can radiation therapy cause hot spots in PET scans?
Comments
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pet scanmp327 said:Thank you Lori & Liz!
I so very much appreciate your concern, words of encouragement and support, and congratulations. I am having a very happy day! Thank you, friends!
congrats to all that got good news. and hugs to those that are still waiting for results. i am confused and nervous because my docs at MD Anderson will not do a pet scan only CT's. I only had one at the beginning of treatment. i think because of protocol??? or because it will show hot spots that are not cancer???/ i really do not know. i am 18 months post tx. i do still have pain on opposite side from tumor and bleed some times. should i insist on one??? just need an opinion. thanks0 -
Hi sephie!sephie said:pet scan
congrats to all that got good news. and hugs to those that are still waiting for results. i am confused and nervous because my docs at MD Anderson will not do a pet scan only CT's. I only had one at the beginning of treatment. i think because of protocol??? or because it will show hot spots that are not cancer???/ i really do not know. i am 18 months post tx. i do still have pain on opposite side from tumor and bleed some times. should i insist on one??? just need an opinion. thanks
Thanks for the congrats. As for PET scans vs CT scans, I think it comes down to a doctor's preference. My med onc just happens to prefer PET scans, so that's what I've been getting. I am not a radiologist, so I'm not real clear on the advantages/disadvantages of either, but I'm sure there are some for each test. It is true that PET scans can show hot spots that are NOT cancer, just as mine have a few times. I guess you would have to put that in the disadvantage column for PET scans. In my case, having the scans is both good and bad--they rule out a return of my cancer, but any activity shown on them always throws me into panic mode, even though it's always come back as "physiologic" or inflammation.
How often are you getting scanned? I would insist on one at least once a year. When was your last one? Also, how often are your follow-ups for DRE's and scopes? I am being seen by my colorectal doc every 3 months. I believe in playing it safe and would certainly mention the pain and bleeding to your doc and ask for an evaluation. Those are just my opinions.0 -
pet scanmp327 said:Hi sephie!
Thanks for the congrats. As for PET scans vs CT scans, I think it comes down to a doctor's preference. My med onc just happens to prefer PET scans, so that's what I've been getting. I am not a radiologist, so I'm not real clear on the advantages/disadvantages of either, but I'm sure there are some for each test. It is true that PET scans can show hot spots that are NOT cancer, just as mine have a few times. I guess you would have to put that in the disadvantage column for PET scans. In my case, having the scans is both good and bad--they rule out a return of my cancer, but any activity shown on them always throws me into panic mode, even though it's always come back as "physiologic" or inflammation.
How often are you getting scanned? I would insist on one at least once a year. When was your last one? Also, how often are your follow-ups for DRE's and scopes? I am being seen by my colorectal doc every 3 months. I believe in playing it safe and would certainly mention the pain and bleeding to your doc and ask for an evaluation. Those are just my opinions.
thx for the reply. i get CT once per year. next one is march 11 along with DRE and proctoscope. i get DRE and proctoscope every 6 months by surgeon. i also get DRE every 3 months by radiologist until 2 year mark post tx. when getting the CT scan , they place a tube up my bottom to put die in there . it always hurts and last time scratched me so bad i had to put off the proctoscope. i tell them to be careful and use lots of lubricant but..... hugs sephie0 -
Good luck on March 11th!sephie said:pet scan
thx for the reply. i get CT once per year. next one is march 11 along with DRE and proctoscope. i get DRE and proctoscope every 6 months by surgeon. i also get DRE every 3 months by radiologist until 2 year mark post tx. when getting the CT scan , they place a tube up my bottom to put die in there . it always hurts and last time scratched me so bad i had to put off the proctoscope. i tell them to be careful and use lots of lubricant but..... hugs sephie
Hi Sephie--
It sounds like you are getting good follow-ups. I just want to wish you all the best with your results on March 11th. Please let us know how it goes.0 -
Wonderfulmp327 said:Good luck on March 11th!
Hi Sephie--
It sounds like you are getting good follow-ups. I just want to wish you all the best with your results on March 11th. Please let us know how it goes.
So wonderful to hear all the good news... hopeful for my visit on 3/30!0 -
SephieGulamin said:Wonderful
So wonderful to hear all the good news... hopeful for my visit on 3/30!
