PET scans

sgamtd · July 2009

I was recntly diagnosed with breastcancer in my right breast,and am now waiting for more tests due to something in my left breast, and swollen lymphnode left side. Will have MRI and mammogram again this week. Since leaving the doctor's office I heard that a PET scan detects cancer, and am wondering why they are not used instead ?
Thank you

dyaneb123 · July 2009

Hey There Sgamtd and welcome
Hey There Sgamtd and welcome to the site
The other ladies may correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the MRI is specific to the breast area and gives the Onc. a 3D look at the breast. The PET looks at the whole body looking for hot spots in the nearby organs as well. You will probably have a PET before surgery .
Dee

Akiss4me · July 2009

Dee is correct...
and to also add...PET/CT scan is extremely outragously expensive to do. So most insurances, etc. want the Breast MRI run first. Depending on findings, PET/CT scans are not always done. And trust me....their no fun either!!

Pammy

Akiss4me · July 2009

Dee is correct...
and to also add...PET/CT scan is extremely outragously expensive to do. So most insurances, etc. want the Breast MRI run first. Depending on findings, PET/CT scans are not always done. And trust me....their no fun either!!

Pammy

Christmas Girl · July 2009

Welcome, sgamtd!
A couple of our wise members, ever willing to assist, have already answered your specific question. We're all here to support and encourage each other. Visit us often, whenever you'd like or need to.

sgamtd · July 2009

Akiss4me said:
Dee is correct...
and to also add...PET/CT scan is extremely outragously expensive to do. So most insurances, etc. want the Breast MRI run first. Depending on findings, PET/CT scans are not always done. And trust me....their no fun either!! Pammy

pet scans
Thanks for filling me in (Dee and Akiss) I am new to cancer tests and treatments, just happen to hear about it. I have medicare and a supplement insurance so I am sure that is not gonna be an option anyway if it is so expensive. I have never had a scan except dexa scan for osteoporosis and the ultrasound which maybe is called a scan. so new subject for me there too. How is it done and why is it no fun ? I have only had mammogram (no fun) ultrasound (was ok) and would like to know about the MRI, does belong in the "no fun" group.
An idle mind is a dangerous thing, I dont go for MRI until wednesday, but I can't help but wonder, after the biopsy report says cancer, and in my case lympectomy,with removal of at least one lymphnode, maybe more, depends on results. and if a pet scan was done we would know if it spread or not and wouldn't need to do more surgery and no chemo or radiation, all that must have a big price tag too

Akiss4me · July 2009

sgamtd said:
pet scans
Thanks for filling me in (Dee and Akiss) I am new to cancer tests and treatments, just happen to hear about it. I have medicare and a supplement insurance so I am sure that is not gonna be an option anyway if it is so expensive. I have never had a scan except dexa scan for osteoporosis and the ultrasound which maybe is called a scan. so new subject for me there too. How is it done and why is it no fun ? I have only had mammogram (no fun) ultrasound (was ok) and would like to know about the MRI, does belong in the "no fun" group.
An idle mind is a dangerous thing, I dont go for MRI until wednesday, but I can't help but wonder, after the biopsy report says cancer, and in my case lympectomy,with removal of at least one lymphnode, maybe more, depends on results. and if a pet scan was done we would know if it spread or not and wouldn't need to do more surgery and no chemo or radiation, all that must have a big price tag too

Your Insurance will cover
also, I found no fun on the PET/CT scan because 24hrs prior you have to eat strictly an all protein diet (I had a huge piece of chicken breast all day) and you had to consume 8 glass of water. Then when you get there....you get to drink 2 more glasses of yukey stuff. So it went on my no fun list. Worse thing...I can look forward to more of them in my future.
The Breast MRI wasn't bad. As long as you don't mind needles as they do have to put a catheter in your arm to inject a contrast during the test. The hardest part is laying still with your arms above your head like you are swimming. If you move, they will see 4 boobies instead of 2 and will need to rerun the test (not neccessarily that same day as they have a schedule to keep). So I wouldn't exactly say no fun list on this one.

Pammy

TraciInLA · July 2009

Christmas Girl said:
Welcome, sgamtd!
A couple of our wise members, ever willing to assist, have already answered your specific question. We're all here to support and encourage each other. Visit us often, whenever you'd like or need to.

My oncologist ordered a PET/CT for me after my biopsies and before my surgery, and offhandedly mentioned, "but it probably won't even pick up the breast tumors we already know you have."

Whaaaat? Then why the #$%*& are we doing this? He explained that PET scans are not good at all at detecting cancer in the breasts, but are used to see if the cancer has spread to any other organs.

