Bone scans etc

[DizzyDee]

Hello ladies,
I have had a CT and bone scan. My tumour was large though 58mm and only found this out in surgery as ILC can sometimes be difficult to pick up on mam and ultrasound. I was Grade 2, lymph nodes clear and no IVC that is it hadnt gone into my bloodstream.
All my scans i had after surgery before rads. Must admit was really scared awaiting results of scans but they were all clear. It gave me a sense of relief knowing definetely that it hadnt spread. I would say from my own experience if they offer it to you take it as it gives you piece of mind. Dee xxxx

[hopefulholly]

Hi Blondie,  browsing and came across this thread. I can relate to your question about scans as I'm about to start chemo and I've not had any scans (apart from ultrasound on breast) so it seems that it may depend on different health authorities. This isn't an oversight as I specifically asked oncologist about scans and was told it was unnecessary.

Sending you best wishes for your surgery next week x

[Blondie223]

Thanks Sharnie, Kess, cattokitty, all very reassuring just to have answers when we have so many questions flying around in our heads xxx

[catokitty]

As I understand it they only do staging scans for low and intermediate grades if you have 4 or more lymph nodes affected. I had grade 1 mixed with grade 2 with 2 positive lymph nodes and I did not have CT MRI or bone scan. 

[Kess]

Hi Blondie. They dont generally scan unless they think its needed. So in cases where there is a higher chance of spread. Some teams are different, but with a low grade cancer, if your nodes are clear it would be quite unusual to have scans I think.

[Sharnie]

Hi Blondie, I am very lucky too - I had my first mammogram at 47 and after being recalled, having ultrasound, core biopsy and MRI scan I was diagnosed with 12mm grade 1 borderline 2. I had lumpectomy and SNB in May, lymph node was clear but my tumour was upgraded to grade 2 on pathology report. I'm now on Tamoxifen for at least five years and waiting for radiotherapy - I have to have 23 sessions, 15 and then 8 boosters to the area where the tumour was. I had no idea that I had a lump so am so lucky to have it picked up on my first screening - the day I went several ladies didn't turn up, I'm so glad I did! Wishing you well with your treatment xx

[Blondie223]

Wow Kim, so it's looking like we've actually both been very lucky xx

It does make me wonder too how many women are out there with things lurking that are perhaps never found/treated, seeing as not everyone even attends routine screening when called.

[Jobey68]

Almost my story to a t! My lump turned out to be fat ,they then found another on with ultra sound so took biopsy , this also turned out to be fine by by sheer luck he picked up some early cells lurking on the outside edge,turned out to be just 4mm so very lucky indeed!! Like you it could have been years before it was discovered!! Xx

[Blondie223]

Thanks Kim, good to hear, and yes, hopefully I'm on the same path as you. Mine was only found because I went to get a larger mass checked that turned out to be ok and the radiographer spotted this 6mm area on ultrasound. Apparently it could have been years before I would have felt anything, so lucky really.

On top of the world sounds good x

[Jobey68]

Blonde I had grade1 4mm and didn't have any scans, had it removed with clear margins and SNB which was also clear so just 3 weeks of rads and 5 years of tamoxifen, finished rads last week and feeling on top of the world, sounds like your heading the same way 😊

[Blondie223]

Thanks Ash x

Hmm, I've been having back pain too, dunno if that could just be tension though.

[Ash66]

Hi. I think it all depends on your health authority. I've had no scans apart from the heart one you get before chemo and when on Herceptin. I might be going for a bone scan just because I'm having rib and back pain but not sure yet. I've never had MRI or CT scans. x

[Blondie223]

Hi all, awaiting lumpectomy next week on a 6mm grade one, and sentinel node/s biopsy. Radiotherapy to follow. Well that's the plan as things stand anyway.

I've had no mention of bone scans etc so far but have seen many of you ladies mention various scans on here, and was just wondering if all of us get scans?

Thanks x