False positive PET scans

CHRIS M001
CHRIS M001 Member Posts: 23
in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
Well i had my 2nd post chemo PET scan today. My first post chemo PET scan was not so good with an SUV=8.9. I was obviously devastated by my last PET scan. My doctors told me it was probably inflammation and to retest in 2 months. I went to my Oncologist today and he told me my CANCER IS GONE!! SUV=0! I am living proof that if you do your PET scan too soon after chemo that you run the risk of false positives, even if the uptake is higher than a 3. I have always heard that an suv # above a 3 is highly suspicious of cancer. I hope that anybody who gets a positive PET scan post chemo can still have hope that it is a false positive and just inflammation or scar tissue. God is good!

Comments

  • diazr1
    diazr1 Member Posts: 101
    #2
    Awesome and yes God is good.
    Awesome and yes God is good. I needed this
  • vinny59
    vinny59 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #3
    yes!
    Great news!!!!!
  • lboehlke
    lboehlke Member Posts: 17
    #4
    Great News
    Chris,

    So glad the Big C is gone, I'll pray for you that it never ever comes back.

    Lance
  • miss maggie
    miss maggie Member Posts: 929
    #5
    Yes
    Cancer is gone. This news is so wonderful. It can't get better than that. Also,
    thanks for the info on getting a scan so soon after chemo.

    Yes, God is Good. Maggie
  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 1,508 Member
    #6
    It did show something, just not what they thought
    First of all, praise God in heaven! As to the PET, clearly, it showed "something", but it was just not cancer - the increased uptake apparently being associated with inflammation or some other natural metabolic process. All scans, whether CT or PET, are simply images (however detailed) which are examined by a radiologist. But, they are only images, and not biopsies. The problem is that no actual living tissue was physically examined. Since you were already diagnosed with cancer, the radiologist suspected that what they saw might have been cancer. Problem is, they can't tell for sure from the image. And, radiologists tend to be a little on the alarmist side. They must point out every actual, and even even suspected abnormalities in the scan. Some abnormality that you might have been born with sets their alarm off, simply because they have never seen it before and other people don't have it. Even when my first post-chemo PET came back positive, doctor still had an excisional biopsy done, so that what appeared to be cancer in the PET image could be physically examined and either proved or disproved. Clearly, the problem in your case was that the PET was done too soon.

    In their defense, I would say that, if your cancer was an aggressive variety, their concern was warranted. Sometimes, this just has to happen. In my case, it actually was the aggressive cancer which had immediately relapsed, and that is where divine providence entered in. But, that's another story.

    No Evidence of Disease is every reason to get on those knees and give heartfelt thanks. God is good, indeed!
  • Missalynn42
    Missalynn42 Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Do you know what is a safe

    Do you know what is a safe enough distance between your last treatment and a scan? I had my last treatment on the 13th of June and had a pet scan on the 19th of August and it came back with some highlighted areas and they want to start chemo again, very scare, both of the treatment and the fact that I may not need it. I was coming down with a cold and slight ear ache when I had the scan.

  • Shoopy
    Shoopy Member Posts: 210
    #8
    Missalynn42 said:

    Do you know what is a safe

    Do you know what is a safe enough distance between your last treatment and a scan? I had my last treatment on the 13th of June and had a pet scan on the 19th of August and it came back with some highlighted areas and they want to start chemo again, very scare, both of the treatment and the fact that I may not need it. I was coming down with a cold and slight ear ache when I had the scan.

    Interersted too

    I'm interested in this information as well.  I had my second round of chemo last week (week of August 19th) and the doctors have scheduled a 'check up' PET and CT scan for next week (week of September 2nd).  I'm now wondering if this is too soon (but then again...I ain't a doctor...lol).

  • MChantal
    MChantal Member Posts: 107
    #9
    Shoopy said:

    Interersted too

    I'm interested in this information as well.  I had my second round of chemo last week (week of August 19th) and the doctors have scheduled a 'check up' PET and CT scan for next week (week of September 2nd).  I'm now wondering if this is too soon (but then again...I ain't a doctor...lol).

    I heard..

    I was told that from your last day of treatment especially, after the neulasta shot to when you can have a PET scan is 12-15 days.

    From my understanding, if a PET scan is done too early after a neulasta shot; the glucose that is injected for the PET scan is attracted to stimulating bone marrow production from the shot. Just like cancer cells. Thus, gives the false-negative results.

  • Shoopy
    Shoopy Member Posts: 210
    #10
    MChantal said:

    I heard..

    I was told that from your last day of treatment especially, after the neulasta shot to when you can have a PET scan is 12-15 days.

    From my understanding, if a PET scan is done too early after a neulasta shot; the glucose that is injected for the PET scan is attracted to stimulating bone marrow production from the shot. Just like cancer cells. Thus, gives the false-negative results.

    MChantal

    Thanks for responding.  I just counted and that would put my next PET scan right on day 12 from the....as I call it...lunasty shot!

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