Does a PET scan and bone scan order mean I have stage 4 cancer?

These scans help doctors get a complete picture of what's happening in the body, and they're ordered for various reasons - not just to check for advanced cancer stages. While waiting for answers can feel overwhelming, these imaging tests are valuable tools that give your medical team the detailed information they need to create the best treatment plan for your specific situation.

My Dr ordered my dexa test. It showed I have osteopenia in my hips. Could be the drug or my age or a combo of both. No cancer.

Thanks the wait is so terrifying😔

I had a PET scan after double mastectomy and right before chemo. Showed that all cancer was removed. I got a dexa scan after chemo and radiation were finished to get a baseline. I think both tests ate pretty standard with all diagnoses.

Bone scans to look for mets are NOT the same as a DEXA scan for osteoporosis/penia

They are 2 different scans. The PET scan is a tool for detecting all tumors including bone tumors. This scan measures cells with high metabolism so you can get false positives if there is inflammation but it’s a first step to diagnosis. I’m not sure what you mean by “bone scan” - a DEXA scan for bone density or an MRI to detect tumors/fractures in bones?

I do not believe it means that your stage 4. My understanding is that the PET scan is for the whole body to see if there's anything suspicious. Insurance companies don't pay for it easily you have to jump through hoops, what else is new. I'm mostly doing holistic treatment. But mine is stage one and stage zero. I'm reading a book from Dr Jen Simmons MD, an ex breast cancer surgeon! I think it's important that we educate ourselves and not just tow the line of the doctors and surgeons who make a lot of money from cancer. They only know one thing and that surgery and all the pills and all the poisons. And there is a time and a place for those things I guess... But I want to rebuild my cellular foundation and so I'm doing those things. There's a test called nutritional genome with DNA and it tells you everything you need to know about your DNA, what's your susceptible to how to eat and exercise and supplement for your exact body DNA. Do what's right for you, and keeping the nervous system is calm as possible can really make a difference in the stress factor and inflammation factor which triggers disease.

Hi my name is Mary and I’ve been going through this hell now for almost 13 yrs. I’ve been getting Pet-Scans and tumor markers done since I’ve started this horrible journey. When I was first diagnosed I had stage 4 breast cancer cause it spread to my lymph nodes. 17 to be exact. 5 of them were maglient and had to go. So of course I ended up with lymphedema. I did have a lymph node transplant. The only thing it did was to help my fingers so I can where my wedding band. Otherwise I too wear a compassion sleeve. Ain’t easy! Now I’m back in chemo for the second time cause my markers went flying. From the breast cancer I was in remission for 8 years. 5 yrs ago I had a pet-scan done and T7 on my spine lit up. So it spread to my back and I have bone cancer. The pain was unbelievable I couldn’t move. Now I’m on my 5th week infusion and I have no more pain just an ache when I’m on my feet too long. But as u know u push on and do the best u can . I guess the important thing is to try to live each day the best u can. As my husband says “one day at a time” but unfortunately as u also know that doesn’t always work particularly when u know it’s test time or blood work to be done. At least one thing for sure u don’t feel alone cause we all share something in common which makes it a lot easier. Anytime u want to talk or write I’m here. My name is Mary. Happy&Healthy,safe New Year!

Oh no Mary 😢😢😢im so so sorry to hear this cancer stuff is so traumatic mental physical.😢😢😢I haven't even started my journey 😢 just know i have breast cancer i don't even no my stage our what my treatment would be.. Until after surgery🙏🙏🙏..

Hi when are you having surgery? I did a double mastectomy so I would not have to go back into surgery if something popped up on the other side. I also chose not to have implants so I’m completely flat chested. What a blessing! The ironic thing is 5 yrs before I had a breast reduction and a tummy duc. Anyway keep me posted on how ur surgery goes. It’s not going to be as bad as u think it is. It usually gets bad when u’re dealing with stomach muscles. A Happy,Healthy and safe New Year! I’m hear if u need to vent! Mary

Hi Mary my surgery is on the 31 of December..after surgery it affects your stomach muscle.?

