It might be back

jtebo1955
jtebo1955 Member Posts: 46
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I had a PET scan last week and my appointment with Onc Dr isn't til Friday. It was driving me crazy so today I went to his office and asked for the report. They didn't really want to give it to me but did. I read and everything seems ok except the SUV increased from 5.6 to 9.1. Now I have no idea what this means but it suggests an scope to be done to rule out recurrence of the EC. I'm pretty worried at this point.

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #2
    Not sure what a 3.5 increase in SUV really means
    Judy,

    Not really being knowledgeable of ranges of SUV results; I did some internet research and one of the things I get back is that SUV ranges can vary widely for a number of reasons including variation between equipment. They really suggest that without the interpretation of a medical professional who is trained in reading pet scan results the SUV is just a number. SUV levels can increase as a result of inflammation and and are notoriously higher in areas where surgery has recently been performed. I would suggest it is not time to be worried until your oncologist tells you there is reason for concern.

    I hope the week goes by quickly and you find when you reach your oncologist's office it is just a variation between equipment or expected changes as a result of surgery.

    I will be sending positive thoughts your way on Friday.


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    Grand Blanc, Michigan

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • jtebo1955
    jtebo1955 Member Posts: 46
    #3
    paul61 said:

    Not sure what a 3.5 increase in SUV really means
    Judy,

    Not really being knowledgeable of ranges of SUV results; I did some internet research and one of the things I get back is that SUV ranges can vary widely for a number of reasons including variation between equipment. They really suggest that without the interpretation of a medical professional who is trained in reading pet scan results the SUV is just a number. SUV levels can increase as a result of inflammation and and are notoriously higher in areas where surgery has recently been performed. I would suggest it is not time to be worried until your oncologist tells you there is reason for concern.

    I hope the week goes by quickly and you find when you reach your oncologist's office it is just a variation between equipment or expected changes as a result of surgery.

    I will be sending positive thoughts your way on Friday.


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    Grand Blanc, Michigan

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Thank you so much
    Thank you so much for your reply, I feel much better! I'm staying busy this week and hoping it goes by fast too.

    I'll update after my appointment,
    Judy
  • jtebo1955
    jtebo1955 Member Posts: 46
    #4
    paul61 said:

    Not sure what a 3.5 increase in SUV really means
    Judy,

    Not really being knowledgeable of ranges of SUV results; I did some internet research and one of the things I get back is that SUV ranges can vary widely for a number of reasons including variation between equipment. They really suggest that without the interpretation of a medical professional who is trained in reading pet scan results the SUV is just a number. SUV levels can increase as a result of inflammation and and are notoriously higher in areas where surgery has recently been performed. I would suggest it is not time to be worried until your oncologist tells you there is reason for concern.

    I hope the week goes by quickly and you find when you reach your oncologist's office it is just a variation between equipment or expected changes as a result of surgery.

    I will be sending positive thoughts your way on Friday.


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    Grand Blanc, Michigan

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Seen dr
    Hi Paul,
    Just wanted to give you a quick update. I seen Onc Dr last week, he wasn't real concerned about the uptake, said could be inflammation as you said. He ordered a endoscope today and they said everything looked normal. So that is good news! He did mention if I was concerned I should get the ultrasound endoscope to see if the problem is outside the esophagus. I swear, no peace of mind anywhere to be found these days. Anyway I'll give that some thought. But until Jan.( next pet ) I'm going to put it on the back burner and enjoy life for a bit.

    Thanks for always being there, Enjoy Your time away from Michigan..going to freeze this weekend.

    Judy
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #5
    jtebo1955 said:

    Seen dr
    Hi Paul,
    Just wanted to give you a quick update. I seen Onc Dr last week, he wasn't real concerned about the uptake, said could be inflammation as you said. He ordered a endoscope today and they said everything looked normal. So that is good news! He did mention if I was concerned I should get the ultrasound endoscope to see if the problem is outside the esophagus. I swear, no peace of mind anywhere to be found these days. Anyway I'll give that some thought. But until Jan.( next pet ) I'm going to put it on the back burner and enjoy life for a bit.

    Thanks for always being there, Enjoy Your time away from Michigan..going to freeze this weekend.

    Judy

    Good News!!
    Judy,

    I am glad to hear that your oncologist is not concerned. I think there is always another test but I would be inclined to follow his recommendation and wait until January.

    I understand it is getting cool up there already so I guess we came back to South Carolina at the right time.

    I always liked October in Michigan though because the trees are so pretty.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

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