And my experience was much easier than Pammy's. I only had to follow a no-carbs, no-dairy, no-sugar diet from 3:00 the afternoon before the test, so I treated myself to a nice piece of grilled salmon and roasted asparagus from a nearby restaurant for dinner, and felt very healthy and virtuous. :-)

Before the test, I didn't have to drink anything -- they gave me an IV, and then I was forced to relax for 45 minutes in a comfy recliner in a quiet room with a heated blankie. If only they would have given me a pedicure at the same time -- I would have been in heaven!

Traci

DianeBC · July 2009

TraciInLA said:
My oncologist ordered a PET/CT for me after my biopsies and before my surgery, and offhandedly mentioned, "but it probably won't even pick up the breast tumors we already know you have."

Whaaaat? Then why the #$%*& are we doing this? He explained that PET scans are not good at all at detecting cancer in the breasts, but are used to see if the cancer has spread to any other organs.

And my experience was much easier than Pammy's. I only had to follow a no-carbs, no-dairy, no-sugar diet from 3:00 the afternoon before the test, so I treated myself to a nice piece of grilled salmon and roasted asparagus from a nearby restaurant for dinner, and felt very healthy and virtuous. :-)

Before the test, I didn't have to drink anything -- they gave me an IV, and then I was forced to relax for 45 minutes in a comfy recliner in a quiet room with a heated blankie. If only they would have given me a pedicure at the same time -- I would have been in heaven!

Traci

Pet scans are good to have.
Pet scans are good to have. So, if your doctor orders one and your insurance covers it, do it. It will pick up any cancer in the rest of your body, or, at the last, give them a baseline to always use. A little discomfort is worth finding cancer early.

Good luck!

Noel · July 2009

TraciInLA said:
My oncologist ordered a PET/CT for me after my biopsies and before my surgery, and offhandedly mentioned, "but it probably won't even pick up the breast tumors we already know you have."

Whaaaat? Then why the #$%*& are we doing this? He explained that PET scans are not good at all at detecting cancer in the breasts, but are used to see if the cancer has spread to any other organs.

And my experience was much easier than Pammy's. I only had to follow a no-carbs, no-dairy, no-sugar diet from 3:00 the afternoon before the test, so I treated myself to a nice piece of grilled salmon and roasted asparagus from a nearby restaurant for dinner, and felt very healthy and virtuous. :-)

Before the test, I didn't have to drink anything -- they gave me an IV, and then I was forced to relax for 45 minutes in a comfy recliner in a quiet room with a heated blankie. If only they would have given me a pedicure at the same time -- I would have been in heaven!

Traci

I thought they always
I thought they always ordered a PET scan before any surgery. That way, they know if there is cancer elsewhere and it might affect your treatment.

sgamtd · July 2009

Noel said:
I thought they always
I thought they always ordered a PET scan before any surgery. That way, they know if there is cancer elsewhere and it might affect your treatment.

Pet Scans/MRI
Thank to you all who answered, one more question, if I may please ? I am going for MRI and mammogram tomorrow and never had a MRI before. I looked up MRI and first word is Magnetic, and since I have a vivid imagination I pictured my stent in my left coronary artery being ripped out by a giant magnet, and that would probably not be so good for me, but kidding aside, amyone had MRI and have a stent too ?
My doctor knows I have a stent, so I suppose I am safe. Hate to call her office every time another question pop up.

tommaseena · July 2009

sgamtd said:
Pet Scans/MRI
Thank to you all who answered, one more question, if I may please ? I am going for MRI and mammogram tomorrow and never had a MRI before. I looked up MRI and first word is Magnetic, and since I have a vivid imagination I pictured my stent in my left coronary artery being ripped out by a giant magnet, and that would probably not be so good for me, but kidding aside, amyone had MRI and have a stent too ?
My doctor knows I have a stent, so I suppose I am safe. Hate to call her office every time another question pop up.

stents
Stents are not metal. They are usually titanium or some material like that. The technician will ask you questions again before having the MRI.

Good luck tomorrow.

Margo

susie09 · July 2009

tommaseena said:
stents
Stents are not metal. They are usually titanium or some material like that. The technician will ask you questions again before having the MRI.

Good luck tomorrow.

Margo

Good luck with your MRI.
Good luck with your MRI. Like Margo said, stents are not metal. And, everyone should be aware that you have one. Let us know how you do. Also, anytime you have a question, don't be afraid to call your doctor, no matter what. That is what they are there for!

Hugs, Susie

Kylez · July 2009

sgamtd said:
Pet Scans/MRI
Thank to you all who answered, one more question, if I may please ? I am going for MRI and mammogram tomorrow and never had a MRI before. I looked up MRI and first word is Magnetic, and since I have a vivid imagination I pictured my stent in my left coronary artery being ripped out by a giant magnet, and that would probably not be so good for me, but kidding aside, amyone had MRI and have a stent too ?
My doctor knows I have a stent, so I suppose I am safe. Hate to call her office every time another question pop up.

