Bone Density Scan (DEXA)

[Lisa-n-AZ]

So one more question for the day. Should I be asking for a DEXA scan since I had Bone METS? I am 52 so I have never had a DEXA scan, but have been dealing with High Calcium, low Vit D and B-12.

Thanks

[Hidden]

I used to get Dexa Scan to check on Osteopenia but since I have bone mets now I get only full bone scans which better show the cancer.

[MaryJ-S in reply to Hidden]

I am the same as Honeydue. It is one of the scans that alternates with CT or PET that is used by my Oncologist. However, if you have small bones or osteoporosis

runs in your family you could ask your doctor if it would be appropriate to have a bone scan.

[Kats2]

Lisa,

I don’t know what would be gained by having a DEXA scan of your bones. You must be getting radioactive bone scans or CT scans which show the condition of your bones as far as your bone mets go,

Right before my diagnosis of bone mets I had one of those scans and it showed that the density of my bones was in the normal range.

This routine scan isn’t meant to show cancer in your bones but just the thickness of your bones. It’s to see if your bones are weak and show Osteopenia or Osteoporosis.

Ask your Oncologist about the difference between a bone density test and a bone scan. I did. They are different and measure different things,

Good luck! Kats2

[Lisa-n-AZ in reply to Kats2]

I'm 52 and have never had a Dexa scan. I had high blood calcium for over a decade, and from what I have read that just means my body is to metabolizing and could be robbing it from my bones. I am on Zometa which could lower my calcium but so far it is staying high. Just wanted to know if others had thier bone density base lined before all the wonders of chemo.

Thanks

Lisa

[BeckyHobson in reply to Lisa-n-AZ]

I am 53 and I have bone mets in my jaw/spine and skull. My onc did a bone scan when I was first diagnosed 19 mos ago just so he would have a benchmark and some of the hormone blockers are more likely to break down bone quicker if you are older or already have a lower density going on. My mother in law that is 79 just dealt with stage 1bc and she is on a completely different hormone blocker because of her density results. I’m pretty sure the bone scans we all get every 6 months can’t test density levels

[Swtberry]

My recent scan on the 1st of Dec, 2017 showed I have lytic lesions on my spine. My oncologist is planning to put me on zometa. I'm already on ibrance, letrozole and zoladex since Sept. 2017 because of mets to the lungs, liver and lymph nodes only for the spine to show up now. I'm a bit worried.

[Lisa-n-AZ in reply to Swtberry]

So sorry to hear. You are in my prayers. Only one of my spine tumors showed up on the PET but at a closer look they found the second on an MRI. What type of scan did the they find them on? At this point the tumors are showing Cancer on the PET but are still there.

[BeckyHobson in reply to Swtberry]

Wonder why he is adding Zometa now? I’ve been on Zometa ever since diagnosis. That is just a calcium booster to help the bones. So if I’m reading correct? You are getting new tumors in new places but on the same treatment? I’d be searching for a second opinion I think 🤔. Prays to you🙏

[Swtberry]

Thanks Lisa. 08/21/17 I did MRI of the neck, which showed osteoathritis. Then late chest CT scan which showed the liver, lungs and lymph nodes and osteoathritis of the spine. On 08/28/17 I had bone scan which showed no met to the bone.

However I has severe GIT issues while on ibrance which made the doctor put me on Nexium and sucralfate and later sent to do GIT/chest CT scan on the 12/1/17, that is the scan than showed lytic lesions throughout the spine.

I started zoladex shot on the 9/1/17 to put me into menopause, then I started ibrance and letrozole on the 9/20/17. So I'm still on my 3rd cycle of ibrance.

My doctor never said anything about PET scan yet.