Will a chest xray show bone mets in ribs or spine?

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talbrig13
talbrig13 Member Posts: 488
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I am having my annual chest xray, obviously to look for lung mets.  But would that xray show any problems in the ribs, sternum, spine etc?   Or is it a different kind of xray that would be needed for that (aside from a bone scan)?

I don't want to have an annual bone scan just in case, but  I don't want to be paranoid either.  I have been having pain in my rib and back, not constantly though.    Could be from rads too.

Thanks,

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  • carcharm
    carcharm Member Posts: 486
    edited January 2010

    It may show shadows or necrosis of the bone but only if it's "big" enough. I'm not sure what size would make it big enough. If it's early mets a cat scan or mri would show be necessary to show it.

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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited January 2010

    I'd agree that it has to be a certain size to show on an x ray.  I haven't been diagnosed with bone mets but an mri and bone scan showed a suspicious small spot they're watching but the x ray came back clear!   The pet/ct also came back negative so am hoping for arthritis lol....

    Good luck with your tests:0

     Tricia x

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  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 180
    edited January 2010

    I had a PET Scan that showed two spots.. ALso MRI.. which showed spots..One I didnt know about until I saw the Spine Specialist the other day..Was a Lesion on the right side of my neck .. That is where MOST of my pain has been for months.. Dr Has me on steroids for 6 days to see if swelling pain .. go away.. if NOT..could be mets to neck.. So confused.... Onc. says. Possible Mets to bones..(hot spots) Radiologist says..NOT cancer.. old fractures.. and The Spine Specialist says.. Possible Mets to neck (lesion).. Sooo My question is.. What do they go by?.. and WHO do they go by?  The Onc.. The Radiologist or the Spine Specialist? Either way.. There are SPOTS and there is constant pain.. Something has to be going on  lol..

    talbrig.. goodluck on your tests.. please let us know how you are doing..ok?

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  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 362
    edited February 2010

    Goldeneyes, I think they take seriously the report from the radiologist and them make an informed decision.

    I really hope all is well with you, keep us posted in the waiting room:)

    Tricia xx

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