Good luck with your MRI
Good luck with your MRI sgamtd. And, you should always call your doctor if you have a question. I do. lol Let us know how you do!

sgamtd · July 2009

Kylez said:
Good luck with your MRI
Good luck with your MRI sgamtd. And, you should always call your doctor if you have a question. I do. lol Let us know how you do!

scans etc
Hello,
I asked all the wrong questions about MRI's- I should have asked about the noise level.
I was positioned for the MRI, earphones were on me, so I was looking to enjoy and relax while I listened to music or just nap a little since I didn't sleep much the nite before, and had to get up at 6am.
When it started my first thought was that it broke down, then later - they are hammering away trying to fix it, or maybe rescue me, -or take me out while they fix it, -I must be going deaf.
I could hear no music, I was so tense from the noise I am surprised I didn't get a cramp and had to move which was a no-no I was told. I pushed the ball I was told to use if we needed to stop, but apparently the ball was not working because the noise continued and no one came. Once in a while it stopped briefly, and I heard a commercial or two from a radio station, then on again with the noise. It rates right up there with a "no fun" experience although there was no actual pain to my body associated with the MRI.
It's rather funny now, but was not funny while it was happening. Slept like a log last nite though, so something good always can be found in any "no-fun" situation.
My next appt. is a bone scan, on monday, and I go to see my doc on tuesday, with all these scans I am sent to, I am thinking my cancer is much worse than what my biopsy report read way back in June on small lump that said: There is an invasive duct cell carcinoma composed of small tubules and aggregates of cells with moderate size and infrequent mitosis. No evidence of blood vessel or lyphatic invasion seen. Final Diagonis: Invasive Duct Cell Carcinoma, Grade I. Was told it was a common breast cancer, and very treatable, with lumpectomy followed by radiation. This was before all these other tests though.
As you all know one cannot get answers from the person that tells you about your appointments, I just know the mri yesterday was not conclusive, and we dont know about the mammogram results yet, but will discuss with Dr. next week. I am fairly calm about this, but worried a little too, another 5 days waiting I guess is not big deal, and I have the bone scan diversion on Monday to go to. So please DO tell me about a bone scan, any noise ? anything unexpected happening during a bone scan. I have had dexa-scan, and they were ok, just rested and no problems.
I was told a contrast material would be injected, then I come back 4 hrs later for scan, sounds simple enough.
Thanks for all the answers and good wishes, I am grateful this site is here

Noel · July 2009

sgamtd said:
scans etc
Hello,
I asked all the wrong questions about MRI's- I should have asked about the noise level.
I was positioned for the MRI, earphones were on me, so I was looking to enjoy and relax while I listened to music or just nap a little since I didn't sleep much the nite before, and had to get up at 6am.
When it started my first thought was that it broke down, then later - they are hammering away trying to fix it, or maybe rescue me, -or take me out while they fix it, -I must be going deaf.
I could hear no music, I was so tense from the noise I am surprised I didn't get a cramp and had to move which was a no-no I was told. I pushed the ball I was told to use if we needed to stop, but apparently the ball was not working because the noise continued and no one came. Once in a while it stopped briefly, and I heard a commercial or two from a radio station, then on again with the noise. It rates right up there with a "no fun" experience although there was no actual pain to my body associated with the MRI.
It's rather funny now, but was not funny while it was happening. Slept like a log last nite though, so something good always can be found in any "no-fun" situation.
My next appt. is a bone scan, on monday, and I go to see my doc on tuesday, with all these scans I am sent to, I am thinking my cancer is much worse than what my biopsy report read way back in June on small lump that said: There is an invasive duct cell carcinoma composed of small tubules and aggregates of cells with moderate size and infrequent mitosis. No evidence of blood vessel or lyphatic invasion seen. Final Diagonis: Invasive Duct Cell Carcinoma, Grade I. Was told it was a common breast cancer, and very treatable, with lumpectomy followed by radiation. This was before all these other tests though.
As you all know one cannot get answers from the person that tells you about your appointments, I just know the mri yesterday was not conclusive, and we dont know about the mammogram results yet, but will discuss with Dr. next week. I am fairly calm about this, but worried a little too, another 5 days waiting I guess is not big deal, and I have the bone scan diversion on Monday to go to. So please DO tell me about a bone scan, any noise ? anything unexpected happening during a bone scan. I have had dexa-scan, and they were ok, just rested and no problems.
I was told a contrast material would be injected, then I come back 4 hrs later for scan, sounds simple enough.
Thanks for all the answers and good wishes, I am grateful this site is here

Wow, you have really been
Wow, you have really been thru it. Sorry about your MRI. That sounds like a nightmare. The bone scan is quiet, you basically just lay there on your back, so, that is better than the MRI. It just takes awhile. You will do fine!

Hugs to you!

PET scans

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