THREE MONTH PET SCAN RESULTS

Linda C.
Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

THREE MONTH PET SCAN RESULTS

NM PET CT ROUTINE SKULL TO MID THIGH - Details

 

Impression

Resolution of previously demonstrated left vallecular and left cervical nodal hypermetabolic activity. No suspicious hypermetabolic activity is identified.

 

 

Electronically signed by: Jeremy Rau

Date: 11/17/17

Time: 16:07

 

Narrative

 

STUDY: RESTAGING PET/CT

 

HISTORY: History of malignant neoplasm of the left vallecula with cervical metastatic nodal disease

 

COMPARISON: Correlation previous PET/CT of 5/16/2017 and CT neck 10/20/2017

 

TECHNIQUE: PET/CT images were obtained from the skull to the mid thigh following the administration of 12.88 mCi of FDG intravenously. Blood glucose level at the time of the exam was 108 mg/dL. CT performed for attenuation correction and fused images obtained. Iterative reconstruction technique was used.

 

FINDINGS: Focal uptake is present in the region of the vocal cords without corresponding CT abnormality favored to be physiologic in nature. Previously demonstrated hypermetabolic activity at the left vallecula has resolved. The left cervical hypermetabolic lymph node is also no longer identified. Physiologic uptake is seen within the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, genitourinary tract, and GI system. No newly developed suspicious hypermetabolic foci.

 

Stable 2.3 cm nodule associated with right thyroid lobe without increased activity. Gastrostomy tube is in place. Numerous radiodense gallstones are identified. Significant sigmoid colon diverticulosis.

 

I was so relieved when I first read this report and shed a few tears of joy.  Then I read it a second time.  

 

I'm a little concerned about the uptake of the liquid radioactive material used to show the location of the cancer.  Focal uptake in the area of my vocal chord concerns me as I still have a raspy voice.  Also physiologic uptake with the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, genitourinary tract, and GI system concerns me.  I will ask about this at my upcoming visit with the Oncologist in two days.  Uptake usually means that the liquid radioactive material lit up on the scan in those places mentioned.  There is a possibility that this is a natural occurrence and means nothing serious.  Or it can mean cancer cells are present.

 

If this is nothing to worry about then I will be celebrating my victory against the monster by taking a trip in the RV with my little doggies.

Comments

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #2
    NED

    Sounds like NED to me.  The one good thing about having a PET scan is finding out about other physical ailments.  With mine, I was able to finally get a sinus infection treated properly.  Now you get to see other specialists about the cardio stuff.

    A hoarse voice is expected with rads, assuming you had them.

    Go celebrate!

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    edited November 2017 #3
    tommyodavey said:

    NED

    Sounds like NED to me.  The one good thing about having a PET scan is finding out about other physical ailments.  With mine, I was able to finally get a sinus infection treated properly.  Now you get to see other specialists about the cardio stuff.

    A hoarse voice is expected with rads, assuming you had them.

    Go celebrate!

    Cardio uptake of the liquid

    Cardio uptake of the liquid radioactive material  does not mean cardiac problems.  I believe it would indicate abnormal cancer cells.  I'll find out tomorrow when I see my oncologist.  I am very happy about the "No newly developed suspicious hypermetabolic foci" statement.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    Monster be gone.

    Linda,

    I hope you and the little doggies RV into the sunset with NED as your current uptake throughout your whole body and head.

    Matt

  • Kenny-
    Kenny- Member Posts: 99 Member
    #5
    PET report

    The PET report looks awfully familiar, I think we're in the same hospital :) Myy oncologist explained physiologic uptake of the vital organs are a large consumer of the PET dose (heart, brain, GI). But I think it's still good to ask the question and have them review the PET to see if they view a different opinion.

  • rcaulder
    rcaulder Member Posts: 70
    #6
    Physiologic uptake

    Physiologic uptake is normal,  means normal process.

     

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #7
    Kenny- said:

    PET report

    The PET report looks awfully familiar, I think we're in the same hospital :) Myy oncologist explained physiologic uptake of the vital organs are a large consumer of the PET dose (heart, brain, GI). But I think it's still good to ask the question and have them review the PET to see if they view a different opinion.

    I sure hope it means nothing

    I sure hope it means nothing serious.  I believe Focal uptake is more serious than Physiologic uptake.  I'll know today after my appointment with doctor.

     

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #8
    rcaulder said:

    Physiologic uptake

    Physiologic uptake is normal,  means normal process.

     

    Sure hope so.

    Sure hope so.

  • lorijeannj
    lorijeannj Member Posts: 56 Member
    #9
    Probably scar tissue.  No

    Probably scar tissue.  No worries.  You'll be driving into that sunset.

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #10
    My Oncologist is very pleased

    My Oncologist is very pleased with the results of my PET scan.  He said the uptake is nothing to worry about.  He examined the side of my tongue where I feel something.  He wants me to check with my ENT about it but does  not feel it is a new cancer.  I will see him again in 6 weeks.  I see the ENT again in 2 weeks.  I see my family doctor next week.  Then I will start with lymphedema massage next month - now that I'm cancer free.  They couldn't do the massage until there was no more cancer as it could spread with massage.  So my calendar is full of appointments but I will find time to take a few days to go to the beach.

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    edited November 2017 #11
    congrats

    Fancy and wordy way to say NED. :)

  • FamilyLove
    FamilyLove Member Posts: 22 Member
    #12
    Congrats

    Congratulations on your NED results.  

     

  • caregiver wife
    caregiver wife Member Posts: 234
    #13
    Linda C. said:

    My Oncologist is very pleased

    My Oncologist is very pleased with the results of my PET scan.  He said the uptake is nothing to worry about.  He examined the side of my tongue where I feel something.  He wants me to check with my ENT about it but does  not feel it is a new cancer.  I will see him again in 6 weeks.  I see the ENT again in 2 weeks.  I see my family doctor next week.  Then I will start with lymphedema massage next month - now that I'm cancer free.  They couldn't do the massage until there was no more cancer as it could spread with massage.  So my calendar is full of appointments but I will find time to take a few days to go to the beach.

    Scan results

    So very happy for you, Linda!!  I don't know why they let anyone see one of those reports before they are sitting in front of a doctor!

    Crystal

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #14
    caregiver wife said:

    Scan results

    So very happy for you, Linda!!  I don't know why they let anyone see one of those reports before they are sitting in front of a doctor!

    Crystal

    Actually I prefer to see it

    Actually I prefer to see it before so I can research terminology and be better prepared to ask questions.  Thank you for the good wishes.

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #15
    donfoo said:

    congrats

    Fancy and wordy way to say NED. :)

    I know.  It seems that only

    I know.  It seems that only patients use NED as it is never on an actual PET scan report.  Funny how that works.

  • Linda C.
    Linda C. Member Posts: 107 Member
    #16
    FamilyLove said:

    Congrats

    Congratulations on your NED results.  

     

    Thank you.  I am very

    Thank you.  I am very grateful.

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