PET vs CT scan, which one is better

Hi Goldheart,

I have had both kinds periodically (since 4 + years ago).  In my case the CT is used most of the time, but if they spot something that needs further investigation, they turn to the PET scan.  It is my understanding that the PET scan highlights different cell activity than the CT, and can help further distinguish things like scar tissue vs cancer reoccurance, etc. 

All my best to you & your Mom,

Susan

Ro10 said:

Goldheart

My doctors prefer CAT scans over PET scans, so I have never had  a PET scan.  I know some insurance companies do not approve PETscans for uterine cancer.  Some have fought the insurance companies to get it approved.  Wishing you and yor Mother the best.  In peace and caring.

I have only had CAT scans, never PET.  I keep count of how many I have had as well.  I have a friend who had something like 17 because doctorss would order them for every little thing.  Since it is radiation and can cause cancer, she is very particular when they order them for her.

I've had both and MRIs

MRI is not full body, ct can be. MRI is magnetic resonance not radiation, ct and pet are radiation, and pet uses radioactive material to 'see' busy cancer buggers working in color, red being 'hottest, blue being inactive, or coldest. Check google or Wikipedia for info.

i've had many ct-s and pets, pets are the only ones that picked up active 'hot' tumors with me . Even though they are more cancer producing I feel the cost benefit ratio is worth it for me, as I am Stage IV B grade 3 and everything I try may catch the bad buggers earlier and have a chance of being radiated or operated out, extending my life.

we are all cases of one.

best of luck and God Be With Thee,  which is what Goodbye stands for. I prefer the French AU Revoir, see you soon!

keep on fighting, searching, asking and thinking what may be best for you or your loved one, it is different for each of us, no Rights or Wrongs!

Sara

jazzy1 said:

CT vs. PET

I've had all of them, and must say do prefer for entire body the PET.  Things will light up if mestasized and you'll know if caner or not.  Also, with insurance most will cover CT but PET generally not and quite a bit more expensive.  Check that for costs as might  be a consideration.

Best to you

Jan

I don't mean to hijack the thread but what a thrill to see Jazzy Jan has added some of her wisdom.  I have to say, when I found this site late in my treatment Jan had so much good advice. 

I truly think of you all often and pray for you all.

Goldheart said:

Thanks Jazzy Jan

I've read here that you got tomur blueprint to find out which drugs would suit you (I hope I didn't misread). I am told I can get similar thing done through Caris Life Sciences. For USPC. Did you also go with this centre?

 

 

Yes I had what they call an "assay" which basically grows cultures of the sample cancer cell and as it grows interact with possible chemo drugs to use.  It will come back with a recommendation of the best drugs to use for your treatments.  My GYN oncologist did this in '09 and as well last year. Funny part in '09 had the frontline drugs used -- carboplatin and taxol and '13  assay showed not best option as needed to change taxol to doxil.  Things change over time as more research and clinicals have been out on doxil to see it's a better fit.  Even with my cancer cells being the same from 09 to 13.  Things change.

Is this something your doc will do?  I had cells taken from hysterectomy in  09 and from biopsy last year.  Only a few in the US whom do this setup, plus insurance generally doesn't cover, but in the end they do as out of network. 

Definitely recommend this option as all of my docs recommend this for anyone dealing with cancer.  

Best to you and hope I answered your question,

Jan

jazzy1 said:

Goldheart

Yes I had what they call an "assay" which basically grows cultures of the sample cancer cell and as it grows interact with possible chemo drugs to use.  It will come back with a recommendation of the best drugs to use for your treatments.  My GYN oncologist did this in '09 and as well last year. Funny part in '09 had the frontline drugs used -- carboplatin and taxol and '13  assay showed not best option as needed to change taxol to doxil.  Things change over time as more research and clinicals have been out on doxil to see it's a better fit.  Even with my cancer cells being the same from 09 to 13.  Things change.

Is this something your doc will do?  I had cells taken from hysterectomy in  09 and from biopsy last year.  Only a few in the US whom do this setup, plus insurance generally doesn't cover, but in the end they do as out of network. 

Definitely recommend this option as all of my docs recommend this for anyone dealing with cancer.  

Best to you and hope I answered your question,

Jan

the pet scan enhances the cancer more than the catscan.  the pet scan shows the brighness of the tumors where the catscan doesn't.  when having chemo the cancer cells also starts to fade along with shrinkage. petscans are very expenseive  and the insurance company will only pick up the tab on the petscan once every 3 months.

jazzy1 said:

Denise

Agree with you that PET is the best...and very expensive!!  But....each of us has different health insurance and best to double check with what insurance will/won't cover PRIOR to any scans.  FYI, mine doesn't automatically pick up the tab on PETS every 3 months....I wish!  Much of this is due to our present circumstances and if we had CT first, etc.

We all need insurance, but as well need to work with them.  

Jan

Jazzy,

Glad to see you are doing so well!  Thought I would weigh in here, when we went to doctor Hyman at SK one of the last things he said to us was "make sure you ask for PET scan rather than CT scan because it is less radiation".  I know insurance is a big factor, but thought I would just share what was said.

Nicki