Abnormal Bone Scan - What Next?

My husband had one kidney removed 2 years ago - Papillary RCC - Grade2.  Remaining kidney functioning at 50%, but he has been relatively OK.  He has back and hip pain - doctor sent him for bone scan.  Bone scan says "Several areas of increased activity" in thoracic spine, hip and sternal activity.  He went for more x-rays this week.  Can anyone advise which doctor we should see now (urologist, ortho?) and what quesitons we should be asking?  I am terrified he has mets to these areas.

Thanks and God Bless,

Lydia

On 5/20/2009 Lydianow wrote:

My husband had one kidney removed 2 years ago - Papillary RCC - Grade2.  Remaining kidney functioning at 50%, but he has been relatively OK.  He has back and hip pain - doctor sent him for bone scan.  Bone scan says "Several areas of increased activity" in thoracic spine, hip and sternal activity.  He went for more x-rays this week.  Can anyone advise which doctor we should see now (urologist, ortho?) and what quesitons we should be asking?  I am terrified he has mets to these areas.

Thanks and God Bless,

Lydia

Lydia I am sorry to hear this, My husband has metastatic colon cancer he has been complaining of hip pain and back pain which doesn't get much relief from pain meds now I am terrified he has mets to these areas to.  I'm sorry I can't answer your question I wanted to say your not alone if that makes any diffrence....  I haven't called the Dr. yet he doesn't want me to he has been doing good for a couple months and I am sure he is scared if anyoe answers this I would like to know myself.

God Bless your in my thoughts,

Linda Kaye

Thanks, Linda -

It is always comforting to know there are others in the same boat.  Please keep me posted on how your husband is doing, and I will do the same.  Hang in there -

Lydia

Lydia, 

I would make an appointment with on oncologist.  My husband was diagnosed with CIS bladder cancer.   He experienced pain in his neck and lower back.  All his doctors initially attributed the pain to his osteoarthritis.  

A post operative biopsy following bladder removal & reconstruction surgery showed that pain was due to mets to the spine. 

I pray that your situation is not the same as ours.  If it is cancer, the sooner he recieves treatment the better the prognosis.

Michelle

On 5/21/2009 Lindyb wrote:

 

On 5/20/2009 Lydianow wrote:

My husband had one kidney removed 2 years ago - Papillary RCC - Grade2.  Remaining kidney functioning at 50%, but he has been relatively OK.  He has back and hip pain - doctor sent him for bone scan.  Bone scan says "Several areas of increased activity" in thoracic spine, hip and sternal activity.  He went for more x-rays this week.  Can anyone advise which doctor we should see now (urologist, ortho?) and what quesitons we should be asking?  I am terrified he has mets to these areas.

Thanks and God Bless,

Lydia

Lydia I am sorry to hear this, My husband has metastatic colon cancer he has been complaining of hip pain and back pain which doesn't get much relief from pain meds now I am terrified he has mets to these areas to.  I'm sorry I can't answer your question I wanted to say your not alone if that makes any diffrence....  I haven't called the Dr. yet he doesn't want me to he has been doing good for a couple months and I am sure he is scared if anyoe answers this I would like to know myself.

God Bless your in my thoughts,

Linda Kaye

Linda

I would be going straight back to your current oncologist (or the Dr who ordered these tests) and saying you feel very confused and would like HIM to refer you to the person best able to handle your questions if he, the dr is not able to deal with your questions.  I have found that I have had to follow up on every single new development myself ... my oncologist, a marvellous dr, is so busy and under such stress that really all he is concerned with is my current blood results - never mind any other pain or problems I may be having.  You must be pro-active.

Best wishes

Dianne