Hi Sephie
I'm treated at MDA also and same as you, I only had a PET once in the beginning. It's been CT scans every six months since then. I'm just approaching my 18 months and my next scan is on Monday. Surgeon does protocopy and DRE every six months as well. From what the docs have told me at MDA they do CT scans as their protocol. The CT scan had a 3 dimensional view of the organs, maybe that's why. I almost know tooo much about my body!
Liz0 -
ct not emough times???lizdeli said:Sephie
Hi Sephie
I'm treated at MDA also and same as you, I only had a PET once in the beginning. It's been CT scans every six months since then. I'm just approaching my 18 months and my next scan is on Monday. Surgeon does protocopy and DRE every six months as well. From what the docs have told me at MDA they do CT scans as their protocol. The CT scan had a 3 dimensional view of the organs, maybe that's why. I almost know tooo much about my body!
Liz
what stage were you??? who were your doctors?/ i am just now approaching 18 months and i have not had a ct since feb of last year. i am not afraid to approach my docs if i feel the ct's are too far apart even though it is a little late now. scares me but we will know more on march 11 or 14. thanks0 -
CT scanssephie said:ct not emough times???
what stage were you??? who were your doctors?/ i am just now approaching 18 months and i have not had a ct since feb of last year. i am not afraid to approach my docs if i feel the ct's are too far apart even though it is a little late now. scares me but we will know more on march 11 or 14. thanks
Sephie
I was stage IIIa. I had two small spots on perirectal lymph nodes. Doctors: Dr. Chang, Surgeon, Dr. Eng, Oncologist and Dr. Crane, Radiologist. My tumor was 2.6 cm. Did you have any lymph node involvement?
I'll PM you my phone number if you have any questions.
Liz0 -
CT scanssephie said:ct not emough times???
what stage were you??? who were your doctors?/ i am just now approaching 18 months and i have not had a ct since feb of last year. i am not afraid to approach my docs if i feel the ct's are too far apart even though it is a little late now. scares me but we will know more on march 11 or 14. thanks
Sephie
I was stage IIIa. I had two small spots on perirectal lymph nodes. Doctors: Dr. Chang, Surgeon, Dr. Eng, Oncologist and Dr. Crane, Radiologist. My tumor was 2.6 cm. Did you have any lymph node involvement?
I'll PM you my phone number if you have any questions.
Liz0 -
ct scanslizdeli said:CT scans
Sephie
I was stage IIIa. I had two small spots on perirectal lymph nodes. Doctors: Dr. Chang, Surgeon, Dr. Eng, Oncologist and Dr. Crane, Radiologist. My tumor was 2.6 cm. Did you have any lymph node involvement?
I'll PM you my phone number if you have any questions.
Liz
liz, i was stage 2 with no lymph nodes, which is truly a blessing since i went for over a year thinking it was a hemmy. and proctologist here in monroe, louisiana did not catch it. at MDA, my oncologist is overman, surgeon is skibber, radiogist is declos but have also seen crane. i am not really sure of size of tumor because surgeon in shreveport tried to remove as much as possible with biopsy but did not get it all so therefore i went to MDA for chemo and radiation with lots of scar tissue from biopsy. i will know more on march 14 after i have the ct on mar. 11 . procto and etc on march 14. since the tx, i have had a problem of inflammation and bump on the left side of anus oposite from where tumor was. they keep watching it. i will let all of you know what they tell me. thanks for your help. sephie0 -
Sephiesephie said:ct scans
liz, i was stage 2 with no lymph nodes, which is truly a blessing since i went for over a year thinking it was a hemmy. and proctologist here in monroe, louisiana did not catch it. at MDA, my oncologist is overman, surgeon is skibber, radiogist is declos but have also seen crane. i am not really sure of size of tumor because surgeon in shreveport tried to remove as much as possible with biopsy but did not get it all so therefore i went to MDA for chemo and radiation with lots of scar tissue from biopsy. i will know more on march 14 after i have the ct on mar. 11 . procto and etc on march 14. since the tx, i have had a problem of inflammation and bump on the left side of anus oposite from where tumor was. they keep watching it. i will let all of you know what they tell me. thanks for your help. sephie
Sephie
Since you didn't have lymph node involvement that may be why you don't get CT scans as frequently. You have good doctors, ask them in March why you only need the CT once year. I was told I needed to be watched because of the lymph nodes. The tumor was also abutting against the vaginal wall so they want to keep a close eye on it.