No I’m sure by now u’ve had surgery. How are you doing? The stomach muscles are only involved when u’re usual dealing with the stomach. But I remember when I had my surgery everything hurt. My as my Mom would say “this to will pass!” It’s a horrible way to live but somehow u become thankful u can get up in the morning. I live in Fl. and my husband and I are trying to move. I’m moving to Naples hopefully within the next month. But it just seems whenever u take a step forward u take to steps back. I had my pet-scan done yesterday and go for tumor markers and my 5 th infusion. Anyway if u have any ?s and need to vent I’m here. Be well and feel better let me know how u’re doing. Mary

My surgery is on the 31..it seems like they are moving so slow with me im thinking are they waiting for it to spread

Why do u think that way? U know ur mind can be very dangerous sometimes believe me I know the thoughts that u think about are meaningful but sometimes ridiculous. Unfortunately u can’t but go to sleep with it and wake up with it and wonder when and where the next tumor is going to happen? But the way the 31st of what month? Now? Again please let me know how u’re doing and if u just want to vent im here. Good luck to u if surgery is in a couple of days. Where do u live? I’m here Fl. Mary

The bone density is tested because the treatments for the cancer can effect bone density. That is my understanding after having breast cancer in 2015.

I have only had a bone density done only once. My main tests are pet-scan every 3 or 4 mons., blood work done now to check tumor markers every 3 weeks cause I’m back in chemo and for my kidney Dr. an ultrasound every 6 mons. I think that’s enough! Any other ?s just ask. Mary Happy, Healthy and safe New Year

My Doc just ordered a full body bone skin with radioactive isotope....what?? So I asked the technician what the side effects of this are and he said that it's less than an x-ray, they're injecting this radioactive isotope into my body...??? And there's no side effects, have to tell you guys I just don't trust the medical industry. So I told them I was going to do some research and I'd call back to confirm a decline the scan. It's for bone only I do have osteoporosis so it's probably not a bad idea. Anybody have any experience with this? It's all so stressful. And I'm doing a lot of emotional release work because it's coming up. All the fans for my trauma history that have impacted others like my son primarily. Anybody know what I'm talking about?

Joni, I don’t understand - you are on a breast cancer site so assume that you have cancer or your doctor is suspecting cancer? They are trying to help you by detecting cancer with a tiny bit of radioactive tracer that is rapidly excreted and has been proven safe by clinical studies. Why would you turn that down? If they can’t find the cancer with this sensitive method then you can wait for the tumors(s) to get bigger and they can use less sensitive methods but by that time it will be more difficult to treat.

Gm everyone....Mary Z my surgery is Wednesday this month 🙏🙏🙏

Trina, how do u not know the stage and diagnosis?? Didn't u hv some diagnostics done?

I just needed to do a little research on it. You have to understand the cancer is big business. And the doctor's only know what they know. I had a lumpyectomy on both breasts, with stage 1 cartoon negative, and the other breast was stage zero DCIS. And after reading a book by an ex breast cancer surgeon I come to find out the truth about DCIS, they make it seem more dangerous than it is. And also this ex female breast cancer surgeon said that with the DCIS diagnosis the clusters of calcium by taking them out you cause heart disease issues. So I'm just reading different alternatives because I'm non-medical if I can. I don't want to do things to my body that don't need to be done. I would think I will get the scan cuz it'll be good to know but even if I did have serious bone cancer, I wouldn't do all the treatments. I was just carry on with my life until it's over. And my integrative medical doctor said to me today if you're not going to do any treatments to treat serious cancer why get the test? But I may want to know. And after that prednisone incident I'm still shaky and irritable and my body's a mess so I don't want to impose on my body anymore hardship. I understand that people might not understand that. I've had a lot of pain this life and I've lived with a spinal injury since I was 16 and it's rendered me immobile at certain points in time. So I'm pretty good with the quotient of physical pain I've endured.

Joni m yes I had all those test done onecologist said stage 1b surgeon said pro stage 2or 3...i told the onecologist he now saying naw probably stage 2..now they both saying I have to wait until after the surgery 🙄..im so confused

Ladies, you are in a challenging place - I was in that place on Sept 2 when all my bones lit up like a Christmas tree on a PET scan. My cancer antigens were over 1,000 yet 4 months later they aggressively decreased to 235 so I’m feeling blessed. There is a lot of good science behind the treatments so be hopeful! Give doctors a chance, each tumor and patient is different and there’s no set rule. Hugs to you all!

Trina, u getting lumpectomy? And actually doesn't make sense they did a biopsy right? The biopsy should give you the whole report...hummmm?

So what do you make of that Anna that huge discrepancy? Faulty tests? Miraculous healing? I don't understand so the pet scan measures cancer antigens? I don't even know what antigens are but they're not cancer apparently?