Bone vs. PET scan results

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awnie1301
awnie1301 Member Posts: 59
edited July 2016 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

Two weeks ago I hurt my back dancing. So much so I ended up getting a bone scan just to be sure. I have had two prior bone scans that just showed degenerative changes at my SI joint (the area of pain). Well this time the scan showed 3 spots on my ribs (no pain right now).

The report stated "increased uptake...right 3rd rib in the anterior axillary line, right 5th rib at the costochondral junction and the 11th rib in the posterior axillary line suspicious for early metastatic disease".

It goes on to say "rib fractures might give the same appearance so further rib X-Ray is recommended if not already done"

All this sent me in for an urgent PET/CT yesterday. The nuclear medicine radiologist assures me that there is no cancer on the PET and that the CT show the ribs as old fractures. I did have a bad cough last Sep that landed me in the emergency room with severe rib pain but the X-ray at that time showed nothing.

What do I believe?

Ugh! I want to be relieved with these results but still not sure. Would love to hear any thoughts or stories.

Thanks,

Andrea

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited July 2016

    PET scans are better at diagnosing metastases than bone scans. The bone scan shows something there, but the PET scan is better at showing just what it is that is there.

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  • awnie1301
    awnie1301 Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2016

    Thanks for your reply. At my diagnosis I had a 3cm tumor and 5 lymph nodes and had just had a clear mammogram 3 weeks prior so I have developed a healthy scepticism of radiological reports. The radiologist who read that mammogram admits he just missed it.

    I will be seeing my Onc on Tuesday morning so hopefully we can pull all of the pieces together and come to a conclusion.

    I know I will be changing AI as the degenerative changes are worsening.


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  • freyabennett
    freyabennett Member Posts: 6
    edited July 2016

    It seems that bone fractures are more common for cancer patients: bone cancer and fractures

    I wonder if there is an inverse relation as well, frequent traumas and inflammations increasing cancer probability.

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  • doxie
    doxie Member Posts: 1,455
    edited July 2016

    I'm now dealing with a rib fracture from coughing caused by a severe cold. Two weeks into the injury, I've held off getting x-rays because they seldom show rib fractures of this type until they start healing or are healed. So this is in line with what your PET shows and the fact that the rib fractures didn't show up when you were in pain. I wonder what your Onc will say.

    Since treatment is home care with restricted movement and NSAIDs, my PCP is fine with coming in only if the pain doesn't subside. We are looking at 4-6 weeks to heal.

    My question is why my ribs couldn't handle the stress of coughing. Bone density? Mets to ribs? It was on the side opposite to BC, so I cannot blame it on radiation. Hoping this heals so I don't have to follow up with my MO to check on mets.

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