Update

Adam26
Adam26 Member Posts: 125

Just a mini update. We had the second opinion yesterday. She didn't have any of our details! She has since seen the MRI and agrees that whatever it may be is indistinct. They have requested the histology and I believe they will do their own pathology tests on the sample taken during the biopsy last month. One other thing, after seeing the MRI, the oncologist rang and recommended we book a PET scan. Her secretary has since said to wait until after the pathology tests. I have no idea why they want us to do that. Will keep you posted.

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Adam

    Thanks for the update.  Fingers crossed that this will all turn out to be good news for your mom!

    Martha

  • Adam26
    Adam26 Member Posts: 125
    Hey Martha,
    Thank you!
     
    Do

    Hey Martha,

    Thank you!

     

    Do you know why they might consider a PET scan after the second pathology analysis? I know that anal cancer is really rare and these pathologists don't always have specialist knowledge of the cancers they are looking at. My step dad asked if we should be encouraged by this PET scan and she said that we shouldn't be discouraged. Just wondering if she's considered that it may have been a misdiagnosis? Hence why they would do a PET scan afterwards?
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    Adam26 said:

    Hey Martha,
    Thank you!
     
    Do

    Hey Martha,

    Thank you!

     

    Do you know why they might consider a PET scan after the second pathology analysis? I know that anal cancer is really rare and these pathologists don't always have specialist knowledge of the cancers they are looking at. My step dad asked if we should be encouraged by this PET scan and she said that we shouldn't be discouraged. Just wondering if she's considered that it may have been a misdiagnosis? Hence why they would do a PET scan afterwards?
    Adam

    I really cannot answer your question, but I think it's good that they are getting a PET scan.  It seems to me that any remaining cancer cells would light up on the PET, giving confirmation to the original path results.

  • Adam26
    Adam26 Member Posts: 125
    mp327 said:

    Adam

    I really cannot answer your question, but I think it's good that they are getting a PET scan.  It seems to me that any remaining cancer cells would light up on the PET, giving confirmation to the original path results.

    You see, if their path

    You see, if their path results agreed with the original ones, I don't think they'd need to do a PET scan. Only if they didn't agree would they need to do one really? 

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    Adam26 said:

    Hey Martha,
    Thank you!
     
    Do

    Hey Martha,

    Thank you!

     

    Do you know why they might consider a PET scan after the second pathology analysis? I know that anal cancer is really rare and these pathologists don't always have specialist knowledge of the cancers they are looking at. My step dad asked if we should be encouraged by this PET scan and she said that we shouldn't be discouraged. Just wondering if she's considered that it may have been a misdiagnosis? Hence why they would do a PET scan afterwards?
    Pet Scans

    Pet scans will point out any other suspicious hot spots(potential cancer) in other parts of the body.  The problem with PET scans are that they are not 100% conclusive of cancer.  They just light up areas that may be potential cancer particularily those of us who have had recent radiation.

    Mike

  • Adam26
    Adam26 Member Posts: 125

    Pet Scans

    Pet scans will point out any other suspicious hot spots(potential cancer) in other parts of the body.  The problem with PET scans are that they are not 100% conclusive of cancer.  They just light up areas that may be potential cancer particularily those of us who have had recent radiation.

    Mike

    Hi Mike,
    Would they also use

    Hi Mike,

    Would they also use a PET scan in the event that the second pathology test came back as negative, contradicting the first one?

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    Adam26 said:

    Hi Mike,
    Would they also use

    Hi Mike,

    Would they also use a PET scan in the event that the second pathology test came back as negative, contradicting the first one?

    Perhaps

    That would at the doctor's discretion.

    Mike