Bone Scan vs CT Scan vs MRI

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JacquiAL
JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi,

I have been having pains in various places and my pcp wants me to have a bone scan to determine if some of them are mets.  I'm not clear on why some get bone scans as opposed to CT Scans or MRIs.  Are bone scans always the first step?  Is there one of the 3 tests that would pick up any mets or recurrence? If I'm understanding him correctly, my pcp told me the bone scan will pick up any mets to the bones and may light up other areas that need to be checked.  The pain I'm having could be bone but could also be in soft tissue.

Thanks very much.

Jacqui 

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  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited February 2011

    I don't really know why dr's choose the scans they choose... I guess if your pain sounds like it could be bones, a bone scan is the best place to start... and you may follow it later with CT or PET scans. I think they are less able to really detect bone mets, as spots may just be shadows, and shadows may be falsely dx'ed as mets... so they go with the most definitive test for your symptoms first and go on from that point.

     Good luck, hope it is all negative Smile

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2011

    jdeking,

    Thanks so much for replying.  My main complaint is lower back pain so that fits with your thoughts. 

    We have the same diagnosis.  I had more lymph nodes taken out and have developed minor lymphedema.  Have you had any problems with that?

    Thanks also for the good wishes.

     Jacqui

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited February 2011

    I think the bone scan is because they can see all bones during one scan for a lot less money than doing a full body CT or MRI.  If they see an area on the bone scan that is suspicious, they would then go the next step with a CT or MRI.  I think that is the reasoning, but could be wrong.

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2011

    Jenn3,

    Thanks so much for the response,  I've beginning to feeling more comfortable starting with the bone scan and than moving on from there if necessary.

    My best to you.

    Jacqui 

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  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited February 2011

    Hi Jacqui,

    Yes, I have had problems with LE off and on. Apparently I didn't have many lymph nodes, and he took all he could see... I work in a lab, and often do repetitive motions with my right arm, and the LE flares up. I'll take off my latex glove and you can see where it was cutting into me!

    I also have truncal LE and have the hardest time getting bras that don't cut into the swelling.

     Let us know how your results turn out!

    ~Janine

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  • JacquiAL
    JacquiAL Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2011

    Hi Janine,

    Sorry to hear you have truncal LE.  I didn't know that was a possibilty. My LE therapist told me she thought I had some swelling in the radiated breast and she thought I should try a sports bra.  I hadn't had any pain in that breast until recently and an onc told me she thought it was the nerves rejunerating. 

    Thanks for your interest. I will let you know how the test goes.

    Jacqui

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