PET-CT SCAN, MRI -Looking for Input

DJG1
DJG1 Member Posts: 121
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I know many here are quite educated on the differenes of the Pet, vs the CT, vs MRI. I know how each is performed and how it looks at area. My questions is regarding "False reads". I finsihed treatment in November, and now have another lump on my left neck. I see the ENT on Monday and suspect he will order some test. I am curious which of these options would be the best test for obtaining the "real problem". I do realize the Pet Scan would show any spread of diease to other areas, but may also show False reads in the area that was treated. Does the CT and MRI scan also have a history of "False Reads",. Any help would be greatly appreciated. As Reference, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 right tonsil cancer last year. Had three teeth extracted, both tonsils removed, and partial neck dissection (right side)in August, with rad treatment completed in NOV. It is important for me to be as educated as possible before having discussion with ENT. Any information you could share would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #2
    PET or MRI

    Sorry to hear this might be back, Every time I do a PET my doctor also orders the MRI. Like you said the PET can show a false reading but I think the MRI is a more defined way of seeing what is really there in a general location. As the PET looks at the hold body the MRI looks at a smaller part of the body that might be in question.

    Hope this helps
    Hondo
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #3
    PET/MRI
    Sorry to hear of this suspicious lump you've found. Hope it turns out to be nothing serious. I have just gone through all this with the PET and MRI. I had my 1st post treatment PET/CT scan a few weeks ago, 7 months out from base of tongue rads/chemo. A hot spot showed up on the PET/CT which they interpreted as residual cancer in the same spot as the original cancer tumor.


    I opted for getting 2nd and 3rd opinions and specifically mentioned my concerns about false positives on the PET/CT. For some unknown reason(s), head and neck cancers especially base of tongue are more susceptible to showing false positives post treatment. They recommended getting an MRI to further evaluate the PET/CT hot spot. On researching MRI's, I came across this info: "MRI can be particularly useful for showing whether tissue left behind after treatment is tumor or not."

    The MRI did not corroborate the findings of my PET/CT scan. Surgery was initially discussed until the MRI results came in. That has now been postponed and I have another PET/CT scan is scheduled for early May.

    Hope this helps. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #4
    Jimbo55 said:

    PET/MRI
    Sorry to hear of this suspicious lump you've found. Hope it turns out to be nothing serious. I have just gone through all this with the PET and MRI. I had my 1st post treatment PET/CT scan a few weeks ago, 7 months out from base of tongue rads/chemo. A hot spot showed up on the PET/CT which they interpreted as residual cancer in the same spot as the original cancer tumor.


    I opted for getting 2nd and 3rd opinions and specifically mentioned my concerns about false positives on the PET/CT. For some unknown reason(s), head and neck cancers especially base of tongue are more susceptible to showing false positives post treatment. They recommended getting an MRI to further evaluate the PET/CT hot spot. On researching MRI's, I came across this info: "MRI can be particularly useful for showing whether tissue left behind after treatment is tumor or not."

    The MRI did not corroborate the findings of my PET/CT scan. Surgery was initially discussed until the MRI results came in. That has now been postponed and I have another PET/CT scan is scheduled for early May.

    Hope this helps. Cheers

    Jimbo

    Good discussion over at OCF
    Sorry i tried three times to make a link and it's just not happenening. Copy and paste it, it should answer your questions. Or go over to OCF and search for the thread CT/MRI/PET

    "http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=128744&Searchpage=6&Main=11488&Words=which+scan&Search=true#Post128744"
  • DJG1
    DJG1 Member Posts: 121
    #5
    ratface said:

    Good discussion over at OCF
    Sorry i tried three times to make a link and it's just not happenening. Copy and paste it, it should answer your questions. Or go over to OCF and search for the thread CT/MRI/PET

    "http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=128744&Searchpage=6&Main=11488&Words=which+scan&Search=true#Post128744"

