CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
Does the doctor need to do to tests to be sure if the diagnosis is bone metastases?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Nancy Mckinneyanswered
Hematology and Oncology 21 years experience
Usually: Bone metastases are where cancer from one site (breast, prostate, lung) spreads through the blood and begins to grow in the bone. This can have a characteristic appearance on scans. The way to prove it is cancer is to take a biopsy. However, if cancer has already been diagnosed, bone metastases can be diagnosed by a characteristic bone scan or other radiographic test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Andrew Turrisianswered
Radiation Oncology 49 years experience
Sometimes: In many cases, it is not necessary because there is established progressed cancer and this is another manifestation, but if there is one lesion, no prior record of metastasis, it is quite reasonable to biopsy to prove metastasis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 12, 2016
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