But you have the right to understand why your follow up differs, so ask away when there.
Wishing you well.
Liz0 -
Sephie,lizdeli said:Sephie
Sephie
Since you didn't have lymph node involvement that may be why you don't get CT scans as frequently. You have good doctors, ask them in March why you only need the CT once year. I was told I needed to be watched because of the lymph nodes. The tumor was also abutting against the vaginal wall so they want to keep a close eye on it.
But you have the right to understand why your follow up differs, so ask away when there.
Wishing you well.
Liz
I was a stage 2 also
Sephie,
I was a stage 2 also and I only get scanned once a year. I don't know if that makes you feel better but even in the NCCN guidlines it does not mention scans for Stage 1 & 2 and Stage 3 annual scans. Those are just guidlines though and every doctor is different. Your doctors seem to be following you well and you are from what I hear in one of the best Cancer Centers.
I have an appointment on March 11th too but just for a DRE and anoscope! I will be praying that all goes well with your scan & appt. Please let us know.
Nancy0 -
ct scansduckyann said:Sephie,
I was a stage 2 also
Sephie,
I was a stage 2 also and I only get scanned once a year. I don't know if that makes you feel better but even in the NCCN guidlines it does not mention scans for Stage 1 & 2 and Stage 3 annual scans. Those are just guidlines though and every doctor is different. Your doctors seem to be following you well and you are from what I hear in one of the best Cancer Centers.
I have an appointment on March 11th too but just for a DRE and anoscope! I will be praying that all goes well with your scan & appt. Please let us know.
Nancy
nancy, thankyou. i will be praying for you also on march 11. i will know more on the 14 th after all the exams. i would not be worried except for the continuing problem with inflammation and pain on left side of anus. oh well will know soon. hugs sephie0 -
sephie, I had my PET/CT scansephie said:ct scans
nancy, thankyou. i will be praying for you also on march 11. i will know more on the 14 th after all the exams. i would not be worried except for the continuing problem with inflammation and pain on left side of anus. oh well will know soon. hugs sephie
sephie, I had my PET/CT scan in mid Oct. and it showed a hot spot that was not there previously. I was terrified and it was on the left side also opposite of the original tumor. I had a biopsy done and it was negative. It was all due to inflammation and scar tissue. I was 16 months post treatment the time of my scan. How far out of treatments are you? I really think you are going to be fine. This treatments does a number on most of us. Hang in there....hugs back at you...Nancy0 -
Scan Resultsduckyann said:sephie, I had my PET/CT scan
sephie, I had my PET/CT scan in mid Oct. and it showed a hot spot that was not there previously. I was terrified and it was on the left side also opposite of the original tumor. I had a biopsy done and it was negative. It was all due to inflammation and scar tissue. I was 16 months post treatment the time of my scan. How far out of treatments are you? I really think you are going to be fine. This treatments does a number on most of us. Hang in there....hugs back at you...Nancy
I just returned from MDA. Everything is good. Had CT of Lung, Pelvis, Abdomen, flex sigmond something, DRE, blood work. All came out well. Thank God!!!
Liz0 -
Scan Resultsduckyann said:sephie, I had my PET/CT scan
sephie, I had my PET/CT scan in mid Oct. and it showed a hot spot that was not there previously. I was terrified and it was on the left side also opposite of the original tumor. I had a biopsy done and it was negative. It was all due to inflammation and scar tissue. I was 16 months post treatment the time of my scan. How far out of treatments are you? I really think you are going to be fine. This treatments does a number on most of us. Hang in there....hugs back at you...Nancy
I just returned from MDA. Everything is good. Had CT of Lung, Pelvis, Abdomen, flex sigmond something, DRE, blood work. All came out well. Thank God!!!
Liz0 -
Congrats Liz!lizdeli said:Scan Results
I just returned from MDA. Everything is good. Had CT of Lung, Pelvis, Abdomen, flex sigmond something, DRE, blood work. All came out well. Thank God!!!
Liz
Congratulations on all your good news and thanks for sharing it with us! I'm so very happy for you and hope you are taking some time for celebration. As always, I wish you continued good news. Stay well!
Hugs--
Martha0
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