CT Scans

peggylulu

I know "it's not Cancer until they say it's Cancer " but does anyone know how far down does a CT  , Head and Neck Scan , scan ? I just had a clean CT scan about two weeks ago and last week I found a lump on the same side (right) as my SCC cancer was on !!!! It's just a little ways down from my neck right above my Colar sp? Bone and I am scared ! I do happen to have an appointment tomorrow with my ENT but just hoping maybe someone could answer my question tonight .

Thanks , Peggy

Skiffin16

Mine...

Top of the head to the groin....

You can ask for a copy and they'll give you one on DVD...

katenorwood

Glad you're going in...

Peggy,

The CT should have covered that area.  This is a great question and one not asked often.  Be sure to ask the ENT as they will describe it for you.  I will be thinking only goodthoughts for your appointment tomorrow !  Katie

debbiejeanne

its true its not cancer until

its true its not cancer until the doc says it is but at the same time we all understan ur fear.  i'll be praying for you to be worrying over nothing.  take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  unfortunately u probably have a long nite ahead of u.  try your best to rest and the morning will be here b4 u know it. 

God bless,

debbiejeanne

peggylulu

debbiejeanne said:

its true its not cancer until

its true its not cancer until the doc says it is but at the same time we all understan ur fear.  i'll be praying for you to be worrying over nothing.  take a deep breath and exhale slowly.  unfortunately u probably have a long nite ahead of u.  try your best to rest and the morning will be here b4 u know it. 

God bless,

debbiejeanne

Thanks

Everyone , I feel better just reading your posts ! We got company right after I posted my question so I wasn't able to get back on until just now . Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers . I don't know what I would do without you guys! I haven't even told my husband or my Daughter about the lump because I didn't want to worry them until I find out if there is anything to worry about !

Love you guys ,

Peggy

Billie67

peggylulu said:

Thanks

Everyone , I feel better just reading your posts ! We got company right after I posted my question so I wasn't able to get back on until just now . Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers . I don't know what I would do without you guys! I haven't even told my husband or my Daughter about the lump because I didn't want to worry them until I find out if there is anything to worry about !

Love you guys ,

Peggy

Peggy
My dr always orders an "eyes to thighs" PET/CT and if it's just a CT it would be down to about the groin area.
I'm going to say that you've probably got nothing to worry about. I too have felt some lumps and bumps but they always tell me it's nothing. A couple of times they said it was just my nodes doing what they are supposed to do.
I will say a prayer that this is the same case for you.
Keep us posted but try and relax.
Billie

peggylulu

PET

The ENT said the lump could be an infection and gave me a RX. He says even if the PET doesn't lite up he thinks he should remove it because that is the only way to know for sure if it's cancer ! What I'm wondering is will an infection cause the PET to lite up ? Also does he just want to do surgery or is he right ? I am wondering if the PET doesn't lite up why not just have a biopsy ? Thanks

Still worried , Peggy

Billie67

peggylulu said:

PET

The ENT said the lump could be an infection and gave me a RX. He says even if the PET doesn't lite up he thinks he should remove it because that is the only way to know for sure if it's cancer ! What I'm wondering is will an infection cause the PET to lite up ? Also does he just want to do surgery or is he right ? I am wondering if the PET doesn't lite up why not just have a biopsy ? Thanks

Still worried , Peggy

Yes it can!
My PET lit up from a sore I had in my mouth. One of the nodes in my neck lit up under my jaw area because I had stabbed my gums with a tortilla chip. I did have tenderness in the node area and I tried to explain that to the onc when he got the scan results. So I told my ENT and he ordered another CT and sure enough, by this time the trauma in my mouth had gone down and the node had calmed down too.
I'd ask about a biopsy if I were you and see what they say. Maybe you'll find out it was just caused by an infection after all.
Billie

peggylulu

Billie67 said:

Yes it can!
My PET lit up from a sore I had in my mouth. One of the nodes in my neck lit up under my jaw area because I had stabbed my gums with a tortilla chip. I did have tenderness in the node area and I tried to explain that to the onc when he got the scan results. So I told my ENT and he ordered another CT and sure enough, by this time the trauma in my mouth had gone down and the node had calmed down too.
I'd ask about a biopsy if I were you and see what they say. Maybe you'll find out it was just caused by an infection after all.
Billie

Billie

He did mention a Biopsy and then went on to say no matter what the Pet said he thought It should be taken out. He said it might turn out to be negative . It sure would be wonderful if it is an infection, however he still wants the scan. They are soposed to call me tomorrow to tell me when it will be. We have to drive about 90 miles each way to have it done. I have been seeing my pcp once a month because I'm still losing weight and I have an appointment with him tomorrow so I will discuss all of this with him. Thank you so much for your concern and support. So very happy I found you guys.

Peggy

HobbsDoggy

Take it Out?

My guess is he wants to make sure its not cancer and from what I understand the only sure way is to remove and do slides.  Seems better safe than sorry.  Hope its just an infection or some other "minor" issue.  Most of these things are, but I tottaly understand the fear.  Every twinge I get I have that flash of fear.  We are human and fear is part of the deal.

HobbsDoggy

Take it Out?

My guess is he wants to make sure its not cancer and from what I understand the only sure way is to remove and do slides.  Seems better safe than sorry.  Hope its just an infection or some other "minor" issue.  Most of these things are, but I tottaly understand the fear.  Every twinge I get I have that flash of fear.  We are human and fear is part of the deal.

peggylulu

HobbsDoggy said:

Take it Out?

My guess is he wants to make sure its not cancer and from what I understand the only sure way is to remove and do slides.  Seems better safe than sorry.  Hope its just an infection or some other "minor" issue.  Most of these things are, but I tottaly understand the fear.  Every twinge I get I have that flash of fear.  We are human and fear is part of the deal.

HobbsDpggy

I'm sure you are right , I just hate to have to repete this but he said this time it will be performed in a hospital so they can biopsy it while I am asleep and if it is cancer,he will take out more Lymph Glands . Yes I am still very scared and worried and I am constantly "feeling" for lumps , but guess it's a good thing because I am the one that found both of them ! Thank you so much for your reply.

Peggy

peggylulu

Billie67 said:

Yes it can!
My PET lit up from a sore I had in my mouth. One of the nodes in my neck lit up under my jaw area because I had stabbed my gums with a tortilla chip. I did have tenderness in the node area and I tried to explain that to the onc when he got the scan results. So I told my ENT and he ordered another CT and sure enough, by this time the trauma in my mouth had gone down and the node had calmed down too.
I'd ask about a biopsy if I were you and see what they say. Maybe you'll find out it was just caused by an infection after all.
Billie

Billie

I saw my PCP this morning and he totaly agreed with the ENT about me having surgery ! I didn't have to ask about a Biopsy because he brought it up and he wants me to have one ! He did say he was worried and concerned that my Cancer has Metastasized . So here I go again ! My family and I are wondering why you need all three ? Guess it really doesn't matter because I will be doing whatever the docs say to do . Say a little prayer for me . It still could be an infection or negative . Thanks.

P.S He did say if it is Cancer he will send me to MDA just to see what they recomemd for treatments .

Peggy