Expectations

[Peterd110]

If I had extensive bone Mets throughout skeletal system a year ago, what should my expectations be for 1 year scans? Complete resolution?

[Hidden]

If your treatment has been successful (typically very low PSA and reduction or elimination of any symptoms), you could expect to see a reduction of mets. Some may be gone, but most will likely still be there, hopefully inactive. My bone scan showed a decent reduction and the "Christmas Tree" lights got dimmer. Some went out completely. The goal is to reduce or eliminate the activity in the mets. My doctor explained that the damage to the bones is still there though there can be some healing.

[Peterd110 in reply to Hidden]

Awesome. That’s exactly what I wanted to know.

[tom67inMA in reply to Peterd110]

To add on to what Hidden said, I recall one member here saying he had gradual improvement in his scans until it was all clear after 6 years.

[tango65]

IMHO, It depends on your PSA and the scan you are getting. PSMA PET/CT (Ga68 or 18F DCFPYL), Axumin PET/CT, 18F-NaF PET/CTs have a much higher detection rate than the bone scans or regular CT scans.

[larry_dammit]

In my case , doctor was happy that the Mets had not gotten any bigger. My lymph node had vanished. 3 years now and bone Mets are still there but no increase in size. Can’t be in a hurry with this monster, it’s a long battle 🙏🙏🙏

[Peterd110 in reply to larry_dammit]

Thank you, Larry.

[EdBar]

If I recall, it took around 6 months for my PSA to reach nadir which was undetectable. At a year bone scans showed no new uptake and a reduction of uptake in several areas. CT scans still showed lesions but nothing new. Affected nodes had shrunk.

Towards the end of the second year there was no uptake and CT showed sclerotic areas (scars) where lesions were.

Scans haven’t showed active uptake since, PSA remains undetectable. Still have sclerotic areas probably always will.

Be sure you’re having your Alka Phos checked regularly, (I get mine done monthly) this is a good indicator of whether bone is being broken down by the disease or not. Hang tough.

Ed

[Peterd110 in reply to EdBar]

Thanks, Ed!

[Hidden]

Everybody is different. My two Mets were resolved six months of chemo and hormone therapy trial; replace with new bone growth. Undetectable PSA happened nine months later as the little bastards continued to die.

GD

[Muffin2019]

My psa is 1.9, scan after 1 year of chomo and lupron showed no new lesions, all previous lesions are healing, feel much better, altered diet with very little red meat, tumeric and Curcumin with black pepper, daily vitamins with extra calcium as I did before chemo, did not have bone pain that surprised the radiologist, the doc credits taking the extra calcium years before the cancer came which strengened the bone mass. I walk in my part time job and walk when off the job that helps create bone mass and strengths the bones. I do have arthritis in my upper back, knees and ankles so walking helps that also. Very encouaging after 2nd scan this year as described above.

[monte1111]

Extensive bone mets. 8 cycles chemo. Mets still there but diminished. Lymph node mets gone. Uptake in various bones. 1 year scan pretty much the same. 2 year scan stable mets, no new mets, a little uptake (which may be arthritis etc), today's psa 0.1 Two years Xtandi. Still waiting for that shoe to drop. Enjoy.