Bright spot on knee on Bone Scan

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Footsox6
Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
Bright spot on knee on Bone Scan

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  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    I had a bone scan with contrast last Friday.  I was chatting with the radiologist afterwards and trying to get some information.  She was very nice and showed me how the machine works and showed me the whole body images of my bones. (I am always interested in this stuff)  On one knee there was a really bright spot.  I asked her about it.  She said it was "just arthritis."  I have been all over the internet trying to find a similar image of a bright spot on a bone scan that would say it is arthritis and cannot find anything.  My appt with my ONC isn't until this Friday and I am just trying to figure out if this is really "just arthritis" or if it could be something else - like a bone tumor.  Some of the information on the internet calls a bright spot a "hot spot" and there are other websites that call a bright spot a "cold spot."  The information is very contradictory. 

     Has anyone had a bone cancer tumor and seen it on their bone scan?  I have found info showing that bone cancer shows up as dark spots on a bone scan, when it is the type of bone cancer that is eating away at your bones.  And have found some info that a bright spot could be a cancerous tumor on the bone.  I can't find anything about a really bright spot on a bone scan being arthritis.  The radiologist didn't seem to be hiding anything...  I know they are not supposed to discuss the results and are just supposed to send them to the doctor for review...  but I am just trying to get more info on what this bright spot might be.  Does anyone know what to look for if it is a bone tumor?    Or does anyone know what a bright spot on my knee could be?  Thanks for any info.

    Yolanda

  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited May 2010

    I have bright areas in my knees hips and wrists on the end of the bone. They are my arthritis showing up from my Femara. Mine have been there for the last 8 months or so. When I have mt mets they were in different areas and had a different look to them. You cna always ask the radiology company to give you a copy of the report now.

  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited May 2010

    Me too, for the bright spots on my knees.  My bone scan was a year ago (right after initial diagnose) and they too assured me (as did my onc) that it was arthritis.  I sometimes have pain (did before cancer diagnose for years as well - off and on) in my one knee in particular, but never been "bad" enough to seek out treatment.  Still is the same, even after 6 months of chemo, etc.  so - if it had been cancer and they were wrong - I would certainly think something would have happened by now.  I think you are fine - arthritic perhaps, but we'll take that anyday over cancer, right????

    Linda

  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    Hi lovinmomma.   Thanks for your post.  I too am on Femara.  I was aware that it caused joint pain, but does Femara cause actual arthritis also?  I guess I am always thinking that someday I will be off the Femara and all the joint pain will go away.  If Femara causes actual arthritis, does that mean it causes a permanent condition of arthritis in my joints?  And I will be stuck with it for life?  Any additional info would be appreciated.  Thanks.

     Yolanda

  • jude14
    jude14 Member Posts: 293
    edited May 2010

    Hi footsox6.....I also am on femara and I had some arthritis before starting these pills but nothing like now.  I am on a 2 month vacation off of them to see if my body can get alittle relief as the pain had gotten really bad.  I can tell you I have been off the femara for three weeks and the pain is some better but no where near gone.  I think I have done some damage here with the pills but one never knows.  If I could loose the weight I gained on them maybe the pain would be alittle better still.  I just know my hip and back is the pits and I had no problems with those before the pills.  I have had several bone scans and they all show arthritis.  The last scan was just about 5 months ago...I thnk if you are prone to arthritis then these pills will definetly bring it out...I am hoping as my 2 month vacation goes on it will get better.....Will let you know then....Luck and prayers are with you on the pain I know what it is...jude

  • Footsox6
    Footsox6 Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    Hi Jude.  Thanks for posting. I know what you mean about the weight gain and the joint pain.  I wish they would make a drug that doesn't make us gain weight! I have gained 60 lbs. And I hate every minute of it.  I wish you luck in taking a vacation from the Femara.  I take a vacation from it when I go on a real vacation.  Usually I stop taking it about 3 days before I leave for vacation and then start back on the Femara on the day I come back.  With me, I feel so great about 3 days after I stop taking it.  No joint pain at all, and I don't feel bloated like when I am on it.  I hope you being off of it for a while gives you some relief. 

     Yolanda

  • activern
    activern Member Posts: 409
    edited June 2010

    Hello all: Phew! I have had arthritic changes in my joints and actually told that I have Osteoporosis throughout my spine - this has been going on for approx 10 years!  I wish the drugmakers would post a disclaimer for persons with a history of arthritis since Femara actually can bring on the disease or worsen it aggressively like it has in my and other cases above.  There is a site that I found and may have lost where we can actually post our problems on the drug.  It works well but can be nasty.  I have also stopped taking it since I live alone and must be able to be independent.  I see my onc next week and we will decide what should come next.

  • Beatis
    Beatis Member Posts: 80
    edited June 2010

    I have arthritis too, showing up as (hot) spots.

    Six weeks ago I broke a toe, just like that, while putting on my shoe. I was sure this was due to mets, but it turned out it wasn't, it was caused by severe arthrosis, which I also have in my hands.

    It seems people can have all kinds of spots, even hot spots, without them being mets. So take courage dear and try to think you don't have mets until they actually have been diagnosed as such.

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