Further tests for primary bone cancer

If the tests show that you, or your child, have bone cancer, the doctor may want to do some further tests to see if the cancer has spread outside the bone. Tests may also be arranged to see how well your kidneys, heart and other organs are working, as these may be affected by any treatment that you have for the cancer. The tests may include any of the following.

Chest x-ray Back To Top

In primary bone cancer the most common place for the cancer to spread to is the lung. A chest x-ray may show whether or not the lungs have been affected.

CT (computerised tomography) scan Back To Top

A CT scan takes a series of x-rays, which builds up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The scan is painless but takes from 10–30 minutes. CT scans use a small amount of radiation, which will be very unlikely to harm you and will not harm anyone you come into contact with. You will be asked not to eat or drink for at least four hours before the scan.

You may be given a drink or injection of a dye that allows particular areas to be seen more clearly. For a few minutes, this may make you feel hot all over. If you are allergic to iodine or have asthma you could have a more serious reaction to the injection, so it is important to let your doctor know beforehand.

You will probably be able to go home as soon as the scan is over.

Having a CT scan

Bone marrow sample Back To Top

This test is only necessary if the type of cancer called Ewing's sarcoma| has been diagnosed or is suspected, as Ewing’s sarcoma may very rarely spread to the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy material inside bones where blood cells are made. Small samples of bone marrow are taken from the hip bone (pelvis) and looked at under a microscope to see if they contain any abnormal cells.

The bone marrow sample may be taken under a local anaesthetic, but for children it is usually done under a general anaesthetic.

A sample of bone marrow is usually taken from the back of the hip bone

PET (positron emission tomography scan) Back To Top

PET scans are a new type of scan and you may have to travel to a specialist centre to have one. They are not always necessary but you can discuss with your doctor whether one would be useful in your case.

A PET scan uses low-dose radioactive sugar to measure the activity of cells in different parts of the body. A very small amount of a mildly radioactive substance is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. A scan is then taken. Areas of cancer are normally more active than surrounding tissue and show up on the scan.

It will probably take several days for the results of your tests to be ready, and this waiting period will obviously be an anxious time for you. It may help if you can find a close friend or relative to talk things over with.

If the tests show that you have osteosarcoma or Ewing’s sarcoma you will have further tests to prepare you for chemotherapy.