PET Scan: no cancer return, but what does all that "other stuff" mean?

Mskaybee
Mskaybee Member Posts: 3
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

We (hubby and I) just got back results from what we've learned would be his last PET scan (4 years out from radiation and chemo).  the doc was very pleased with the results and told us to come back in a year, for a final visit.  He said the chances of his larengeal cancer returning is about 0%, which certainly sounds like pretty good odds. 

the doc is good, obviously, but he spent about 2 minutes with us (after traveling 2.5 hrs one way for the appt) and I wanted to know about the "other" stuff on the test and what it means but he was out the door before we could ask.

Anyone have any clue what this stuff means?  It doesnt sound like good stuff but no one is concerned (?!)  Not cancer related, apparently, but still!!

Thanks everyone!

Low dose noncontrast CT findings: Rightward nasal septum deviation.
Atherosclerotic calcification of the coronary arteries and the aorta
and its branch vessels. Incidental note is made of a bovine arch.
Stable centrilobular/paraseptal emphysema, worse at the apices.
Stable prior gastrostomy tube tract. Mildly enlarged prostate
containing calcification. Degenerative change of the spine and
shoulders with mild associated FDG activity in the right shoulder.
Stable ectatic upper abdominal aorta at the crus measures 3.4 cm.


 

Comments

  • robswife87
    robswife87 Member Posts: 209
    #2
    Does not sound bad

    Has a deviated septum, sounds like a little calcification of the coronary possible diet change neededor some scarring from rads. Sounds like he has some emphesema. Smoker? Prostate sounds okay. His age? A lot of this sounds just age related normal stuff. Arthritis sounds like spine and shoulders. 

    He is cancer free, rejoice.

    Sandy

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    the only one of these that is important is this:

    Stable ectatic upper abdominal aorta at the crus measures 3.4 cm.

     

    Crap, now I can't change the font, so I have to type this little bitty type.  The rest of it is not medically important.  The aneurism is something that will need to be ffollowed, probably by ultrasoud.  It is well below the threshold for interrvention, but if it gets larger it will need repaired.  What the aneurism is, is a weakness in the wall of the major blood  vessel in the abdomen, which allolws the vessel to ballooon outward.  As we age, a certain percent of us get these, and when big enough they can rupture.  This is not something to be worried about, just to be aware of.

     

    Pat

  • Mskaybee
    Mskaybee Member Posts: 3
    #4
    robswife87 said:

    Does not sound bad

    Has a deviated septum, sounds like a little calcification of the coronary possible diet change neededor some scarring from rads. Sounds like he has some emphesema. Smoker? Prostate sounds okay. His age? A lot of this sounds just age related normal stuff. Arthritis sounds like spine and shoulders. 

    He is cancer free, rejoice.

    Sandy

    thank you Sandy!  Yes, he is

    thank you Sandy!  Yes, he is a former smoker, hence the emphesema i suppose.  He's 53...and still cancer free!  yes, reoice indeed! :-)

  • Mskaybee
    Mskaybee Member Posts: 3
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    the only one of these that is important is this:

    Stable ectatic upper abdominal aorta at the crus measures 3.4 cm.

     

    Crap, now I can't change the font, so I have to type this little bitty type.  The rest of it is not medically important.  The aneurism is something that will need to be ffollowed, probably by ultrasoud.  It is well below the threshold for interrvention, but if it gets larger it will need repaired.  What the aneurism is, is a weakness in the wall of the major blood  vessel in the abdomen, which allolws the vessel to ballooon outward.  As we age, a certain percent of us get these, and when big enough they can rupture.  This is not something to be worried about, just to be aware of.

     

    Pat

    Hi Pat, the font is just

    Hi Pat, the font is just fine!  I had a feeling that part about the anyeurism was a bit of a concern, i had not seen it on previous PET scans.  I appreciate this info! Im not a health care professional and didnt have a clue.  Goggling was just confusing.   I wish they'd take the time to explain everything to you...but they don't...  thanks again.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    does anyone know what FDG

    does anyone know what FDG activity is?

    dj

  • jackflash22
    jackflash22 Member Posts: 524 Member
    #7
    debbiejeanne said:

    does anyone know what FDG

    does anyone know what FDG activity is?

    dj

    definition

    Could be flipping damn good ....report

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    jackflash22 said:

    definition

    Could be flipping damn good ....report

    LOL JF.....

    the more I get to know you, I see your humor is right up there with a few others here....I still giggle about the Dentist following you around in your dreams...

    p

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #9
    debbiejeanne said:

    does anyone know what FDG

    does anyone know what FDG activity is?

    dj

    FDG is

     [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, the radiolabeled glucose that they do the PET scan with.  It simplly means there is some uptake in the area being discussed.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #10
    longtermsurvivor said:

    FDG is

     [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, the radiolabeled glucose that they do the PET scan with.  It simplly means there is some uptake in the area being discussed.

    thx pat, but now, what is

    thx pat, but now, what is uptake?  anything 2 worry about?

    dj

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #11
    debbiejeanne said:

    thx pat, but now, what is

    thx pat, but now, what is uptake?  anything 2 worry about?

    dj

    uptake means that the glucose is being used

    in this area faster than in the surrouding tissue.  In this case the uptake is mild.  Not the severe uptake seen in cancer, but much less, seen in inflammation.  Many things do this, nothing to worry about.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #12
    longtermsurvivor said:

    uptake means that the glucose is being used

    in this area faster than in the surrouding tissue.  In this case the uptake is mild.  Not the severe uptake seen in cancer, but much less, seen in inflammation.  Many things do this, nothing to worry about.

    thank you!
    dj

    thank you!

    dj

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