Bone Scan shows "hot spot"

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kt57
kt57 Member Posts: 425
edited November 2016 in Waiting for Test Results

OK friends, I am working not to panic.   Just had a bone scan at the end of the bisphosphanate trial.  After "close ups" and regular x-rays....I am told there is a "hot spot" on my left hip.

How sensitive are bone scans to diagnose metastasis?  

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited May 2012

    Bone scans are very sensitive. That's the problem with them - they see everything but can't sat what it is. That hot spot could just be a bit of arthritis. It could be an old injury, or a newer one. They see all inflammation (I have a tooth problem my scan sees as a hot spot.



    There needs to be more definitive testing to diagnose mets than a bone scan. Good luck.

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    reesie,

    Thanks for your reply.  I am hoping and praying this is nothing.  I see my oncologist on Monday -- wish it were tomorrow.    Have been feeling good about being 3 years out from treatment -- today when the nuclear med tech said they are looking at a hot spot -- I sailed right back to the feelings I had when I was diagnosed. 

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  • cla
    cla Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2012

    I had a bone scan 6 mos ago when initially diagnosed and the scan technician asked me if I had a history of hip pain because I really lite up the scan!  What a thing to say... my husband burst into tears when I told him what she said and we spent the entire weekend in fear of bone cancer mets.  Then, when I finally met w/ my oncologist to review all the scans, he didn't even mention the bone scan... kept going on and on about what a lovely spine I had/have.  

    I've had two minor injuries to my left hip and at 54 definitely have some arthritis there.  No question artiritis can light up a bone scan!

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    Thanks cla,

    I talked to my chemo nurse today.    She requested the report of my studies yesterday.  It says there is an area of increased uptake and osteoblastic metastasis cannot be excluded.   So nothing definative, which I am taking as a good thing.  Will see what my MO thinks on Monday. 

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  • aussieched
    aussieched Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2012

    Hi kt57

    My specialists here in Australia said that is the main reason they don't do any scans or extra testing unless us patients go to them with a problem or symptoms, then they will investigate, because they said routine testing often shows up arthritis or old injuries that just makes us ladies freak out about results for no reason.  Causes us more stress and then it turns out to be nothing.

    Ched

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    Ched, 

    I am working hard to not freak out -- so far so good.  It's there, in my head, but not all consuming. 

    I agree about not doing tests.  I just finished a clinical trial comparing three bisphospahanates - ibandronate ( I took that - three years every day), clodronate, and zometa.  The bone scan was the "end point".  My first clinical trial nurse told me there was a move to not do the bone scan after completion, for the reasons you state - finding something that is actually nothing creating unnecessary anxiety.  I was good with that - and had decided not to do it.  My current clinical trial nurse said just the opposite.   So I actually tracked down the prinicipal investigator who was kind enough to email me the facts - without the bone scan, they would be missing a vital piece of information.  so that is why I agreed to it.

     I do have arthritis.  Since diagnosis, I have been diligent about exercise.   Joined Weight Watchers and lost 30 lbs an got myself back to a normal BMI.   Had the notion I needed an impact exercise to keep my bones strong, so I started a running program in February.  I fell about three weeks ago - directly on my hip -- the other side however.   So I am thinking any, or a combination of these things, may contribute to my "hot spot".  

    I suspect he will either repeat the scan in a few months or get an MRI now.    My risk for spread seems low - at least that's what I've been told.  So I am remaining hopeful that it turns out to be nothing.

    Thanks for your thoughts/reassurance.      

       

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited May 2012

    Kathy,

    Telling you not to worry sounds trite and would probably be nearly impossible. Try to distract yourself old movie favorites, reading, retail therapy , whatever it takes.

    Caryn

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    Caryn,

    I was up at 0600 this AM - spent most of the day doing a Relay For Life Rummage Sale fundraiser with my Relay Team, then tended to all my flower gardens, made dinner, picked up the house, planted my vegetable garden, just finshed snooping through the  QVC website..  Busy is good!  Now going to see if I have exhausted myself to the point of sleep.... if not there is always ambien.

    Thanks for your thoughts.  

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited May 2012

    Happy coincidence! My school districts supports an fairly large RFL which was two weeks ago. I spent part of today at another town's RFL. My dd's fiance's parents are the chairpersons for that one. Caryn

    PS: I've done RFL for several years. Very weird to be wearing the survivors T-shirt.

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  • LittleMelons
    LittleMelons Member Posts: 273
    edited May 2012

    kt57 - Try not to assume the worst. I had a bone scan when I first diagnosed and it showed suspicious lesions on my spine.  Strangely, nothing showed up on my shoulder or hip area where I have fairly regular pain.  The radiologist suggested "an MRI to  investigate the possiblity of metastasis."  It turned out to be spinal degeneration - no metastis.  I also had an abdominal ultrasound that showed suspicious blobs (not the medical term lol) on my liver, which, after a CT scan turned out to be benign hemangiomas.

    My point is that these scans are not definitive in identifying metastasis and the radiologists always qualify the results with metastasis as a possibility to cover themselves.  I'm betting yours is arthritis.  It's scary, though, I know.  So do things you enjoy to distract yourself.

    Keeping my fingers crossed for good news for you!! 

