Bone Mets & Bone Density - two different topics?

[Hazelgreen]

Since I was concerned about the fractures that many have mentioned here, and paranoid about ending up in a wheelchair, I asked my GP to refer me for a bone densitometry test. I have the results now. Despite my extensive bone mets, and my age of 75, the test indicated that I'm at a low probability to have a fracture.

I attribute the reason for this being less likely my erratic exercise or my regular intake of calcium/ vitamin D, and much more likely the fact that I've been taking tamoxifen for 18 months now. All three measures computed were positive (anything above -1 is considered normal), and significantly higher for my spine than 10 years ago.

I was surprised by the latter result in particular since I assumed that extensive bone mets had to weaken bones structurally. According to the American Cancer Society, "When cancer cells block or speed up the action of the osteoblasts and osteoclasts, too much bone is broken down or too much bone is made. Either of these changes can make bones break easier than normal." Now, I'm wondering whether, for my spine, "too much bone" is being made. Since I have no one to ask, I'd be grateful for any feedback.

Thanks, Cindy

[queeneee]

Hello, what a great inquiry - and a positive result for you. I hope it eases your worries, I find your results hopeful. I recently had a conversation with an oncology nurse about sclerotic bone growth in the site of my mets (new bone growing) this can be a negative thing in some cancers..if it happens as the result of a drug regime, in breast cancer, it is considered positive. I say we enjoy ourselves and leave those wheelchairs gathering dust. Bone mets have also been known to disappear.

[Hazelgreen in reply to queeneee]

Thanks very much for your reply! It is good to read that sclerotic bone growth is considered positive in breast cancer. I couldn't find any reference outside the American Cancer Society page about "too much bone being made" so I too will "leave those wheelchairs gathering dust" 😊😇🥰. Best of wishes!!