PET scan results

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jennyboog
jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I had a PET scan a couple weeks ago.  I waited for the results and after several days of waiting I called the dr to get them.  They weren't there yet, I waited a couple more days and called back, still not there.  This went on and on I was starting to get very frustrated so, Friday I went to the hospital and got the report myself.  It says no evidence of disease anywhere but they see a spot on my lung with a SUV of 1.3.  There is no size or measurement of the spot just says area (in medical terms) and it list where on my lung it is.  It says it was not present on previous scan and is a post-radiation change.  I know the scan can show infections/inflammation.  Has anyone else had this happen?

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  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited January 2013

    I have never had a PET scan after treatment so I can't say I've had this experience.  But it seems as if they are not concerned about this spot as the report stated no evidence of disease.  I hope you get answers to soothe you soon.  It must be very, very small. And that is a very small amount of uptake as well. Also, there is only one spot.  I have read that there are usually more than just one spot if breast cancer goes to the lungs or that it shows up as a diffused area sort of thing. That must have been very frustrating to have had to wait around for results soo long that you ended up seeking them yourself.  Do these bozo doctors not understand how stressful these type of tests are for us?  I am sorry that you read these results without having a doctor there to tell you what they mean and if you need to be concerned, and why there is some what of a confusing conflict on the report.  Perhaps this spot's diagnosis IS a post radiation spot and that is why they also said no evidence of disease!  I hope this stress gets resolved soon for you.  This is just not fair and it sucks! 

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited January 2013

    Yes,,I had something on my lungs prior to starting treatment... They said it was nothing..If it was something they know...they know what to look for and would deem it suspicious... Sorry you had to go through that!

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  • mamabee
    mamabee Member Posts: 546
    edited January 2013

    I remember reading once the threshold for SUV being cancer - this article says it has to be >2.5.

    http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-interpret-my-pet-scan-results.htm

    That's why they say you're NED - congrats! 

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2013

    Jenny, I don't know, but if they say it is rad-induced, they probably mean that it is scar tissue. I know that for my bone scan (the one looking for cancer) they always ask very carefully about any and all past injuries to the bone.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited January 2013

    Thanks everyone.  I'm happy to be NED but its very concerning knowing you had uptake in your lungs.  I had a previous area in the lungs that showed up on an xray so, I was curious could this be the same lesion or is it new.  Hopefully, the dr will have more insight when I see her next month.  Sometimes we just need a little reassurance, you know :) 

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited January 2013

    Hi Honey. This is absolutely thing to be concerned about. Post radiation changes are inevitable when we as stage III gals get hit with Rads. The appearance of thees Post rad chages are very clear as just that and not  " Bad " lesions. I have it too, and while initailly not too happy about it, the reality is, it doesn't impact lung function and it kicked the H*ll out of my agrressive dx.

    So Happy you're NED, enjoy!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2013

    Hey Jennyboog:  I had 33 rads to the right side, and each time I get a chest CT or x-ray now, a ragged, diffused area shows up.  The doc has never addressed it to me directly, but the radiologist reports it is most likely scar tissue.  They will watch it to see if it changes or grows in size -- just pray & hope it stays stable. 

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2014

    Hi, Jenny. I have never had any post treatment scans so I cannot speak intelligently or with any experience about them, but I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and I'm thinking it is likely scar tissue or an infection of some kind. The people reading these scans are very experienced knowing cancer when they see it.

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  • jennyboog
    jennyboog Member Posts: 1,322
    edited January 2013

    Thanks again ladies for your input...I knew ya'll would understand :)  I like my dr (although I was a bit upset with getting the results with this test) and I like that she is doing TM's and scan's regularly but it sure does add alot of stress to your life; especially when things show up you didn't know was there.  But then when you get the NED it adds reassurance to those "pesty" questions about aches/pains you do have.  I don't think there is no perfect solutions...to scan or not to scan that is the question :)

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