PET/CT Scan vs Colonoscopy

grammadebbie
grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I could sure use some input.

 

Diagnosed Stage IIIc Colon Cancer 2007    surgery and   chemo

PET Scan 2 weeks ago showed "Findings are suspicious for 2 areas of active malignancy in the sigmoid colon.

1st focal uptake near anastomotic site measuring at least 2.1 cm max SUV of 9.1

There is another hypermetabolic focus superior to this with a maximum SUV of 14.2 measuring up to 2.5. 

Colonoscopy yesterday.  Dr says everything looks good.  He didn't see any of the above.  He did take a biopsy of the anastomotic site that looked irratated.  Only other thought was that it could be growing on the outer wall of the colon and he wouldn't see that. 

I read that PET/CT is the best indicator of malignancy compared to colonoscopy.

Any insights or suggestions?  Appreciate you thoughts or experience .

 

Blessings, 

 

Debbie

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • Real Tar Heel
    Real Tar Heel Member Posts: 307 Member
    #2
    Colonoscopy is best at

    Colonoscopy is best at finding polyps before they become malignant tumors. Pet/CT/MRI are better at finding tumors or hot spots that might be tumors. But if there is a tumor inside your colon, the doctor will surely find it with the scope.

    "Findings are suspicious" "Worrying for malignancy" etc are the kinds of phrases you will see on your reports from scans where the person reading the scan sees something they can't readily identify. I've had a "worrying" cyst in the same place for every scan I've ever had. I've also had one appear and disappear, onc called it a "little dot."

    For now, things sound good for you. Wait for the biopsy result. If they are worried, they will order an MRI for further confirmation. Good luck.

  • worriedson714
    worriedson714 Member Posts: 333 Member
    #3
    Colonoscopy is much better

    I can only base my opinion of what has been going on with my dad and everytime he has a pet scan/ct scan he has uptake that's " worrying " . At one point they even thought the pet scan/ct scan showed spread to his abdominal lining then it turned out to be wrong . Now my dad does have NF which means he has tons of little cysts or fibroma's as they call them everywhere that sends his doctors down the wrong path but still . For my dad pet scan/ct scans has caused so much stress and worry that has usually turned out to be nothing . Even now my dad has uptake in spots and doctors seem almost afriad to check out further cause they could be wrong . So I have to say colonoscopy is a much better want to find something imo. 

    If I was you I would be happy with the results for now as you wait for the biospy and wouldn't worry about the pet/ct scan good luck . 

  • Diane_K
    Diane_K Member Posts: 84 Member
    edited March 2021 #4
    Hi Debbie,

    Hi Debbie,

    A couple of years ago my CEA level increased a bit so my oncologist ordered a PET scan.  The scan showed two areas of focal uptake in my colon.  Like you I then had a colonoscopy, and my gastroenterologist was confident that there wasn't cancer in my colon.  He took biopsies of the two areas and they were negative.  My oncologist said irritation in the colon can show up on PET scans.  The following year I asked for a follow up colonoscopy just to make sure.

    Best wishes.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    edited March 2021 #5
    Colonoscopy

    Glad to hear that everything came out good with the colonoscopy, but wait for the results of the biopsy like others have said.  I'm sure your doctor would have told you if he thought that spot looked suspicious but the results will tell.  Wishing you the best outcome, and please let us know what they are.

    Kim

  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    edited April 2021 #6
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Colonoscopy

    Glad to hear that everything came out good with the colonoscopy, but wait for the results of the biopsy like others have said.  I'm sure your doctor would have told you if he thought that spot looked suspicious but the results will tell.  Wishing you the best outcome, and please let us know what they are.

    Kim

    Cancer Return?

    Well friends,  The Pet Scan showed to probable malignancies that they thought were back in the colon.  Had colonoscopy and it was completely clear.  Saw oncologist yesterday and I was shocked.  He said I needed surgery ASAP and that the cancer must be on the outside of the colon or close to the original site.  Referred me to a Colorectal Surgeon and said they would have to open me up and take it out and if it is on the colon do a resection and/or take it out wherever it is.  At this point it is unknown and the only option is open surgery.  I also got authorization from my insurance company to go to Mayo Clinic in AZ.  Just waiting till next week to hear back from Mayo to get appointment.  Will also see the Colorectal Surgeon here in Las Vegas to see what he says.  So confused.  I thought the clear colonoscopy was a good thing.

  • Real Tar Heel
    Real Tar Heel Member Posts: 307 Member
    #7
    Sorry to hear the news. At

    Sorry to hear the news. At least you're headed to a top facility for treatment, and that surgery is an option is "good" news.

  • grammadebbie
    grammadebbie Member Posts: 464
    #8
    Real Tar Heel said:

    Sorry to hear the news. At

    Sorry to hear the news. At least you're headed to a top facility for treatment, and that surgery is an option is "good" news.

    Thank you

    Thank you for your support.  really appreciate it!

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