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Updated June 10, 2015.

Definition:

specialized nuclear imaging test that allows doctors to see the metabolic activity of the bone. Bone scans identify areas in the bone that have new growth or an increase in metabolic activity (i.e., arthritis).

See a bone scan video

Bone scans are used to help diagnose cancer of the bone, such as osteosarcoma. It can also help to determine if other types of cancer have spread to the bone, as in breast and prostate cancer.