Question about "SUV max" level

Gazebo78
Gazebo78 Member Posts: 15
in Anal Cancer #1

I recently had a PET scan to rule out a recurrence of throat cancer.  I am a 4-year survivor of base tongue/lymph node cancer who is experiencing radionecrosis in my jaw due to the heavy radiation.  The PET scan was to rule out recurrence before we discussed other treatment options.

The scan came back clear for my head and neck area as well as the lungs which is a common place for metastisis.  But the report identified another remote issue that has never showed up on previous scans.  They found a lesion in my lower rectum and an "area of activity" where the bladder/prostate meet the mesorectum and lower rectum.  No tumor was identified but they noted that "the area has an SUV max of 11" with undetermined cause.   It does not note any specific "hypermetabolic" mass or tumor. But this causes me concern because the SUV max for my primary base tongue tumor and involved lymph nodes a few years ago ranged from 14-16.7 and was subsequently diagnosed as Stage 4b.  I was very fortunate to survive that non-operable tumor.

My oncologist is on vacation for another 11 days so I have to wait for his interpretation.  In the meantime, does anybody out there have any insight into the usefulness of this result?  I don't want to stress unnecessarily, but that number seems high to me.  

Thanks for any insights or education you can share.

Jim 

 

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Jim

    I'm sorry that I can't offer any information to you on this and that you are having an anxious wait until your doctor returns.  I will only say that PET scan picked up my anal tumor in 2008.  Without going to my files, I don't recall the SUV on that scan.  I hope your doctor will be able to explain it all to you and that it turns out to be something other than cancer.

    Martha

  • Mollymaude
    Mollymaude Member Posts: 431 Member
    #3
    Jim

    I can't help with the answer either but if I were you I would call the oncology group your oncologist is with and ask to speak with whoever is covering for him. Eleven days is too long to worry. Hopefully you can get some answers now and then follow up with your regular doctor when he gets back.

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