increased activity in bone scan

[Cherylmax]

I was diagnosed with stage 1 , estrogen positive, node negative  invasive cancer in 2005 aged 39. I have two lumpectomy op's, elected for chemo and radiation. I am taking tamoxifen. Owing to hip pain I was referred for bone scan which showed no problem with hip but showed increased activity in 6 rib posterior. I have now had an xray and am waiting to see the Oncolgist for results but this will be after Christmas.
I have not had an injury to this area to the best of my knowledge. I did have rib pain in April and had a chest xray at that time which was all clear. The pain has since gone away.
What does "increased activity" really mean ??
Many Thanks
Cherylmax

[lizziecee]

Hi Cheryl,

I also was dx with invasive ductal cancer, in 2003, stage and grade 2. I had a WLE, then total axillary removal (4/18 nodes positive) and had 6 FEC and 25 ras with 2 boosters.

Some 2 yrs later I got severe left hip pain - went to see my Gp - stupid move - he sent me for an x-ray, said nothing was wrong except degeneration of T5 and T6 vertebrae.
Prescribed physio - I had this weekly for 3 months, waste of time, both for me and the physio.
Soon afterwards I had my annual review with my breast cancer surgeon and told him about the pain. I had a nuclear bone scan a few days later (almost a miracle with our socialised health service in England) and I was dx with arthritis. GP put me on the bisphosphonate Alendronic Acid, 1 tablet weekly (a real pain to take as you can't eat or drink anything but water for a half hour on rising in the morning and all I want is a cup of tea!). I also have to take 2 Calcichew/Vit.D tablets twice a day.  

I also have Crohn's disease and recently had a DEXA bone density scan as I have taken steroids for some 30 yrs and my gastro was concerned that I am taking Arimidex for breast cancer, which does not protect the bones as tamoxifen does, but has a better prognosis for non-recurrence of bc.  My bone density has thinned dramatically , was dx with osteopenia, since being on Arimidex for 4 yrs, but the Alendronic Acid has really reduced the pain level. I only wake up perhaps 3 times a night now, rather than every hour.

I do hope the Oncologist will give you some definitive answers and treatment for the hip pain.
Liz.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Cherylmax,  A bone scan is a nuclear scanning test that identifies new areas of bone growth or breakdown. It can be done to evaluate damage to the bones, detect cancer that has spread (metastasized) to the bones, and monitor conditions that can affect the bones (including infection and trauma).  Areas of increased activity can mean a variety of things.   It may indicate presence of a tumor, a fracture, even infection.  The results are correlated with what is happening with the patient (clinical evaluation) and other testing (such as the x-ray).  The oncologist will be able to help to clarify the results in context for you.