Pet scan prior to chemo?

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Paddymom
Paddymom Member Posts: 29
edited February 2015 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I am new to this whole thing. Received diagnosis of IDC and met with onc to discuss chemo prior to surgery. She has scheduled a pet scan for next week and I am not sure I want to have this done. My thinking is that having this procedure will only make me freak out about the possibility of a stage IV diagnosis at a time when I most need to be positive about my treatment plan

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited February 2015

    Not all onc's order pet scans prior to chemo or surgery, so you might want to discuss with yours the reasons for doing it.  It may just be your onc's routine, it may be really necessary. 

    Treatment plans can differ based on staging. You want the best plan for your condition, so you need all the info you can get.

    Good luck to you.

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  • VegasNurse
    VegasNurse Member Posts: 36
    edited February 2015

    not only as a nurse, but as a stage four bc with bone mets, I think it wise for the docs to get a complete picture of your disease. It's better to be aware to make informed decisions. I know how scary this is, but it's scarier not knowing what is going on

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited February 2015

    I don't mean to come across as unsupportive or lacking empathy, but I think the 'freaking out' is going to happen anyway. There are so many women who actually have to fight for scans and their MO won't order them without symptoms. For me, my MO ordered one pre-chemo (doing it next Wed) and although I am a little nervous about finding out more than I want to know...I'm a little reassured about knowing the extent of my disease. Plus, if there are mets, it might change the treatment plan. Just something to consider...


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  • LRM216
    LRM216 Member Posts: 2,115
    edited February 2015

    While it may be anxiety producing to have it, I think your onc is wise to do it and I think you will be greatly relieved once it is over. I was stage 1, grade 3 triple negative IDC 1.2 cm nodule, but my onc also made me do a PET (insurance company refused to pay but did allow me to have a full body CT instead), a full bone scan and an echocardiogram in prep for the AC & T chemo she scheduled and a breast MRI. It all made me terribly nervous, but six years out, I am glad that she did all that. At least, for what it's worth, I knew nothing was hiding someplace else. This is her normal procedure and now, looking back, I am thankful she was on top of everything. I wish you all the best as you begin your journey. You will always find the best of support on this site, and will never have to go through anything alone.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited February 2015

    I do not understand why you would not want scans/tests that can give your Dr the best possible information to give you the most appropriate TX. TX plans vary depending on what is going on in entire body, not just the breast. If there should be mets (metastis), then knowing sooner is better than later in fighting them. If there are none, then nothing to worry about.

    Even IF an area 'lights' up on a PET that does not automatically mean there is a met there but needs to be checked out. It will pick up on any infammation which can then be biopsied to verify rather or not there is anything to worry about.

    Be happy your Dr is wanting to be able to have the best info for your TX.

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