Can they tell if the cancer is in bones without a bone scan?

User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 10:53

Hello...Mrs worry guts here again. This question as worried me for months now. I am sure a lot of you have seen my other conversations and seen what a worrier I am. But what I keep wondering is why my other half has never been offered a bone scan. He had a Gleason of 3+3 psa 3.7 raising to 4.9 6 months later. The biopsy showed less than 5% cancer. I have read that even the smallest prostate cancer can spread to the bones. The OH had brachytherapy in Jan (lots of bad side effects but that is another story) he is complaining all the time that his bones in his pelvis and lower back ache constantly. Last time we saw the consultant at the 6 week check I was going to ask why no bone scan, but I couldn't pluck up the courage to ask...we are meant to trust him.

All those we know with prostate cancer (not many) have had a bone scan and most profiles I have looked at on here with the lower gleason like us have still had a bone scan. Does anyone know why we were not offered one? Is it standard not to offer one with the lower gleason? Can they really tell by the MRI? Or am I letting my mind go mad as usual. Thanks for reading.

User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 22:13

Hi just found this on PCUK website. This states you may not need the scan with results similar to your OH's

Sure it will be perfectly normal for his circumstance. The back ache is probably totally unrelated...it's so easy to make the connection to Pca

http://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/getting-diagnosed/how-is-prostate-cancer-diagnosed#will-i-need-to-have-a-scan

Take care

Bri

Edited by member 29 Mar 2015 at 22:18 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 08:48

Well, you are worry guts but that is your nature. I'm a fretter myself. My husband always says I'll worry if there's nothing to worry about because I'll feel there should be, so I know how you feel.

However, unless you ask the questions of the people who SHOULD know the answer, you'll continue to worry.

They won't mind, even if you think it's going to sound silly.

Try it next time ! Make a list. I do-

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

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User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 22:02

Hi I think you may have answered your own question With the low PSA, low Gleason score and small volume of PCa at biopsy.

I don't think everyone on here has had a bone scan.

The specialists treating your OH are obviously confident from the tests he has had that the tumour wasn't large and was obviously well contained in the prostate capsule.

However, I am sure the consultant wouldn't mind you asking the question and I suspect he would tell you that the tests performed confirmed his staging

Bri

User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 22:13

Hi just found this on PCUK website. This states you may not need the scan with results similar to your OH's

Edited by member 29 Mar 2015 at 22:18 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 23:46

I would think whether a bone scan is done would be down to the circumstances of an individual patient. However, I would say to you and anybody else who has been reluctant to ask a consultant a question, don't hold back, it can help to know why certain things are done and other things not as your question here confirms.

Barry

User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 23:49

I did not have a bone scan. When my prostate was removed, Christie's were confident the cancer was all contained. I have never felt the need to ask for one, as my PSA remains undetectable. If you are still concerned, ask the question. You are entitled to an answer.

Paul

Stay Calm And Carry On.

User

Posted 29 Mar 2015 at 23:53

I understand your worries but bone spread is Extremely unlikely 😜

I actually do have spread to bone so I do know what I'm talking about 😉

Nil desperandum
Allister

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 08:21

Thanks for replies. I am sure I am worrying about nothing, having read even the smallest of prostate cancer can spread to the bones it has made me worry. I don't know much about this disease but I assumed it had to break out the prostate to spread but have since read this is not true for the bones as it spreads via blood.
The pain is in his seat bones and pelvis (also lower back, but that has been there a long time) he sti can't sit down for long since having brachy as it is too painful, so perhaps it is all related. I will definitely ask when we see consultant mid May.

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 08:48

Well, you are worry guts but that is your nature. I'm a fretter myself. My husband always says I'll worry if there's nothing to worry about because I'll feel there should be, so I know how you feel.

However, unless you ask the questions of the people who SHOULD know the answer, you'll continue to worry.

They won't mind, even if you think it's going to sound silly.

Try it next time ! Make a list. I do-

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 10:45

Hi sjtb,

Check out my profile and you will see that I was not given a bone scan either...

When my initial MRI scan was arranged following my positive biopsy result I expected be given a bone scan also....

When I asked my consultant about this he told me that with my current PSA level and Gleason score ( 3+3 at the time ) it was highly unlikely that it would have spread to my bones...

Later on I found out that some hospitals do not automatically carry out bone scans on PCa patients unless their PSA and other factors eg. Gleason score etc are at a certain level...

I've suffered with a bad back for a number years and even had and x rays in the past.... this was put down to arthritis caused by wear and tear...

My back ache has got worse recently, and like you, I'm wondering ...........

I'm due to see my consultant again in April for a routine PSA check and review so will mention this to him....

My last PSA result was <0.01 so I'm hoping for similar again...... If the PCa had spread to my bones I would have thought that there would be an indication with my PSA levels rising?
Maybe someone on this forum could answer that for me?

Best Wishes

Luther

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 12:31

As Luther said ... your PSA will rise rapidly , mine went from 5.6 in October 2014 to 73 in February 2015 , i have bone mets in my skull , ribs , spine , collar bone , left arm , top right leg and pelvic bone , also in my nodes in the my left neck and in my chest , i have no pain what so ever , so if i never had a bone scan ( which i have had quite a few ) i would never know any thing about them , hope this helps .

Just click on my name to read my profile ... all is there to be told .

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 14:28

Yes Johsan, I know I am a constant worrier, I did take a list but I didn't ask incase he got cross with me! Luther your worries are like mine, but your psa would surely be higher? I will find my OH's psa out in May. Just read your profile Dave, you have certainly been through it. My other half has similar radiation symptoms to you had, I like the bit when you said you got up 5 sodding times in the night! My OH's record is 9 times, but most nights it varies from twice to 5 times. (he never got up at night before brachy) He also has radiation induced cystitis and prostatitis. He was hoping that 3 months on it would start to ease. So with that and the aching bones he is suffering, also this time of year being a farmer he works a long day. But hopefully if it brings a "cure" for a few years it should be worth it. Seems most get a return somewhere along the line.

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 17:34

It's possible the aching is due to the prostatis

Bri

User

Posted 30 Mar 2015 at 17:53

Hi Sjtb

If your hubby is still having problems and you are worried/concerned I would ring or email the hospital where he had the procedure. They are usually very helpful, mine are anyhow, and are well used to such questions. At the end of the day they will, or should, be as interested with his aftercare and any problems he may have as they were with his treatment. I emailed the oncology nurse at my hospital and she rang me back the same day and was very understanding and reassuring. It will be worth the call for your own peace of mind. I did have a bone scan as well as a biopsy and MRI scan by the way but I guess hospitals differ in their approach.

I am still suffering after my Brachytherapy, as you know, but nowhere near as severe as your hubby by the sound of it.

Make that call, you know it makes sense

Lyrical

User

Posted 31 Mar 2015 at 07:17

Hello, thanks for replies. I have suggested he call the consultant (Mainly about the symptoms he still has, but he can ask about bone scan too) but he won't. There is no direct email address on the letters otherwise I would email. We have a direct line for his secretary though, but he doesn't want to bother them. I can do no more, will have to wait until end of May for appointment.
Thanks again for replies, I will try not to worry for the next 8 weeks!

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