Nervous Husband Needs Answers

[kkneedsinfo]

My husband had an MRI with the following Conclusion:  1.  Tiny disc protrusions at L4-L5 L5-S1. No significant central canal/foraminal stenosis nor nerve root impingement.  2.  Diffuse marrow T1 sypointensity may be related to a marrow replacement or proliferative process suchs as elevated hermatopoiesis from anemia.  Correlation with complete blood count recommended.  It is #2 that has him concerned.  He was sent for blood work and was told it came back "stable".  His primary wants to send him to an oncologist so he is scared to death he has cancer.  Could the #2 conclusion indicate cancer and where should we go from here?  He is going to the local Brain & Spine center for answer #1.  Thank you.

[kkneedsinfo]

Thank you so much for the reply.  He has been to our local brain & spine center since I posted, as well as an oncology/hematology center.  The dr. he saw at the brain & spine center (he was in the rehab office) saw nothing of concern on the MRI, as you stated about the tiny disc protrusions.  The oncologist took some more blood to run more tests, checked his prostrate.  She also was not concerned, but did want to investigate further.  It all started with him hurting his back while kneeling and pulling out a large clump of grass/weeds.  He went to a chiropractor and ended up in more pain.  The chiropractor sent him for the MRI, then looked at it, saw a "change in color" in one of the discs and threw out the word TUMOR!!  That sent my husband into a tailspin mentally.  I was the one who made the appt. at the brain & spine center.  I wish I had sent him there before everything else.  But thank you again for your reply, it's the icing on the cake of reassurance!!! THANKS!!

[Dr Sharma]

Hello dear and welcome to the medhelp forum. I understand your husband’s anxiety regarding the MRI findings. Tiny disc protrusions would cause only some exiting nerve root compression and consequent symptoms if any. The diffuse marrow T1 hypointensity needs detailed investigation.  He needs to be checked for any primary growth in thyroid, prostate or kidneys.  Multiple myeloma also shows up as homogenous signal reduction on T1 weighted image on MRI.  This is not an isolated MRI diagnosis and would need clinical suspicion and blood investigations to check serum protein levels, renal function etc. he needs to follow a physician for primary investigation and workup. I am glad his blood workup was within normal limits. This would rule out any concerning diagnosis. Wishing him all the best.