PET scan

csunshine1208

I have been undergoing chemo for almost 2 years with only a few breaks because of personal reasons, I have had a CT scan or a Pet scan every 3-4 months and they seem to keep telling me the same thing. There rectal area shows active disease, but I was also told the lymph nodes in my chest showed positive for a year and when I finally had them biopsied they were negative. I was wondering is it possible for them to wrong about all of it? When I asked my doctor why this would happen all she said was I could have had an infection at the time of the scans, but there was more then 1 and they were months apart? Anyone else have heard of this? I just had a PET scan 3 days ago, returning to chemo this week without even knowing the test results.

tootsie1

I don't know
I'm sorry that I don't know the answers to your questions, but I hope someone else will pipe in soon. I'm hoping you will make great progress.

*hugs*
Gail

Sundanceh

Welcome!
Hi

Your CT scans should detect a mass once it is large enough. If they are still seeing the mass, they should be able to measure the tumor size and how big it is getting - or how small has it shrunk since your chemo began.

For being 2 years on chemo, I would expect to either see some significant shrinkage or see the cancer continuing to advance, or hold stable with no new growth or slight growth.

You don't mention what types of chemo you are on for these 2 years...have you done any of the Folfox? Are you doing Folfiri? Do they have you on 5fu by pump? Are you taking Xeloda? Have they talked to you about introducing Avastin?

These would be good questions to bring up on your next onc visit.

As far as PETs go, infections and stuff like that can trigger a false/positive? But getting them everytime, hmmm?

I would think that the combination of your blood labs, with a CT and PET would give your onc the necessary tools he/she needs to make the call on what's going on?

We need to know more about your regimen in order to examine your situation further.

I had CT showing growth - PET scan lighting up for cancer activity - biopsy showed negative. So, it does happen....unfortunately, it's not an exact science. With the 3 tests I mentioned above though, it gives one as much ammo as is readily available in today's world to make an assessment of one's health.

I would wait to see what your results come back with on these recent tests. And what you can then do, is gather up your records and scans and present them to another oncologist for a 2nd opinion. No onc worth his salt will object to this and it is your right to do so. You are the patient.

A 2nd opinion puts another set of eyeballs on your situation and they can give you their opinions and recommendations on what their course of treatment and action would be. This gives you someone else to compare notes with. It's always a good idea when you began to have questions. And who knows...you might like the new doc and facility even better. At the very least, you will have given yourself peace of mind that you took some action on your own and took the rudder on your healthcare. You become the advocate - the quarterback - who will lead your team down the field in your journey.

Please post back when you have some more information. I'm sure other folks will be behind me weighing in on this as well.

Welcome to the forum, BTW! Very nice to meet you and take off your shoes and sit awhile - we'll be happy to help you anyway that we know how:)

-Craig

AnneCan

Welcome csunshine1208! I
Welcome csunshine1208! I hope you find this forum as useful as I do.

Kathryn_in_MN

I think
I think in your shoes, I'd consult with another doctor for a second opinion at this point. If you don't already have copies of all your labs and tests, and what treatments you've had so far, ask for them and go see someone else. It can't hurt anything, and may open up a different opinion or options for you too.