Pet Scans - Potential Bad News Given Sooner, Or Later?

Anonymous

I had my scan last Thursday.

I had a Pet Scan a few years earlier, (2013) after a recurrence in 2012.

On that occasion the nurse told me I was clear so I would not worry.

This time no.. but I wasn't asked to do any further re scans or anything.

Is it good do you think..not to hear yet?

I admit I lack the courage to call the oncologists rooms yet.

I figure rationally, if anything had lit up Id've had a call on Friday.

Then of course neg. Nellie in brain says..

Oh no, they'd want you to enjoy the weekend!

😁

Help..scanZiety is upon me!!😲😊

art15

I would call and get a copy of the PET also. Late last year my wife had a PET/CT after 7 years since her b/c. She has difficult veins for the iv. The first attempt the vein collapsed. OK, retry, this is the glucose iv for those who know about PETs. After it, they said their were some spots that "take-up" which is the term for active cells feeding off the glucose, IN HER OTHER ARMPIT, not her cancer side. We called, Kaiser said no need to worry. We read online there is something called an "artifact" where the solution can remain in the veins, here it could be lymph node spots. She esentially had dbl-dose in that arm, of course she has lymphedema in the other, so no iv. NOW, only 6 mos later she has a lump and swollen lymph nodes (2-3) on that healthy breast side. We got a CD of the PET/CT transfered to Scripps from her doc at the previous Kaiser, but we are wondering if we should have INSISTED on at least US of those spots that lit up. All they did was keep sending us bills, no follow up. PLEASE don't over look anything, hope this helps and all is ok.

Anonymous

I know that when I had my PET my MO called me right away to tell me it was negative. But that was because she knew how worried I was, and I already had + nodes. I also think that if there's something "bad", they usually call sooner because it's better to get started with any treatment. You get moved up in the queue, so to speak. I'm guessing you're probably going to be fine, and there wasn't anything to worry about. Let us know, okay?

Hugs/

Anonymous

Thankyou so much for your kind replies Claire and Art.

I still have not heard..

I did ask for a copy sent to me Art thanks..

That is no good..the way they disregarded the hot spots..goodness!!

My gut feeling is it is ok..but I recently had an early stage melanoma removed from my back..and have been thru bc & 2 recurrences

Cant seem to pick up the phone.

Im frozen till they call.Any luck I'll receive the results in the mail and this will be over.

Kicks

When I had my PET scan, an area 'lit up' along my lower right jaw. I was called the afternoon that the PET was done and the next morning was into an ENT Dr for a biopsy. Had the path report early the next morning - nothing there. It is possible for an area to 'light up' on a PET scan if there is even mild inflammation of any kind in an area - not just on cancer.

In my experiences, IF anything is thought to possibly be an issue, I have been immediately notified and follow-up.

art15

Under Breast Imaging, I "asked an expert"(FREE) about my wife's situation re:(ILC) Invasive Lobular Cancer, fyi- here's the reply and link:

"ILC is a very sneaky form of breast cancer in that it hides within the breast tissue and commonly cannot be seen on traditional or even sophisticated imaging. PET is not designed to evaluate breast tissue either. Breast MRI is commonly used for assessing known ILC to determine its guessimated size. So time now for core biopsy. if you want to bring her our way afterward call 443-997-8282. if we assume cancer, and it does sound like it likely is, she will of course need to undergo treatment once again. when breast cancer occurs over time in both breasts, this can be a signal too of possibly a gene at work."

http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/services/ask_ex...

I'm sure it came out fine, I think it took a week (longer than 48hrs they say for biopsy) PET/CT lights up known conditions like arthiritis, etc, even swollen lymph nodes can be- because you are sick. I'm reading under 1cm lesions are usually not seen on PET scan, correct me if wrong, so they want to be sure and not alarm you as it has to be read by several people, maybe try determine if the technicians aren't done, or it's not been sent to your doc yet, there is a standard chain of files protocol they follow can take some days. We hope all is well !

Anonymous

Thanks for the input Kicks.

Much appreciated.

Anonymous

wow.

Thanks for all the great info Art.

So your wife has the ' sneaky one' too eh?

Astrid.

I so hope it is not a recurrence for her.☺

Anonymous

all clear!

thanks for helping me through guys.

much appreciated.

Astrid.

Art, I have my fingers crossed for your wife.