre-surgical scans, the CT noted "bone islands" on the head of my humerus, my right hip, and a couple of other spots. A bone scan showed uptake in my spine (T8, T9), sternoclavicular joint, and the humeral head, but said that it is likely degenerative changes. I've never had a Petscan. My oncologist suggested that physical therapy should help with the pain in my arm/shoulder, but after a month of sessions twice a week, it is not making a difference at all. Although it is probably nothing, I can't help but worry that it is possibly mets to the humeral head. I had positive lymph nodes with lymphatic vascular invasion and extranodal extension, so it is always in my head that cancer may have spread. I've worked with a therapist regarding my fears, and I assume that the chemo, rads, and Anastrozole would take care of any remaining cancer cells, but I can't shake the paranoia. I'm curious to see if anyone else has experienced similar pain before being diagnosed with mets or has been diagnosed with "bone islands". I have an appointment with my oncologist on Wednesday and she is great but she has a "we don't go looking for mets" stance and thinks scans are unnecessary now that the chemo and rads are complete. Should I insist on a Petscan? Or just have a little more faith?

Cheers,

Sabrina

2019whatayear

I did some google searching and it doesn't seem that cancer is mistaken for bone islands--rarely the opposite happens where they think the bone island is cancer.

I completely understand the fear.

kathabus

Hi--I had a bone scan/CT scan that showed a sclerotic lesion on an iliac bone. I had a bone biopsy done and it was diagnosed as a bone island. It had a medical name, but it was a bone island. It was considered good news, benign...and that was it. It wasn't done because of pain or anything. I just had those scans done because I wasn't doing chemo and didn't want to miss anything.

The worst part of my treatment has been the fear of mets. And I think that is true for so many. I had a social worker tell me to take 15 minutes to be scared everyday. But then when time is up....that's it. You can worry again the next day. It sounds kinda stupid/crazy....but it really has helped me.

I think it's important to talk through your pains with your MO and to also follow a certain protocol. It's important to ask yourself....how long has this been feeling this way? Does it come and go? That kind of thing.

illimae

I had a bone island and a bone met on my initial scans. 4 years later, the bone island is still there and the met has healed, they’ve existed independently the entire time.