Bone Cancer Forum - Metastatic spine cancer

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Q: Metastatic spine cancer

asked by: DoctorQuestion on June 25th, 2009

my husband was recently diagnosed with metastatic spine cancer which was confirmed by PET scan and MRI. However, a bone scan which was done afterward shows 'no activity' in the area. What does this mean?

Replies(2)

Dr. Manoranajan Chowhan , MD

replied on June 27th, 2009

Bone Cancer Answer A6865

While bone scans will generally reveal metastatic tumors within the skeleton, they are, as will all imaging tests, not perfect. Tumors (and, especially, small tumors) can, indeed, be missed by CT, MRI, PET and bone scans. Ultimately, the only 100% accurate test for metastatic cancer is a biopsy.

I wish you and your husband well, and hope that his doctors will be able to treat his disease effectively.

Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

http://doctorwascher.com

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Dr. Manoranajan Chowhan , MD

replied on October 6th, 2009

As your Doctor diagnosed metastatic bone disease by MR and PET scan that itself is enough to start further treatment and regular followup with your treating doctor however as regards the bone scan the same may not be as accurate as that of MR and PET report though if the bone scan done after treatment and following PET scan the same may mean there is improvement with therapy that is instituted by your treating doctor.
Bone scan is not the only test on which the treatment be based upon.
thanks from Dr Chowhan

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