Why Would A Bone Scan Be Required When A Biopsy Prove To Be Cancer Free?

Posted on Thu, 5 Apr 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 5 Apr 2018 Answered on

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband has a PSI level of 12 and was as high as 14 but they say no Cancer after doing a biopsy? Now they say they want do a bone scan what could be his problem??

Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
High PSA and bone scan

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

A bone scan uses bone metabolism to assess any bone pathologies like osteoporosis, infection, cancer etc. In patients with high PSA, bn scan is usually done if a biopsy is positive for cancer.

In such cases, a bone scan will help rule out the presence of cancer metastasis. Doing bone scan in patients with negative biopsy is not very common. However, since the PSA level is markedly, his doctor must have decided upon a bone scan to be on the safe side. Otherwise, depending on any other symptoms he is experiencing, the bone scan must have been decided to rule out any other bone problems.

Please discuss the reason for deciding upon bone scan with his physician.

Hope I was of help to you.

Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D