Confusing PET/CT Scan

Discussion Board Forums General Discussion Confusing PET/CT Scan

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  • #61320
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi,
    I also brought up your problem about no uptake for the FDG on your PET/CT ;my radiologist friend said it could happen and just take another one to see what happen.He said false negative for PET is not uncommon,on the other hand ,the same (false positive) is not uncommon can be applied to PET scan too.
    God bless.

    #61319
    marions
    Moderator

    EDH…given the nature of this disease, we so much yearn for definite, postive, answers yet, at times we are left in somewhat of an ambigious state. It takes a toll on us caretakers. Try to relax and let’s put all the energy into positive thoughts.
    Hugs are heading your way,
    Marion

    #61318
    edh
    Member

    Marion,
    Thank you for your thoughtful response. Yes, a CT or MRI should be repeated to provide clarity. I also read that a false negative can occur if the PET/CT was taken a short time after a chemo treatment. I would think that the radiologist would advise that this can occur.

    Please keep us in your prayers. My heart is a little heavy tonight.

    Peace,
    EDH

    #61317
    marions
    Moderator

    EDH…sorry for not answering earlier. Your husband had a “first” PET and eventually will have a second PET. Those comparisons can be made then. For right now a repeat CT or MRI scan should answer some immediate questions. We so much hold on to the physician’s comments that, at times, clarification can change the picture in an instance.
    Hang in there.
    Hugs,
    Marion

    #61316
    pcl1029
    Member

    Hi,
    i do not want to sound stupid,but did your husband recalled the radiology technician did give him the injection 1 hr before the PET/CT scan took place.?
    and did you look at the film or ask the doctor did other places of the body (ie: the bladder area light up too or NOT). the reason is if the other parts of the body lights up and the tumors don’t;that means the technician did give the FDG to your husband;but if there were no parts of the body lighted up, that might mean he did not have the FDG injection.(this is my guess only,)
    So What to do Now?
    I will ask to get another CAT scan with contrast or MRI with contrast to compare with the most recent ones that your husband had, and the oncologist should have a pretty good picture on the tumor.( some large medical centers only used MRI or CAT scan for CCA treatment.)
    God bless.

    #61315
    edh
    Member

    Thanks Marion,
    It wasn’t a new med, it was a new scan. Previously my husband had only had a CT and MRI. The Dr. Ordered for the fist time a PET/CT and the PET/CT register no cancer activity.

    We shared the slides with a 2nd Onc who dismissed the report because no previous PET hand been done.

    Needless to say my husband is very depressed as a result of the 2nd Onc view.

    If there is anyone out there who has had similar findings please advise.

    peace,
    EDH

    #61314
    marions
    Moderator

    EDH…we have seen similar situations in where another course of treatmens followed by scans bring about a clearer picture. Fingers are crossed. Hopefully others will come along and share some of their experiences with us also.
    Hugs,
    Marion

    #6868
    edh
    Member

    As I shared in an earlier post, in November 2011 my husband was diagnosed with I-CC. Condition is stabilized on Gemzarand and cisplatium. Wednesday he had a PET/CT scan. His primary oncologist was confused by the impression: no evidence of FDG-avid disease and (2) large non-FDG-avid heterogeneous mass in left hepatic lobe, similar in size as a previous CT. Differential diagnosis includes treated disease versus non FDG-avid disease.

    Primary oncologist does not know what to make of it. 2nd Oncologist said that because there was no previous PET scan the results are unsure because if the mass lit up before and does not now light up then you could say cancer is inactive, but because there wasn’t a previous PET the results are inconclusive. And there we should stay on chemo.

    Doe anyone have any experience or thought or recommendations on these confused results.

    Also the 2nd Dr. Recommended that we stay the course on chemo, said surgery nor embolization are options for my husband because he has one large mass on the right and two smaller (too small to characterize with PET or CT) spots on the left.
    I praise God that he is stable. But would love better news and better options.

    Any thoughts would be helpful.

    Kris, I am praying for your good success next week. Also I reached out to Dr. Kato’s office, have not heard back. Will call again on Tuesday.
    I am praying for all. Stay strong and keep the faith.

    EDH

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