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited May 2012

    Seven months ago, my bone scan showed a lot of uptake at the base of my brain, my entire spine and in my right leg.  I was absolutely terrified as I already had been diagnosed Stage III.  The bone scan techs immediately started coming at me redoing my head, brain and spine.   BS said I had alot of uptake but it could be anything, don't worry.  Ya right!! 

    I then went for an entire body MRI  and some individual x-rays, and thankfully, everything was arthritis except thing on leg was some kind of bone spur. 

    My NP said bone scans show everything, especially new machines.

    I know how terrifying this is for you.  I never even have had any arthritis symptoms, but I was never so happy to hear that word "arthritis."    Here's praying yours is the same thing.    This scanxiety stuff is horrible.

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited May 2012

    When I had a bone scan in 1982, I had 5 "hot spots". The surgeon was concerned and sent me for x-rays. Turns out they were healed stress fractures from my running!I then had the mastectomy (lumpectomies were too new at the time to be an option)

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    Caryn,  The purple shirt "survivor" thing is weird for me, too.  I am certainly happy to be here and wearing it, but I don't like sticking out in the crowd.  The survivor lap to start the Relay is a real mix - wish I didn't have to be there, but happy I am.  And it is such a solemn thing at our event -- wish we would jazz it up a bit.  Overall, the Relay is very good for my spirit.  

    LittleMelons (what a name!),  I am thinking more along the lines of arthritis too.  We had a real shift in weather here - I could feel it coming in my feet, knees, shoulders and hands -- everywhere but my hips - go figure. 

    Denise-G, "Scanxiety" - great word!  What a horrible experience to a good outcome for you.  

    dogsandjogs,  I am really hoping my return to running is the source of this. 

    Thank you all for your reassurance.  I knew I would find it here.  

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    MRI is done... results tomorrow...please say some prayers for me....thank you.

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  • Hildy910
    Hildy910 Member Posts: 319
    edited May 2012

    Keeping my fingers crossed for you....

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  • LittleMelons
    LittleMelons Member Posts: 273
    edited May 2012

    kt57 - Glad you don't have to wait long for your results.  I will be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping for good results.  I am thinking arthritis.  

    (((Hugs)))

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  • allisontom911
    allisontom911 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    I am waiting with you, I get bone scan and CT scan results tomorrow..this sucks

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2012

    Looks like I have a tendonitis - with a tendon pulling on my hip bone with some swelling - maybe a cyst.

    NO mets!!   Praise God!

    Thanks ladies for your support. 

    Allisontom911 -- hope your results are good too! 

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited May 2012

    Kathy, horray for tendonitis!!!

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  • gecco
    gecco Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2013

        I had a bone scan this week as I was also at the end of a bisphonsphonate trial.  I participated in the clodronate arm of the study.  Following the bone scan I was advised that I needed to have a follow-up MRI since there was evidence of increased uptake in certain areas.  I have been experiencing some recent achiness in those two areas, but one was from a prior injury.  I don't know why I'm feeling discomfort in the second area.  I am almost 3 years post-treatment.  My oncologist said the "uptake" probably related to a tear or ortho injury, but I cannot help but feel paranoid.  I am going to schedule the MRI in the next week.  I just don't want to worry about it, regardless of how irrational my fears may be.

       I felt a lot better after reading your emails today.

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  • lindann123
    lindann123 Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2013

    I'm new at this discussion board thing, so please be patient with me :)

    I enjoyed reading a lot of the posts and I feel better about being so anxious.

    I had a partial mastectomy and 8 weeks radiation which ended in January, then the recent bone scan showed an abnormality in my clavicle (shoulder) of all places.   The onco said probably arthritis, but then why didn't the bone scan show the arthritis in my lower spine and hips that is there?   Going for an MRI in a week.  Guess I'm just nervous and wanted some feedback.  Thanks! 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2013

    lindann, welcome to Breastcancer.org.

    Of course you're nervous, but it sounds as though you're getting supportive care from your oncologist, and the MRI to be sure. If the arthritis in your lower spine and hips was known before your latest scan, maybe they only reported the new/different spot?

    More about bone scans and what they show, in this article from the main Breastcancer.org site.

    Please keep us posted!

    • The Mods

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  • sally9876
    sally9876 Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2016

    Hi, I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in April 2014. Completed chemo in August 2014, surgery in September 2014 and radiation in December 2014. I got a pathological complete response in my breast cancer. I'm 2 years out and just had a bone scan which has revealed a hot spot in my humerus (bone in upper arm) which is highly suspicious of metastatic cancer:(. I will be having an exray to have a close look at this spot and ct scan to determine if there are other spots in my body. I'm terrified and wanted some feedback.


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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited October 2016

    Hi Sally,

    A couple of things to help you get the support you need. 1) this thread is 3 years old so is a bit out-dated. Also 2) since you have already been Dx-ed with BC I would suggest another part of the forum.

    There is a second about "Not diagnosed but worried about recurrence" or even the "Triple Negative" area? This particular area tends to be visited more by women who have never had BC.

    HUGS!!!! Praying for you. I hear your fear.

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  • sally9876
    sally9876 Member Posts: 27
    edited November 2016

    Thank You Marie! I've posted this in the Triple Negative area. And thanks for your prayers :)

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