Confusing PET Scan results

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Hbollinger
Hbollinger Member Posts: 10
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned


Hello, I was dx in Aug 13' with stage IIb.  I had chemo that ended in Feb, than a double mastectomy the first part of march.   I went last week for a follow up PET scan and got the results this morning.   The radiologist noted that there was a small amount of scar tissue on a couple of my back bones and there could have been a small amount of cancer there.   However, when I was dx I had a PET scan and bone scan - none of which showed cancer on any of my bones.   I am confused and scared.  My onc wants me to go for another PET scan in 3 months to see if there has been any changes.  

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited April 2014

    I'm sorry this is happening to you.It's so hard to face after just getting through surgery and chemo. It's very good, however, that your doctor is being aggressive in your follow-up screenings.  The decision to wait for three months to scan again sounds like he thinks it's probably ok, but wants to make sure by checking that there are no changes in a few months. It sounds very cautious and reasonable to me, but waiting is so hard, I know.  He may even want an MRI, which is a good tool for looking at the spine.

       If it turns out that cancer is found in a couple of spots in your bones, they will treat it and you may be able to knock it out completely because it has been found while it's still tiny.  Try not to panic, and also know that

    some of us have extensive bone mets and live very normal lives, and expect to be around a good long time with all of the treatments available.  Good luck and hugs to you.  It sounds like you are in good hands.

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited April 2014

    Hbollinger, without knowing your specific stats... if you had perfectly clear scans in 2013, it seems unlikely what was noted by the current radiologist is anything significant.  Even his or her language -- "... there could have been a small amount..." (???)  -- sounds extremely vague, especially when two different scans didn't show anything there less than a year ago.

    Unfortunately, radiology isn't always black & white.  There's a lot of room for interpretation.  In this case, it sounds like the newest reading was outweighed by two fairly recent ones, and since you've had chemo after those scans, I wouldn't put a lot of stock in this vague finding.  Waiting 3 mos. and rescanning sounds like a very reasonable plan, but if you are going to worry excessively about it during that 3 mos., one thing you might consider doing is having a different radiologist/institution re-read all three scans -- just to reassure you that nothing was missed earlier, and to see if they also see the scar tissue, and what they say about it.  Just an idea...   (((Hugs)))  Deanna

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  • Hbollinger
    Hbollinger Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2014

    thank you both for the encouraging words.  Yes, both scans i had in the fall of 13' were completely clear. I started chemo less than a week after those two scans and the tumors responded well so there was no reason to think cancer could have spread during that time.  I did ask my doctor if the scar tissue could be anything else and he said he had also asked the radiologist that.  The radiologist couldn't come up with another possibility.  So it doesn't really make sense.  I refuse to stress about it.  If anything this gives me more motivation to just enjoy life and life everyday to the fullest.   Oddly i hope the three months goes by slowly and i will try to keep cancer out of my mind for that time frame.  

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  • Hbollinger
    Hbollinger Member Posts: 10
    edited May 2014

    Also, i am only 35.  I have a 5 year old, 15 month old, and wonderful husband.  I have to much to live for and want to be around to raise my children.  

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  • Hope40
    Hope40 Member Posts: 26
    edited May 2014


    HBollinger,

    I too have had similar confussing results.  My doctor told me the same thing, that they would follow up in about six months with another PET scan.  The radiologist noted a couple small nodules in my lungs, even though they are tiny.  It is so hard not to let our minds wander to that dark place.  I think we are so ready to believe the worst that we disreguard that other things that could be very normal changes to our bodies because of treatments, surgeries, radiation and age.  I am so relieved to have found this site and the wonderful support and peace of mind that it brings when we really need to hear things from people who have been there and done that.  Wishing you the best of luck, hang in there.

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