How is bone cancer diagnosed?
• A: To diagnose bone cancer, the doctor asks about the patient’s personal and family medical history and does a complete medical exam. Often a doctor will order a blood test to determine the level of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. A large amount of alkaline phosphatase can be found in the blood when the cells that form bone tissue are very active. Many conditions can raise alkaline phosphatase levels, so this test is not a reliable indicator of bone cancer. Typically, the doctor will first order a nuclear medicine whole-body bone scan because of its ability to detect metastatic bone lesions. An X-ray may also be ordered to confirm the results of the bone scan. Special imaging tests, such as a computed tomography scan (CT) or a magnetic resonance image (MRI), are often used to locate the bone tumor and show its size, shape or if the bone has been worn away. Once the tests suggest a tumor or eroding of the bone, the removal of a sample of tissue from the bone tumor is often need
A. To diagnose bone cancer, the doctor asks about the patient’s personal and family medical history and does a complete medical exam. The doctor may suggest a blood test, since some bone tumors can be associated with increased levels of certain proteins in the blood. X-rays can show the location, size, and shape of a bone tumor. If x-rays suggest that a tumor may be cancer, the doctor may recommend special imaging tests such as a bone scan, a CT (or CAT) scan, an MRI, or an angiogram. However, a biopsy—the removal of a sample of tissue from the bone tumor—is needed to determine whether cancer is present. The surgeon may perform a needle biopsy or an incisional biopsy. During a needle biopsy, the surgeon makes a small hole in the bone and removes a sample of tissue from the tumor with a needle-like instrument. In an incisional biopsy, the surgeon cuts into the tumor and removes a sample of tissue. Biopsies are best done by orthopedic oncologists – doctors experienced in the diagnosis of
