Diagnosing Bone Metastasis
Bone metastasis refers to the spread of cancer cells from their original location to the bones. It is also known as metastatic bone disease or secondary bone cancer because the cancer did not start in the bones.
To diagnose bone metastasis, healthcare professionals use a mix of exams, screening tests, and procedures. These help confirm a diagnosis and determine the type and stage of cancer and how serious the bone metastasis is.
Exams and screening tests for diagnosing bone metastasis:
- Full medical history: A healthcare professional will take a complete medical history, including any past cancer.
- Physical exam: During a physical exam, the healthcare professional will look for swelling or areas of pain in the bones.
- Blood tests: Blood tests are done to check bone marrow function and calcium levels. High calcium levels may indicate bone metastasis.
- Imaging tests: Various imaging tests are used to find and see bone metastasis. These include:
- X-rays: X-rays can identify areas of bone weakness or possible broken bones
- Bone scans: A bone scan can show if other bones are affected by metastasis
- CT scan: CT scans provide detailed images of the bones and can help look at how far the cancer has spread (metastasis)
- MRI scans: MRI scans use magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the bones and nearby tissues
Specialists involved in diagnosing bone metastasis:
- Oncologist: An oncologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer. They play an important role in diagnosing bone metastasis.
- Radiologist: A radiologist is a specialist who looks at imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans to help diagnose bone metastasis.
- Pathologist: If a biopsy is performed, a pathologist studies the tissue sample under a microscope to determine if it is cancerous.
Additional exams, tests, or procedures for determining type, severity, or stage:
- Biopsy: A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue is taken from the area of the bone that might have cancer. Trained specialists look at the sample for signs of cancer. This helps find out what type of cancer is causing the bone metastasis.
- Mammography: A mammography is an X-ray of the breast. If doctors think breast cancer is the main cause of the metastasis, they may do a mammography to check the breast tissue.
- Chest X-ray or CT scan: To see if lung cancer is the main cause of metastasis, a chest X-ray or CT scan may be done.
- Transrectal ultrasound: If prostate cancer is thought to be the main cause of metastasis, a ultrasound may be used to check the prostate.
These additional exams, tests, or procedures help identify any factors or signs related to the type or stage of bone metastasis. They provide important information that guides treatment decisions and helps determine the best ways to handle treatment for people with bone metastasis.
Remember to talk with your healthcare professional if you are experiencing symptoms or have concerns about bone metastasis. They can give you advice based on your situation.