    Ratface, Jimbo, Hondo
    Thanks for your response. A couple of questions: Jimbo and Hondo, Is it possible to just start with a MRI? I just hate being poked, pushed, and treated like an animal in doing all these tests. Would prfer to do only what is absolulty necessary, not to mention the cost associated it all. Ratface: had no success with the link, maybe my computer; what is OCF and where is it. Sorry to sound so stupid on all this guys, but thanks for your information.
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #6
    DJG1 said:

    Ratface, Jimbo, Hondo
    Thanks for your response. A couple of questions: Jimbo and Hondo, Is it possible to just start with a MRI? I just hate being poked, pushed, and treated like an animal in doing all these tests. Would prfer to do only what is absolulty necessary, not to mention the cost associated it all. Ratface: had no success with the link, maybe my computer; what is OCF and where is it. Sorry to sound so stupid on all this guys, but thanks for your information.

    Understand
    I may be wrong but the easy way I understand why my doctors do pet scan first is that the IV we get helps show hot spots. When or if there are hot spots they do an MRI to get a more detailed look to decide if it is scar tissue or possible cancer. Helps them make a choice to do surgery or not.

    OCF to me is Oral Cancer Foundation

    John
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #7
    fisrpotpe said:

    Understand
    I may be wrong but the easy way I understand why my doctors do pet scan first is that the IV we get helps show hot spots. When or if there are hot spots they do an MRI to get a more detailed look to decide if it is scar tissue or possible cancer. Helps them make a choice to do surgery or not.

    OCF to me is Oral Cancer Foundation

    John

    trying it again
    I'm so sorry as I was out the door on the way to the dentist. I'm a reguler there. OCF is the oral cancer foundation website, another great resource with great people.

    CT/MRI/PET
  • DJG1
    DJG1 Member Posts: 121
    #8
    ratface said:

    trying it again
    I'm so sorry as I was out the door on the way to the dentist. I'm a reguler there. OCF is the oral cancer foundation website, another great resource with great people.

    CT/MRI/PET

    Thank you Ratface. I have
    Thank you Ratface. I have found that site will do some research there also.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #9
    fisrpotpe said:

    Understand
    I may be wrong but the easy way I understand why my doctors do pet scan first is that the IV we get helps show hot spots. When or if there are hot spots they do an MRI to get a more detailed look to decide if it is scar tissue or possible cancer. Helps them make a choice to do surgery or not.

    OCF to me is Oral Cancer Foundation

    John

    I agree John
    The PET is done first to look for hot spots then the MRI is done to get a better look at what they are seeing. My PET lit up a spot in my head but the MRI showed nothing there.

    Total cost for the PET is $4,596. MRI is another $ 4,699. They make there money

    Hondo
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #10
    Crud
    No info on the pros/cons of PET/MRI/CT scans. Just wishing you could have gotten a "clear" clear report, instead of the "more wait and worry" report. Hope the testing method you and docs choose is speedy and positive.
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #11
    PET/MRI
    I am with John and Hondo on this one, PET first.

    Not all doctors will utilize the MRI. My PET/CT came back with a hot spot, 2 doctors recommended an MRI, 2 doctors didn't see the need for it. Go figure.

    The cost for my PET/CT came to about $1500 and the MRI was $900-$1000. Quite a difference. Cheers

    Jimbo
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #12
    Jimbo55 said:

    PET/MRI
    I am with John and Hondo on this one, PET first.

    Not all doctors will utilize the MRI. My PET/CT came back with a hot spot, 2 doctors recommended an MRI, 2 doctors didn't see the need for it. Go figure.

    The cost for my PET/CT came to about $1500 and the MRI was $900-$1000. Quite a difference. Cheers

    Jimbo

    I checked
    I checked out the cost of my scans and they were between 1200-1600. Hondo hope you did not have to pay that big amount.

    John
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #13
    To Pet your CT or MRI it....
    Actually during my history, it all started with a CT, and I had one about every 3 - 4 months for the first year and a half post treatment and one during (with two PET thrown in also). To my knowledge I have never had an MRI.

    My last PET scan was $7,650 before insurance, $550 cost to me....

    JG

Discussion Boards