Is there a link between Anklosing Spondylitis and Cancer? Can the symptoms for AS be similar to bone cancer?

A close friend is waiting on results of an MRI scan which is going to take a long time, and although doctors believe she has spondylitis (not full blown ankylosing spondylitis, an offshoot of it) I think she is worried it may be bone cancer... Can anyone tell me if these 2 illnesses are obviously different or if the doctors are perhaps predicting the lesser of 2 evils so as not to worry her in the meantime?

Public Comments

1. Ankylosing Spondylitis is where the cushions or discs in the intercostal spaces of the spine, lose their sponginess and become hard and rigid. It may further degenerate and the discs simply crumble away. If that happens, an operation is performed to fuse the bones together permanently. It is a very painful illness, resulting in rigidness and stiffness when moving. It is unlikely to be bone cancer, as cancer in the bones as a primary illness is very very rare. More often than not, bone cancers are the result of other cancers in other organs of the body spreading (Metastasising) to the bones. The most likely of these cancers is Lung, prostate and kidney.
2. Although they sound similar, they are different. Spondylitis indicates inflammation of the vertebrae. It is a term relating to "wear and tear" and is more common in older people. Ankylosing means fusing together and relates to an inflammatory condition which produces new bone and leads to fusion. The vigorous exercise therapy designed for people with AS might be harmful to those suffering from spondylosis. There is no proven link between cancer and AS. I add a link with a brief detail of this. With regard to your statement that the results of the MRI will take a long time, there is no valid reason for the delay except an administrative one. For example, the diagnosing radiologist being unavailable. Which begs the question, what happens to the diagnosis and report in an emergency MRI? http://www.nature.com/ ncprheum/journal/v2/n12/ full/ncprheum0325.html I add a link for AS, http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/ fact_sheets/html/ankylosing_ Spondylitis.html And one for Spondylitis http://wiki.answers.com/ Q/What_is_spondylitis Hope this helps matador 89