PET scan?

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bethq
bethq Member Posts: 311
edited November 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Haven't been here in a while! I have had swollen lymph nodes in my groin since June. Couple this with low back pain (for a year) and continued weight loss and I am a little concerned. My oncologist wants me to come in and possibly biopsy the nodes. I want a PET scan. He does not like to do these because of the potential for false positives, etc. I get this but I really would much rather have a scan than another biopsy. Do some oncologists just let us have PET scans?

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  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited November 2014

    sorry you are going through this.  And yes I think it depends on the oncologist.  I had a pet/ct when I was diagnosed right after my lumpectomy, but that was because I had one lymph node involved.  You could always insist and tell your onc this would give you peace of mind.

    Nancy

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited November 2014

    If I had your symptoms and told my onc, I'd be scheduled for a pet/ct asap.  But, I'm stage IV, so maybe that's the difference? 

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2014

    I think I will. I know the biopsy isn't a big deal but after everything (botched biopsies and mastectomy) I just don't want to be cut again. 

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2014

    Winningsofar I know that's what my oncologist is thinking. At the end of his email he mentioned (again) that my chance of recurrence is very low. But I'm not thinking recurrence I am thinking metastasis. Is it too soon for this to happen? My SNL was negative.

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited November 2014

    When it comes to metastasis, I wouldn't assume anything.  My SNL (twice) were negative, and I still have mets to my bones.  

    Perhaps your insurance company doesn't want to pay for a pet scan?  Have you talked to your onc?  Maybe once you heard his reasons, you'd be more comfortable with a biopsy.  Even if the pet scan showed something lit up, I suppose he'd still want to do a biopsy. 

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2014

    I emailed him and he emailed back and wants me to set up appt tomorrow. Said he doesn't just hand out PET scans because if nodes are swollen for whatever reason they will light up and may cause undo worry. I would just feel better with one and then I will promise him I will keep quiet for a while. 

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  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited November 2014

    Sounds like you are on top of it, beth.  Tomorrow will bring more info. 

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  • bethq
    bethq Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2014

    So no PET scan. Biopsy and thyroid testing.

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