Are Lytic Lesions on CT Scans Always Cancer? Worried.

Confused39
Confused39 Member Posts: 14
in Breast Cancer #1
My mom who is an 11 year Stage 3 breast cancer survivor had an xray done for shoulder pain at the ER which was clear. A CT scan was ordered of the neck/chest/abdomen/pelvis because of her history and the results are suspicious for malignancy.

We are going stir crazy waiting for an appt. for biopsy and she has a bone scan scheduled for next week. In the mean time I was hoping someone could share some insight about her results:

#1- Lytic lesion right head of clavicle with soft tissue density. Invades prox. right sternocleidomastoid muscle and 2 other lytic lesions in right sacrum + illiac bone. Left sclerotic lesion.

#2- Mild non-specific lymphadenopathy

#3- 6x3mm oblong lung nodule

#4 -No source seen.

Conclusion:

3 lytic lesions --> one in right clavicular head causing expansion and assoc. soft tissue density.

DDX: mets, myeloma, ? other?

Consider biopsy and bone scan.

Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
    Biopsy and scan
    If your mother did not have a history of breast cancer then I would hope for a benign condition such arthritis. With her history it doesn't look good. I am certainly not an expert but I do have rib mets along with lungs, & pleura.

    As suggested, a biopsy and the bone scan will certainly give you an answer. X-rays, and a ct scan with the same indication are usually pretty close to being on target. Though sometimes, they can be wrong.

    I wish your mother and you the best of luck and hope it is some simple explanation that will set her mind and yours at ease.

    Best,

    Doris
  • Confused39
    Confused39 Member Posts: 14
    #3
    SIROD said:

    Biopsy and scan
    If your mother did not have a history of breast cancer then I would hope for a benign condition such arthritis. With her history it doesn't look good. I am certainly not an expert but I do have rib mets along with lungs, & pleura.

    As suggested, a biopsy and the bone scan will certainly give you an answer. X-rays, and a ct scan with the same indication are usually pretty close to being on target. Though sometimes, they can be wrong.

    I wish your mother and you the best of luck and hope it is some simple explanation that will set her mind and yours at ease.

    Best,

    Doris

    Thank you Doris.
    My
    Thank you Doris.

    My confusion comes from the fact that her X-ray and blood were completely clear/normal and it was only the CT that these things turned up.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
    Confused39 said:

    Thank you Doris.
    My
    Thank you Doris.

    My confusion comes from the fact that her X-ray and blood were completely clear/normal and it was only the CT that these things turned up.

    PET/CT
    Hi,
    Sorry that your Mom is having these health issues and lytic lesions. It is my understanding that lytic lesion means the bone has a partial atpohpy and its structure has changed. I hope for a good outcome for your mother. As Doris I do have lytic lesions in my bones and I am 50. Mine were identified by PET/CT and bone scan, and I had to have a bone biopcy, which was not fun. I am not aware of using X-ray for cancer diagnosis. if you want to rule out mets & cancer ask for PET/CT in addition to bone scan
    Please let us know about Mom's progress
    Hugs

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