I had my bone scan today - what do hot spots look like?

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KP1970
KP1970 Member Posts: 192
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
The tech would not give me any sort of hint as to whether or not my scan was normal (darn). I will have to wait a day or two for the results.  I did watch the scan on the monitor as soon as that plate above my head (or whatever it's called) started to move downward..from about my chest down, I watched and I didn't see anything weird looking -- it just looked like "snow"/light gray snow, if that makes any sense,  as the scanner moved over my body. I did see a "splotch" in the middle of my pelvic area (is that my bladder?). I Googled this (actually I Googled what a normal bone scan looks like) and all of the images brought up had this same thing in the same area (so I am assuming that it is something that we all have??) ;-)
Are "hot spots" always dark spots on the scan?? 
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    I  have had a ton of bone scans and should know the answer to this, but can't tell you for sure.  I think and keep in mind I am not telling you an actual fact, but I "think" hot spots show up white and that is becasue they absorb  more dye in those areas.  I know I always look at the little skeleton myself on the screen (or used to...now they have it set up so I cannot see it) and the areas where I have bone mets show up white and look like they are illuminated.  My knee replacement also always lights up and looks white.  So it may be incorrect, but my final answer is White...they show up white. I don't know what the rules are at your hospital, but I always go pick up a copy of my scan reports myself the next day from the imaging library....the written report, not the actual CD because I don't know what I am looking at, but the  report gives me the interpretation. The last time they asked me if I had my dr's permission and I said yes.

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  • KP1970
    KP1970 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2011

    Thanks Marybe. Do you mind if I ask -- were you diagnosed stage IV in 1998? Or did you have a recurrence with mets?

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  • kittycat
    kittycat Member Posts: 2,144
    edited June 2011

    I did the same thing. My scan looked brighter along the spine, skull and pelvic area. I was dx A's NED. I went to the diagnostic place and got the results myself. I couldn't wait. :)

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    KP,  I had my initial diagnosis and mastectomy in 1990.  It was 1998 that I was diagnosed Stage lV with mets to my sternum, lung and liver.  I think it had been going on for awhile since I kept complaining about pain in my sternum, but my onco kept assuring me it was nothing.  The first thing I did after she finally ordered a bone scan, followed by CAT and it was confirmed I had mets, was to find a new oncologist. 

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