Hot Spot on Bone Scan

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whippetiggy
whippetiggy Member Posts: 49
edited November 2016 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

I just got a bone scan and it showed a hot spot on the front view of my neck but not the back view. My onc. has been doing this for 47 years and said he's 99.9% sure it's not mets but ordered an MRI anyway. He said that bone mets shows on all views of the bone scan which is why he's almost positive it's benign. Anyone else ever experience this?

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2016

    whippet, I'm certainly not an onc, but I would tend to agree with yours. The neck is a very odd place for mets to first appear, but not at all unusual for other degenerative issues, such as arthritis or simply vestiges of old injuries. With 47 years experience, I would be very satisfied with your onc's opinion and odds, but if it leaves you with any doubts, take your images somewhere else for a second opinion and reassurance. Deanna

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  • whippetiggy
    whippetiggy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2016

    Thanks Deanna. My onc is sending me for an MRI on Saturday. Again, waiting for test results! I hate that so much. He's a great dr. with tons of experience in cancer. He's been fabulous. I'm sure I'm just nervous. Plus, when I told my mom about it this morning, she mentioned several old injuries and how my neck cracks so badly right at that particular spot. She's betting on arthritis.

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  • sunseta1969
    sunseta1969 Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2016

    Whippet, I just went through the same thing. I have 2 lesions on my spine that did not light up but a spot on my throat that did light up. My oncologist thinks it is from me swallowing during the scan. They are going to do blood work in 6 weeks and another scan in 3 months. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    I did just realize you said bone scan and mine was a PET scan.

    Amanda

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited November 2016

    Hoping the MRI is clear

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  • whippetiggy
    whippetiggy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2016

    As crazy as it sounds, I'm praying for arthritis! Or anything else benign.

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  • whippetiggy
    whippetiggy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2016

    I just woke up to new test results on my online medical chart. This is what my bone scan says:

    IMPRESSION: Focus of increased radiotracer activity at the lower
    cervical spine. This should be further evaluated with an MRI of the
    cervical spine to assess for metastatic disease.

    My MRI for this is today. I hate the word metastatic. It scares me to death!

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  • leftduetostupidmods
    leftduetostupidmods Member Posts: 620
    edited November 2016

    I have two spots (of which one on the C6-C7 so probably about the same spot as yours) that keep showing on the bone scans for years - that is, all the bone scans I've had since I was diagnosed. Unchanged. Actually there was a third one that was gone at the last bone scan. My onc said that even if they are mets (which he thinks they might be) they are small and unchanged and probably due to my lifestyle (low carb diet + exercise) I'm keeping them in check, and left it up to me if I wanted further diagnostics and treatment. I refused and said only if they start growing I'll start being concerned.

    What everybody else said is true. Bone scan will show degenerative arthritis as hot spot the same it would show bone mets. The spine and knees are the first to show signs of "wear and tear" as we age. It's a good thing to check with an MRI for your peace of mind, but don't worry too much. What is the size of it?

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  • whippetiggy
    whippetiggy Member Posts: 49
    edited November 2016

    That's interesting. I thought if something showed as mets, it would just take off and go crazy. So, there is hope if it turns out bad.

    I can't find a size on this. I did see that it says I have osteoarthritis in my shoulders. No mention of knees. Ankles and feet show stress-related changes. So, basically, just that 1 spot.

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