PET scan surprises?

AmyD1310
AmyD1310 Member Posts: 59
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi again, all!

 

I hope you are all doing well! I was wondering if anyone here had anything surprising show up on a PET scan that didn't show up on their CT scan? I have been told by 5 different doctors that my CT scan was clear aside from the original mass and possibly a couple lymph nodes right near it. If that's the case, why is there still a need to do the PET scan? I could really use peace of mind right now, as I feel like all I've done over the last 2+ weeks is stress and worry. Thanks in advance.

 

-Amy

Comments

  • lab guy
    lab guy Member Posts: 27
    #2
    PET scan

    Amy, all I had was a PET scan, never a CT scan. Which doctor ordered the PET scan?

  • AmyD1310
    AmyD1310 Member Posts: 59
    #3
    Radiology

    The order came from the radiologist. Oncology wanted it done too.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited January 2017 #4
    Amy

    I live next door to a wonderful radiologist who is also a dear friend.  When I was first diagnosed and undergoing initial staging that included PET/CT, he told me that the good news about a PET scan is it shows everything and that the bad news about a PET scan is that it shows everything.  I'm sure your doctors are just being cautious and do not want to miss anything.  PET scans are highly sensitive and not only will a PET scan pick up cancer, but also can light up for other reasons.  I found out from my PET scan that I had a benign cyst on one of my kidneys, another one on my spleen, brown fat in my clavicle area (look up brown fat if you're curious as to what that is), and calcified granulomas in my lungs from old histoplasmosis that I never even knew I had.  My point in telling you all of this is that taking an extra measure of caution as not to miss anything is a GOOD thing.  I hope the PET scan will show only the tumor and lymph nodes light up and nothing else.

    Martha 

  • AmyD1310
    AmyD1310 Member Posts: 59
    #5
    Update

    My doctor called with PET scan result and there were no surprises (thank the Lord!)! He had already specified from the ct scan that there could be some lymph node involvement. He said he just sees one lymph node near the original tumor and the tumor itself (which he stated isn't very big). I'm grateful for the support I have received here. I will keep checking in once I start treatment. I hope you are all happy and well today!

     

    -Amy

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited January 2017 #6
    Amy

    This is wonderful news.  Now on to treatment!  You can do this!

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