Bone scan anxiety

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Hi,

My husband recently had the results of his MRI scan and was told there was some suspicious areas on the left side of his prostate as well as the lymph nodes. I am finding this all very overwhelming.

He is going for a bone scan next week, followed by a biopsy the following week. He is 59 and has absolutely no symptoms.

I am very anxious about him being sent for a bone scan before the biopsy, as I am worried that the results of the MRI scan indicates spread to the bones.

I have read that with a PSA level above 20 it is normal for a bone scan to be done. My husband last had his PSA level checked in January and it was 24.

Just looking for some reassurance that this is part of the normal diagnosis pathway and nothing more.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

David2017 7 days ago

Hi Worried wifey , a bone scan at this stage seems absolutely routine. David

Slartibartfast 7 days ago

Hi There

Dont worry about it. It's pretty much standard practise
Better to get it done and over with
The worst part about it is the waiting around after the injection before they can do the scan

Take a book to read ;-)

Alpine Wanderer 7 days ago

My final PSA during diagnosis was 13.0, and I had a bone scan. It’s routine, because if it’s in the bones it’s usually straight to systemic therapy. That said, with your husband being PSA 24, I think his bone scan will be clear. It is likely, with the MRI areas of suspicion found in the localised lymph nodes near the prostate (that’s just pelvic area where the MRI looks) that the treatment will be radiotherapy & hormone therapy on a curative pathway. Try to stay calm : you’re on the diagnosis pathway at moment so keep pushing politely and if he’s going the way I think he is (radiotherapy) ask for the precursor to hormone therapy (bicalutamide tablets) as soon as possible. These will put the cancer to sleep whilst they prepare the radiotherapy plans and order in the hormone jabs. AW

Buzzers 7 days ago

Hi Worried wifey,

A bone scan is part of the routine fact finding process so don't read anything into the fact that one is being done & I found it a straight forward painless experience. What I did find interesting was that I the hospital I went to it was done in the Nuclear medicine department & my other half expected me to glow in the dark .

Best Wishes

Brian

Worried wifey 7 days ago in reply to David2017

Thanks David.

Worried wifey 7 days ago in reply to Buzzers

Thanks Brian, Your response has reduced my anxiety a bit.

Worried wifey 7 days ago in reply to Slartibartfast

Thanks. Your response has reduced my anxiety a bit.

Worried wifey 7 days ago in reply to Alpine Wanderer

Thanks AW. Your response has reduced my anxiety a bit.

Hopingforthebest 7 days ago

My husband’s PSA is 33 and he’s been referred for a bone scan even though his bones look clear on the MRI. We’ve been told it’s because his PSA is over 20.

It’s good that your husband’s bone scan is before the biopsy. Annoyingly, my husband wasn’t referred for his until after biopsy results, which is prolonging the duration to treatment.

You’ll be able to have all your results together - and hopefully your husband will be able to get onto a curative path very soon. All the best to you both

Mace 7 days ago in reply to Hopingforthebest

My PSA was 5 but had to have a bone scan which came back clear ,good luck

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