Having my 1st MUGA Scan and have questions

smilingdeb

Hi Sisters,

Have any of you had a MUGA Scan? I had a double mastectony on Oct. 7th (cancer was on the left breast) and will be done with my radiation treatment on Monday the day after Christmas. I am schedule for a MUGA Scan on Jan. 9th and all that I know and read is that it is to make sure that the heart is not damage and healthy. Next to radiation I am also having Herceptin once every three week for eight months and taking Anastrozole aka Arimidex. Will this scan also check my left lung for any damages since I am having radiation? If you have had this scan please let me know what to expect. I would really appreciate it.

Lots of hugs,
smilingdeb

lassman

Hi Smilingdeb,

I had a MUGA scan on Friday. It's basically an ultrasound of the heart to make sure it is functioning properly, since Herceptin can weaken it. They will check your "ejection fraction" which tells them how strong your heart muscle is. I have one every three months. As tests go it is a complete doddle (just have to rub lots of sticky goo off your chest afterwards!).

I doubt they will check your lung with this scan.

Hope this is helpful.

Lassman

Outfield

Deb,

Lassman is right that a MUGA is used to assess ejection fraction but mistaken that a MUGA is an ultrasound.  It's a study done in  nuclear medicine, meaning they give a radioactive tracer. There isn't any ultrasound involved.  Ultrasound detects how sound waves bounce back to a probe off things, nuclear medicine tests measure where and when the radiation is present after it is introduced into the body. 

An ultrasound of the heart is an "echocardiogram" or "ECHO" for short.  ECHO and MUGA can both be used to assess ejection fraction.  There are reasons to choose one vs. the other.  

Neither test would assess your lungs for radiation damage. 

This is a really abbreviated answer, I'm simply too tired and it's too late for me to go into more detail.  I apologize.  Someone may be along later to flesh it out, or PM me.