Bone scan showed a spot "suspicious for metastasis.“

So sorry you have to wait for the weekend to be over!

How did docs detect your recurrence and was it in the bones?

Please let us know when you hear more!

My reoccurrence was found on a CT scan. It was found solely in the lymph nodes.

Thank you!

I hate that you have to wait all weekend to get more answers from your doctor. I can translate a bit, but remember, it is not always going to turn out to be metastasis even though it is suspicious. Your doctor will know more and may order another type of scan to be sure what is going on.
A lytic lesion is essentially a hole in the bone. In the 4th lumbar vertebrae of the spine. Which is suspicious for cancer.
I can’t really tell you any more because all I can do really is translate terms for you.
You said you were in recovery after a recurrence, how long ago did you complete treatments? Did they give you a her2 targeted treatment?

@stephm72 Sometimes I think it’s very good that our medical records such as your bone scan is released for the patient. But when you receive the report before you’ve seen your doctor to help interpret the scan it’s just plain frightening. How awful that your report arrived on a Friday and you have to wait through the weekend to talk with your doctor.

My husband (retired pathologist) told me that when there is wording such as « suspicious for metastasis » the radiologist who read your scan puts that wording in in to cover all the bases and to alert the physician who ordered the scan to follow-up. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there is metastasis, only that it is a possibility to be investigated.

If you are like me you want to a simple yes or no instead of « suspicious for ». I find it difficult to live with such ambiguity when I have medical tests. I have learned the skill of asking myself what I can and cannot control. I have medical appointments and tests coming up next week that is bringing up anxiety in me. I can’t control what hasn’t even happened yet. When the anxiety is stronger I remind myself that the appointments and tests are not here yet and it’s Saturday and to let those feelings and thoughts float away. The feelings and thoughts will make their way back and then I repeat this process.

When is your appointment scheduled with your doctor to discuss the results? Can you call or message your doctor on Monday?

I am definitely calling my doctor Monday. It IS difficult getting these results on a Friday but I really appreciate everyone’s input on this board. I have a follow up with my oncologist on the 8th to see how I’m adjusting to new meds (lexatrole and verzenio) after surgery. But I am hoping to get in a little earlier if possible. They are really great at working to get follow up tests scheduled quickly. It’s good to get some perspective on these results because seeing the word “metastasis” automatically makes me spin a little out of control with my anxiety. Thank you for your encouragement.

Thank you for your explanation. It’s very helpful! My reoccurrence was in May. It was only lymph node involvement and they took about 15 lymph nodes….6 had cancer. I am on lexatrole for 10 years and verzenio for 2. I just started both so still getting adjusted. My previous bc was in 2021, almost triple negative..16 rounds of chemo, partial mastectomy (lymph nodes removed), radiation, and then Xeloda for 6 months.

@stephm72, what did you learn? How are you doing?

Hi @stephm72 - rooting for you and hope the meds are tolerable. I started Letrozole in Feb after lumpectomy and radiation for ER+, 57 yrs old. I was wondering if you could share what timeline you were on for mammos, ultrasounds, MRI?? I have very dense breasts and feel very fortunate that my 1.8cm lobular was spotted on a mammo but again wonder if it could have been found earlier had I heeded the "density letter" and asked for supplemental scans.
xoxo perhaps you were scanned every 6 months? xoox