Secondary Bone Cancer

[valpal]

I have had a bone scan done last year.  It showed uptake in the neck and foot.  It was not considered to be mets.  I am stage 2a.  During chemo the pain from neck was not as bad.  I also was not working on the computer, lifting, etc as much.  I have finished chemo in December.  The neck pain is worse now.  I had a followup chest CT Scan recently which was clear.  But I wondered if the bones would show up in the CT Scan?  Also, do arthritic symptoms tend to disappear during chemo?

[valpal]

I asked my Onc to order a CT Scan of the neck.  It was clear!  Thanks goodness.  I guess I live now with the uncertainty of every ache and pain.  It has been one year since my dx.  Hopefully these fears will become less and less through the years.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear valpal, Some areas of the bone are seen in the CT scan, however it would not necessarily be the preferred test to evaluate for bone disease.  The disappearance of arthritic symptoms during chemo. would more likely be due to the change in activity than because of the drugs themselves.  However, if you were taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or steroids during chemotherapy treatments those may help to improve arthritis symptoms.