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Lani · 10-26-2009, 12:32 AM

Rich I don't think Chelee mentioned anywhere where in her femur her met is/where her bone is weak.

The treatment of a femoral head met can be different than a femoral neck met which can be different than an intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric met.

University teaching hospitals usually have orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in orthopaedic oncology--and there are FAR more metastatic bone tumors than primary bone tumors.

Since MRIs show soft tissue and marrow better than CTs and CTs show bony details better than soft tissue and marrow, it is possible that they may want to supplement the MRI with other studies (unless the CT done with the PET/CT and MRI together show enough to convince them of the right course to take).

As I understand it, since the advent of bisphosphonates there are a lot less impending fractures for orthopaedic surgeons to fix before they break.

Let's hope Chelee's HMO will let her see an orthopaedic surgeon with some expertise in which of these mets needs surgery and what type is best.

Best of luck Chelee!

10-26-2009, 12:32 AM	#14
Lani Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,783	Re: I need hip surgery which STOPS my chemo! Rich I don't think Chelee mentioned anywhere where in her femur her met is/where her bone is weak. The treatment of a femoral head met can be different than a femoral neck met which can be different than an intertrochanteric or subtrochanteric met. University teaching hospitals usually have orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in orthopaedic oncology--and there are FAR more metastatic bone tumors than primary bone tumors. Since MRIs show soft tissue and marrow better than CTs and CTs show bony details better than soft tissue and marrow, it is possible that they may want to supplement the MRI with other studies (unless the CT done with the PET/CT and MRI together show enough to convince them of the right course to take). As I understand it, since the advent of bisphosphonates there are a lot less impending fractures for orthopaedic surgeons to fix before they break. Let's hope Chelee's HMO will let her see an orthopaedic surgeon with some expertise in which of these mets needs surgery and what type is best. Best of luck Chelee!