CT scan Boney lesions, I have just had a CT scan and boney lesions have been detected on my pelvis and lower spine, is this CLL related.

[MrsB1963]

diagnosed 9 years ago, my platelets have started to drop from 240 to 144 in the last 6 months or so. Also had a CT scan recently lots of lymph node’s throughout also enlarged spleen not too enlarged 15cm. Also boney lesions on my pelvis and lower back bones. Concluded I have thinning bones, is this CLL related

[SofiaDeo]

Like any other lesion, a biopsy would be needed to determine exactly what it is made of. I can't say if yours will just be monitored, or if someone will want a biopsy, or if possibly just treating the CLL will be started first, since it seems you are having some other changes.

hss.edu/condition-list_bone...

[MrsB1963 in reply to SofiaDeo]

Thanks for your quick reply, the report said visualised bones are osteoporotic with Lucencies in pelvic bones as well as boney lesions.

[LeoPa]

Are you on any treatment? Osteoporosis is widespread among females after menopause. Even if they don't have CLL. Lack of exercise and a bad diet is the cause. A deficiency in any of the: vitamin D, K2 & calcium trifecta. All three are needed in order to deposit calcium into bones. Instead of depositing it into places we don't want them, like arteries. The bones are the body's calcium stores. If one doesn't consume enough calcium, the body takes it from the bones.

[MrsB1963 in reply to LeoPa]

Hi

I am a healthy lifestyle coach so my exercise and diet are good. Was just wondering if related to CLL

[LeoPa in reply to MrsB1963]

What is your definition of a good diet? I've never heard of CLL causing osteoporosis but since both are predominantly old folks' conditions, they can go hand in hand. Is there any young CLL member here having osteoporosis? That'd be of interest but I don't recall anyone such.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi MrsB1963,

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(I'm not medically trained), but if you are female, 61 years old and past menopause, it is common to have Ostopenia

webmd.com/osteoporosis/oste...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osteo...

and you should get a full work up and diagnosis for treating bone density loss.

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Whether CLL contributes to bone loss and arthritic joint problems is a hot topic among our members, but our doctors have divergent opinions on whether CLL is a contributor or merely at the scene of the crime.

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We do know that regular exercise is a great treatment for both CLL (fatigue) and bone density loss, whether you would also benefit from one of the many available treatments to slow or reverse your bone issues would be up to your medical team.

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Len

[MrsB1963 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks

[Bluesinthenight]

MrsB1963 , "Bone lesions" is a very general term that encompasses benign things like bone cysts, osteoporosis, and bone islands, the former two due to relative absence of bone density on the scan and the latter one due to an increase in density. "Bone lesions" also includes things like metastatic cancer or tumors of bone (like myeloma or sarcoma), or an infection of bone, abnormalities like bone collapse in spine from osteoporosis and traumatic injury. So, how does one sort all these things out? The radiologist uses typical appearances on x-ray, CT or MRI, or PET scanning plus clinical history to differentiate these possibilities. It may only take one study, but when in doubt, another study of the same or a different type may be called for. Sometimes, a bone biopsy may be required if suspicion is high enough for malignancy.

The main point is, you can review your CT scan findings with your treating physician and you can even request seeing the CT scan images with that physician (usually can be pulled up on a computer), or even the radiologist who read your CT scan. If you have had prior CT scans, these are literally gold: Things that are old findings and unchanged can be very helpful in diagnosis. For imaging studies, old is good!

[MrsB1963 in reply to Bluesinthenight]

Very useful information. Thank you

[Bluesinthenight in reply to MrsB1963]

Have you ever had a DEXA scan for bone mineral density, perhaps in the past? CT can do this, but DEXA scans are commonly used.

[MrsB1963 in reply to Bluesinthenight]

Hi

No I have had 2 CT scans one recently and one 3 years ago. I’m sure they were not Dexa scans

[Bluesinthenight in reply to MrsB1963]

Comparing your two CT scans would be very worthwhile regarding the bones mentioned in your recent report.