CAT vs. PET in early diagnosis?

Hi Patrusha,

I had a CAT scan right before my surgery. They wanted to see if they saw spots on any other organ before going in. Mine just showed the tumor in the colon. All other organs ok on the CAT and when they went in. The PET would show if the other "spots" if found might be cancer. I would say maybe ask if they can "Stage" you and how big the tumor. They will tell you if it is in the wall or not. Hopefully not through the wall. I will be sending good vibes your way.

HUGS.

Lisa

Hi Patrusha -

I wish you the best with your upcoming surgery.

The CT gives an anatomic view and the surgeon normally wants that - in part to look for possible mets to lungs, liver, other parts of abdomen and pelvis. But, I am also an example of how the CT can help in other ways.

Based upon my colonsocopy, where they just measure the length to the tumor, it was thought that my tumor was at the top of the descending colon, near the bend to the transverse colon. My colorectal surgeon said that based on the location, he would not do laparoscopic surgery because he tries to be very conservative with cancer and felt that an open procedure would more closely guarantee that he excised everything he needed to (going around the bend can be more difficult with laparoscopic techniques). Then I had the CT. In addition to suggesting a liver met - a true bummer - it also indicated that the colon tumor was actually in the sigmoid colon (apparently my colon has more "squiggles" than most and the tumor was actually lower down.) Based upon that, I became a candidate for a laparoscopic procedure and in fact that is what occurred. Not a walk in the park, but probably a bit easier than an open procedure.

So I think you want the CT for now. Time enough for PETs after surgery, depending upon your results. Generally the radiologist will not talk to you. Hopefully your doctor will call you, although with the Holiday on Tuesday, you might have to wait until Thursday. And the waiting is agony, but at this point you know you have to have surgery anyway. My surgeon referred to these tests as "data gathering". As he said, I want to do surgery within 2 weeks - I don't want an emergency and you having to have the "B Team" do you in the middle of the night, but we also have some time and I would like as much data as I can have available before I actually start the surgery.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Betsy

Patrusha said:

Thanks all for the replies. The CAT scan went well.... though I had to insist the tech call my doctor because she added the chest scan late. He called, she faxed over a copy of the order and he did the additional scan. The tech was really nice, even though he was pushed behind schedule... oh, well. He did the scans based on that yucky berry stuff I had to force down and then he injected the good old iodine for another pass through. I thought he was kidding when he said it would feel like I had to pee!!! LOL!!! Dang I was looking for a toilet!!

Just found out, though, I am scheduled for surgery on Thursday. More on that on another thread. Thanks!

I really embarrassed a tech once...told him it felt like...well...lets just say it felt REALLY good!!!!! He turned all sorts of colors of red..hehehehehe!
Good vibes for Thursday...be gone, beast! AWAY!
You DEFINATELY have the right attitude! (Naked happy dancing lessons are NEXT)!
Hugs, Kathi

Patrusha,
My understanding of it is like this....Do you know what GIS is?
The PET scan is an overlay, like an additional layer of information.
It is overlayed on top of the CT scan. That way they can see if anything suspicious that showed up on the CT scan is indeed cancer. However, it does not really work unless the lesion in question is "active" which usually does not take place unless it is at least 1cm in size. Does that make sense? Well, I hope it helps.
That is why a CT is usually done prior to ordering any PET scans or they are done together. A PET scan is not normally done instead of a CT.
Anyway, good luck with our upcoming surgery and may all your lymph nodes be cancer free!!
Susan.