Update

Adam26

Just a mini update. We had the second opinion yesterday. She didn't have any of our details! She has since seen the MRI and agrees that whatever it may be is indistinct. They have requested the histology and I believe they will do their own pathology tests on the sample taken during the biopsy last month. One other thing, after seeing the MRI, the oncologist rang and recommended we book a PET scan. Her secretary has since said to wait until after the pathology tests. I have no idea why they want us to do that. Will keep you posted.

mp327

Adam

Thanks for the update.  Fingers crossed that this will all turn out to be good news for your mom!

Martha

Adam26

Hey Martha,
Thank you!
 
Do

Hey Martha,

Thank you!

 

Do you know why they might consider a PET scan after the second pathology analysis? I know that anal cancer is really rare and these pathologists don't always have specialist knowledge of the cancers they are looking at. My step dad asked if we should be encouraged by this PET scan and she said that we shouldn't be discouraged. Just wondering if she's considered that it may have been a misdiagnosis? Hence why they would do a PET scan afterwards?

mp327

Adam26 said:

Hey Martha,
Thank you!
 
Do

Hey Martha,

Thank you!

 

Do you know why they might consider a PET scan after the second pathology analysis? I know that anal cancer is really rare and these pathologists don't always have specialist knowledge of the cancers they are looking at. My step dad asked if we should be encouraged by this PET scan and she said that we shouldn't be discouraged. Just wondering if she's considered that it may have been a misdiagnosis? Hence why they would do a PET scan afterwards?

Adam

I really cannot answer your question, but I think it's good that they are getting a PET scan.  It seems to me that any remaining cancer cells would light up on the PET, giving confirmation to the original path results.

Adam26

mp327 said:

Adam

I really cannot answer your question, but I think it's good that they are getting a PET scan.  It seems to me that any remaining cancer cells would light up on the PET, giving confirmation to the original path results.

You see, if their path

You see, if their path results agreed with the original ones, I don't think they'd need to do a PET scan. Only if they didn't agree would they need to do one really? 

mxperry220

Adam26 said:

Hey Martha,
Thank you!
 
Do

Hey Martha,

Thank you!

 

Do you know why they might consider a PET scan after the second pathology analysis? I know that anal cancer is really rare and these pathologists don't always have specialist knowledge of the cancers they are looking at. My step dad asked if we should be encouraged by this PET scan and she said that we shouldn't be discouraged. Just wondering if she's considered that it may have been a misdiagnosis? Hence why they would do a PET scan afterwards?

Pet Scans

Pet scans will point out any other suspicious hot spots(potential cancer) in other parts of the body.  The problem with PET scans are that they are not 100% conclusive of cancer.  They just light up areas that may be potential cancer particularily those of us who have had recent radiation.

Mike

Adam26

mxperry220 said:

Pet Scans

Pet scans will point out any other suspicious hot spots(potential cancer) in other parts of the body.  The problem with PET scans are that they are not 100% conclusive of cancer.  They just light up areas that may be potential cancer particularily those of us who have had recent radiation.

Mike

Hi Mike,
Would they also use

Hi Mike,

Would they also use a PET scan in the event that the second pathology test came back as negative, contradicting the first one?

mxperry220

Adam26 said:

Hi Mike,
Would they also use

Hi Mike,

Would they also use a PET scan in the event that the second pathology test came back as negative, contradicting the first one?

Perhaps

That would at the doctor's discretion.

Mike