My Fathers PET scan Update

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Jason1111
Jason1111 Member Posts: 64
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Well, My Father had a radical nex dissection back in June, and then went for 35 radiation treatments with Chemo. It has been 10 weeks since his last radiation treatment, and time for the "After Treatment Scan" if you will. He had his scan this past Tuesday, and finally received the results last night. So far, it didn't GLOW at all except for a very miniscule spot in front of his right ear. The Doc. thinks its just a possible ear infection, ao simply scar tissue from the surgery, being that it was soo intense. Has anybody else had anything show up on a PET scan, but it be something else other than Cancer? I hop the Doc is correct in saying that its just scar tissue. My Fathers' spirits definately rose once he had the good news. i just pray that it never comes back.

Take Care
Jason

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  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #2
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    After Treatment Scan
    Jason,

    I received your private message and I was going to reply with a private reply as well, but I thought it might be just as well to post on the open board for others to read.

    I would say, yes to your question about having areas light up on the first Scan and not being a serious situation. I mention this and maybe some others will conform what I say. I and many others are firm believers that a scan should not be done any sooner then 3 months out from the last treatment. Mainly because the Radiation and Chemo remain in our system for a period of time.

    We go thru a time frame of what we call " Cooking" for 4-8 weeks after the last treatment because the treatments are accumlative, so it takes some time for the radiation to leave. I know I did not get a Cat Scan until after the 3 month mark. I received a Pet Scan almost at the 1 year mark. I am glad to hear that your Dad's Doctor feels it is only scar tissue. It is wonderful to hear the good news.

    My Best to You, Your Dad and Everyone Here
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
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    Hi Jason
    I am so very glad to hear that your Dad is doing so well and that the scans came back so good. As with a lot of us, like me I almost always light up something on those scan and it’s been that way for the past 6 years. A lot of times it is just inflammation or some little infection or scar tissue from the treatment. I am with you on praying that stuff never comes back again.

    Take care and God bless and keep you and your Dad safe and away from C monster. :+))
    Hondo
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
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    Congrats....
    Hi Jason, short and simple answer...YES.

    It's very common to have residual show on the first PET, especially if it's only been a few months.

    For that very reason,a lot of MD's prefer doing one at minimum after 4 - 6 months.

    Infections will also show up. I had an inflamation of diverticulitus show up on my first pre-treatment scan, along with the tonsils and lymphnode.

    Best,
    John
  • buzz99
    buzz99 Member Posts: 404
    #5
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    You light up my life
    Buzz has been lighting up on his PET scans from the very first one post treatment. With the third post-treament scan, the onologist told us the cancer was back. He then developed a neck abcess caused by an infected blood clot in his jugular vein. He has had the clot since June and the thought is that the infection could have smoldered for months, causing the PET results. We are cautiously optomistic and waiting for the infection to clear before another scan (just a CT scan this time) can be done. To make a long story short, increased activity showing up on a PET does not always mean cancer. Karen

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