hummm not a great PET

soccermom13
soccermom13 Member Posts: 224
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had my PET scan on Monday and saw the Onc yesterday. Seems as though I have "tiny" nodular with SUV reaching 8.2 (what does this mean) along the back of the cecum close to the original surgery site, but no definable mass, a stable cyst in the liver (knew about this one - surgeon was not concerned at time of surgery in 2008) and a fibroid in the uterus (was there at time of surgery and he was not concerned about this either). The node is of concern to the onc who wants me to see the GI/surgeon asap for another colonoscopy. I just had one in June for my one year reversal surgery check up and had a "tiny" node removed then. OK, so it is "tiny" but what does that mean??? To worry or not. Guess I will go with not worry until I see the surgeon to do another fun colonoscopy. I try to not worry but then again . . .

Comments

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #2
    None
    I don't have the slightest idea what that means. I voting for the not worrying.
    Thinking of you, sending you good vibes.
    Winter Marie
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #3
    herdizziness said:

    None
    I don't have the slightest idea what that means. I voting for the not worrying.
    Thinking of you, sending you good vibes.
    Winter Marie

    SUV............Standardized Uptake Values
    How to Read a Petscan


    A PET, which stands for positron-emissions tomography, scan is used to detect cancer in patients. A PET scan can locate cancer, give information on the stage of the cancer and monitor how well treatments are working for current cancer patients. PET scans can even diagnosis benign or cancerous tumors. When a doctor finds a lump in a lung, a PET scan may be able to tell whether surgery and treatment is necessary without having to do a traditional biopsy. PET scans work by using a small amount of a radioactive tracer attached to glucose. The scanner finds areas in the body that are using more glucose and signifies that as a sign of cancer.

    PET scans should be read by professionals who have been trained (either through regular coursework or through specialized courses) to avoid unclear results or panic in the person who had the PET scan. Doctors should not hand over results without letting the patient know how to read the scan and what it means.

    Search the PET scan for hot spots if you are trained in reading PET scans. Hot spots will occur where the body is using more glucose.

    Use the Standardized Uptake Values (SUVs) scale to measure the brightness of a hot spot on a PET scan. The scale range is zero to 15. Zero indicates no uptake, and 15 is maximal uptake. Most cancers are above 2 or 3 on this scale.

    Decide if the SUVs are in the 2 to 3 SUVs range. If they are, discern whether the patient may have cancer or the hotspots may be a sign of highly metabolic normal tissues. Highly metabolic normal tissues can register in the 2 to 3 SUVs range also, but it would abnormal for this tissue to be closer to 15.

    Discuss the patient's options if any cancerous tumors are found in the body during the PET scan. PET scans can show that the tumor is benign or cancerous, and so a biopsy may or may not need to be scheduled for the patient.

    I hope this helps in your knowledge base....although I do not know anything about the readings you have. I will say my best wishes for a great outcome....buzz
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #4
    not to worry
    soccermom13,

    I am hoping you get some worry free time. I know how darn hard it is to not think constantly about new information. I hope you can find some peace as you learn more.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • angelsbaby
    angelsbaby Member Posts: 1,165 Member
    #5
    Kathleen808 said:

    not to worry
    soccermom13,

    I am hoping you get some worry free time. I know how darn hard it is to not think constantly about new information. I hope you can find some peace as you learn more.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Soccermon13
    I agree with kathleen no worries try have a wonderful day.

    michelle
  • soccermom13
    soccermom13 Member Posts: 224
    #6
    Yep decided to not worry until I see the GI/surgeon
    I appreciate the info on how to read the PET scan. The Onc did say that the node was new and lit up the screen (I got copy of the actual scan and can see it - thanks for whoever suggested to get this info) The report says could be inflammatory but can not exclude malignancy due to the degree of uptake and was new compared to a previous PET. So will make the appt and pray for the best. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.
    Hugs!
    Shanna
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #7
    soccermom13 said:

    Yep decided to not worry until I see the GI/surgeon
    I appreciate the info on how to read the PET scan. The Onc did say that the node was new and lit up the screen (I got copy of the actual scan and can see it - thanks for whoever suggested to get this info) The report says could be inflammatory but can not exclude malignancy due to the degree of uptake and was new compared to a previous PET. So will make the appt and pray for the best. Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement.
    Hugs!
    Shanna

    Shanna hope is nothing, try to enjoy the weekend!
    We will send you our best vibes from here! Cheer up!

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