Pet scan after all treatment anyone?

Options
jabal
jabal Member Posts: 79
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Hi,

I finished my radiation after a lumpectomy and sentinal node removal.  My risk of reoccurance was so low on my onc score that chemo was not needed.  Here is my question for you.....my oncologist said to come back in September for my first mammo after radiation.  So, I am ok with that of course but I asked for a Pet scan at that time because they only took one node but it was positive.  He said (Kaiser) that they don't do Pet scans unless I have symptoms of cancer.  Ok.....so Kaiser is all about prevention (or so they say) and because the node was positive I want to get a pet scan to see if anymore lerking out there.  Is that too much to ask?  I know the test is expensive but if I end up with cancer down the road when a test could have detected it earlier wouldn't it cost them more in the long run?  I was thinking of hitting him up again and if he says no asking if a "group" of doctors there could talk to see if they might change their minds.  Let me know if anyone has dealt with this before...thanks ladies

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited July 2013

    I've not had a PET scan at all. I finished tx feb 2011 and my onc told me that if I have any symptoms she will order a CT scan. At diagnosis she didn't think a Pet was necessary only if my CT's showed something suspicious , even told me sometimes a CT was more reliable. Anyway, I get treated at sloan-kettering. I have read medical records of Pet scans that show some suspicion of bone mets but when the bone scan was ordered it turned out to be negative -"degenerative changes" or whatnot.

    Hope that helps...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited July 2013

    jabal - I think it has to do with insurance and the fact you have an early stage cancer. I asked my ONC why they didnt do tumor markers and was told there was no reason to. If she suspects anything she will certainly do a scan but so far the blood tests and mammograms are fine. Just so you know I had a micromet in the SN discovered after my lumpectomy and 33 RADS treatments. I am not going to worry until she does. diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 2,221
    edited July 2013

    Just pay close attention to your own body. Keep a log of symptoms if you have too. Each MO visit I discuss all of mine and the MO decides if any are worth looking further into.



    Last visit she did order a PT/CT scan. But this is only because I also had prior surgery on my neck and have arthritis in my lower back. Symptoms/pain presented similar to bone mets. Came back all clear! Glad though I did not try and diagnose myself or write it off. Otherwise, MO is not one for scans, blood tests, etc.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • babs6287
    babs6287 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited July 2013

    My MO also says she will not order a Pet or CT scan unless I have symptoms-that's the new protocol.  I just get blood tests.  I did have both a PET and a CT scan prior to my UMX so they could make sure that the cancer hadn't spread anywhere else.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jabal
    jabal Member Posts: 79
    edited July 2013

    thanks for your replys.  What is the difference between a CT and Pet scan for detecting cancer?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BayouBabe
    BayouBabe Member Posts: 2,221
    edited July 2013

    Not sure. I do know my MO ran the CT because I already had the crap in my system from the PET. Two for one! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • naiviv
    naiviv Member Posts: 535
    edited July 2013

    I am newly diagnosed and just meeting my team . Chem dr said he was ordering a PET scan.

    So far I know from core biopsy and MRI, I have IDC 1cm, 1 node is positive and ER +, PR+ and HER2 3+.

    Maybe it depends on the makeup of what the test results reveal? I just know its something else to worry about, until it's done... Then waiting for results .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories