Meena Devi Meena Devi Asked 7 months ago

Does dexa scan show bone cancer?

My elder sister recently had a DEXA scan for her bones. We're all a bit worried about what it can detect. Can a DEXA scan also show if someone has bone cancer?

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6 answers

Nikhil Varma Nikhil Varma Joined Feb 2026 7 months ago
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From what I've researched, a DEXA scan is primarily designed to measure bone mineral density to check for osteoporosis. It isn't the primary tool used to detect or diagnose bone cancer. If a doctor suspects bone cancer, they usually order specialized imaging like X-rays, MRI, or bone scans.

Usha Devi Usha Devi Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I tried all kinds of herbal oils and calcium-rich home foods when my knees started aching, but eventually, I had to see a specialist. A DEXA scan only tells you how strong or weak your bones are. For anything serious like tumors, please don't rely on basic density scans; let your doctor guide you on the right tests.

Rajesh Kumar Rajesh Kumar Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Dekho, let's keep it simple. DEXA scan bone density measure karne ke liye hota hai, cancer detect karne ke liye nahi. Agar aisi koi tension hai toh seedha oncologist ya general physician se milo, woh CT scan ya biopsy likhenge. Faltu mein internet par padh ke stress mat lo.

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Consult a orthopedist

Shreya Hegde Shreya Hegde Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

As someone managing PCOS, I know how scary it is to go through endless medical tests. But a DEXA scan is just a low-dose X-ray for checking bone thinning. If you are worried about bone cancer due to pain or other symptoms, please talk to a specialist who can run the correct diagnostic tests.

Baldev Singh Baldev Singh Joined May 2026 5 months ago

I had a DEXA scan last year because of my age and joint pain, and it only showed mild osteopenia. My doctor explained that this scan is just to see bone strength, not for finding tumors. Don't let fear take over; speak to a good doctor and they will clear your doubts.

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Mini Nair Mini Nair Joined Jul 2026 4 months ago

No, a DEXA scan is not used to diagnose bone cancer. It is specifically meant to evaluate bone loss and fracture risk. If there are red flags like persistent bone pain or unexplained swelling, a doctor will recommend target-specific scans like an MRI or PET scan. Always follow your physician's advice.

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