Failing to take X-rays is a huge misdiagnosis! Spinal tumor metastasis kills people

Don’t let your health and life be “eaten” by an X-ray! Recently, a professional orthopedic clinic discovered that many patients suffered from unknown severe pain and had no improvement after months of folk massage or drug treatment. They were not even able to wait for an X-ray in other hospitals, and were misdiagnosed for a time. The patient was later transferred to a professional orthopedic clinic for treatment. After detailed consultation and X-ray examination, suspicious points were discovered, and further MRI examination was performed to confirm that the patient had terminal cancer and the tumor had metastasized to the spine, even the thoracic spine and ribs. At this time, it had already It is too late; what is even more regrettable is that the patient is gradually heading towards terminal cancer and his life is not guaranteed. (Video/photographer Huang Zhiwen) Tumors are easy to metastasize to the bones of the human trunk, mainly because these parts have rich blood flow, which allows cancer cells to easily accumulate there. (Photography/Huang Zhiwen)

A 54-year-old woman accidentally twisted her waist while carrying luggage abroad this year. She suffered back pain and went to the medical center for treatment. She was diagnosed with a compression fracture, but continued treatment had no effect. The condition has been delayed for 3 months. Later, he went to a professional orthopedic clinic for consultation. Orthopedic surgeon Cai Wenji said that an X-ray examination found that the patient's fracture occurred at the 10th thoracic vertebra. This position is high and supported by ribs next to it. It should not be a general compression fracture, and generally compression fractures are good. It occurred at the 12th thoracic vertebra and the 1st lumbar vertebra, so it was determined to be a pathological fracture. Sure enough, after MRI examination, it was found that the tumor had metastasized to the 10th thoracic vertebra, and also to the 5th thoracic vertebra, and had compressed the nerves.

Tumor metastases to bones are mostly found in terminal cancer

Orthopedic surgeon Cai Wenji said that the Department of Health recently announced the top ten causes of death in China in 2019, and the results ranked among the top three. The most famous cancers are lung cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer. The fourth and number one cancer among women is breast cancer, which is very scary and may metastasize to the bones, so you need to pay special attention to it. According to medical literature, more than 1/5 of cancers are not initially found to originate, but metastasize to the spine. Common metastasis sites include the spine, pelvis, the proximal femoral trochanter at the top of the thighbone, and the ribs. , are common sites of tumor metastasis.

Basically, tumors are easy to metastasize to the bones of the human body, mainly the trunk, because the blood flow in these parts is rich, which allows cancer cells to easily accumulate through these areas, which meets the conditions for the survival of cancer cells. For adults, 80% to 90% of cancers metastasize to bone-related parts. According to the literature, the rate of metastasis to bones in people with confirmed malignant tumors is 30% to 70%; however, recent updated literature shows that deaths due to malignant tumors After detailed examination of the body parts, 90% of those who died had bone metastases, which should not be ignored. Orthopedic surgeon Cai Wenji said that in the past three months, there have been 6 unfortunate cases of spinal tumor metastasis found in outpatient clinics, an increase of 4 times compared with the same period last year. He called on frontline doctors to be cautious and take an X-ray to make a preliminary diagnosis. Clues emerge. (Photography/Huang Zhiwen)

The regret of misdiagnosis without X-ray can be avoided

Orthopedic surgeon Cai Wenji said that in the past three months, 6 cases were discovered in the outpatient clinic, all of which were unfortunate cases of spinal tumor metastasis. , an increase of 4 times compared with the same period last year. If frontline doctors can be careful and take an X-ray, they can initially see the clues. What is puzzling and regrettable is that some patients with spinal tumor metastasis admitted to the hospital, No X-rays were taken before, and the misjudgment and misdiagnosis were obvious, which also delayed the patient's condition, resulting in the loss of precious lives as there was no time for treatment. Specialists have undergone strict training and certainly know when to order examinations. However, the National Health Insurance Bureau’s unreasonable deletion of X-ray examinations often makes many front-line doctors dare not order examinations even when they still suspect there is a problem in diagnosis. This should be the main reason for such mistakes. Overcorrection is the main cause of tragedy.

With early detection and early treatment of cancer, everyone now has a chance of survival! Dr. Cai Wenji once again reminded that patients should remain highly vigilant. If they go to the hospital for treatment under the following conditions, they should ask the doctor to take an X-ray to protect themselves. From the X-ray, you can clearly observe the "owl's eye" image to whether there are pathological tumor problems. Normally, the vertebrae of the spine look like two eyes on the left and right sides. However, if the circle is missing, blurred and white, and one of the eyes cannot be seen, it is obviously a suspicion of tumor metastasis.

Situations when X-ray should be taken:

1. When a fracture is suspected.

2. Suspected joint dislocation.

3. When bone or joint infection may occur.

4. Suspected joint diseases such as degenerative arthritis, or autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Diagnose and monitor the progression of scoliosis.

6. The pain still does not improve after treatment.

7. Patients over 65 years old.

8. The examination results can let the doctor know to change the treatment method or help guide the prognosis.

Situations when X-ray should not be taken:

1. Women who are pregnant or preparing to become pregnant.

2. Injury to ligaments or muscle tissue.