Pet Scans

[veryworriedmom]

We have been researching Pet Scans after we received a study about them being a more accurate diagnostic tool than CT scans in some instances. The research is interesting and some do show a higher accuracy depending on the type of cancer and site. I haven't seen them mentioned on this site but might have missed it. My feeling is that insurance probably wont cover them as a diagnostic tool and they may not be used in general populations. Has anyone had them or discussed them with your doctors in addition to CT scans? Thanks for all the help and support.

[Russell's Mom]

The UCSF doctors that treated Russell wanted CT scans. Possibly because they are familiar, but they said what mattered was watching for the differences between scans. I asked about a PET scan and said that I was willing to self pay if needed in order to increase the accuracy. They assured me that it was not necessary. I have also heard that the PET is more accurate. Maybe the difference between a Honda and Lexus. You can still get the job done. My guess that it is something that you would have to work with daily in order to fully understand. It will be interesting to see what others have to offer. Take care, Sharon

[veryworriedmom]

On 12/13/06 on this site in the research library section, Karen posted an article about pet scans. Since then there has been more evidence based research showing that Pet scans have detected early stage re occurance where CT hasn't. They compared the errors both in under and over diagnosis and found pet scans to be more accurate. I think your right, they are used more in research and not enough training or use in the general populations. Indiana has written research on them as well as some Canadian cancer centers. I am going to look into the availability of them in our area. Thanks for the info. If anyone is interested I can try to scan the articles and send them.

[Alex_G]

Blue Cross Blue Shield doesn't cover PET scan. I just want to let you know.
According to policy they cover it in case of lung or brain cancer.

Good luck.

[mercyriver]

My husband has had 2 PET scans and has another the start of October. His first was because his Onc wasn't sure if his ever enlarging lymph nodes were cancer or not....by the time we got the PET scan approved (which is a story in itself!)....they lit up bright and were well over 2cm in size. So the dr's knew 100% to start chemo.

A week after chemo was finished they did another, in my opinon and medical litrature, to soon. But it showed no activity.

He goes for another soon to make sure his slowly increasing lymph nodes are not active cancer.

He is pretty much getting PET scans every 6 months. His markers wern't elevated when the cancer returned...so they rely more on the PET scan for him.

It is quite a long story, you could read through all my posts to find it. But it is what we have!

Honestly, I feel the PET scan for us is what get's my husband's treatment and without it he would be in very bad shape right now. But if you have an Oncologist who is on top of things and following protocol you should be OK.

Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

Becki

[Margaret]

Just to add our situation for comparison. Our doc uses CT and Pet scans but more often PET, he feels they are more detailed but I have seen many folks just use CT scans and get great care.

[Russell's Mom]

I'm interested in the seeing the articles if you have them. Can you add them as attachments here? thanks much, Sharon

[mstlyn]

I have been told that for testicular cancer, PET and CT scans work best when they are used together.

[Fed]

The oncology fellow in my lab has told me multiple times that a PET alone is most of the times inconclusive. It is usually combined with either a CT or an MRI to be more accurate.

[veryworriedmom]

I will try and scan them, then I just have to figure out out to send them

[Hopeful]

Pet Scans will only show if you there is 'extra activity' or where there's more amount of cells hanging out together than usual. They are not always complete and wont pick up microscopic or very small tumors or anything like that. m

Like everyone said, you use the Pet Scan in conjunction with the CT scan but rely more on the CT scan or MRI.

My husband had several petscans done, even with his BHCG at 100 but the Petscans came back with no activity because the activity was too small to spot by pet scans. HOwever, they are very helpful if you have dead tumors or nodules and want to see if there's any activity.

patti

[mercyriver]

I should clarify, my husband has always had either a PET/CT combo or a PET scan and a CT right after. Never just a PET scan.


Becki

[veryworriedmom]

We went to see new oncologist today for consult. He agreed that second path report is important and will discuss treatment options further when that comes in however he did want a combination PET/CT scan done which will be done friday. Once he has both path and new scan results we go for next meeting. He also said he always consults either Indiana or Sloan .
I have the pet scan article in PDF and can send it to anyone who wants it by email but in order to post it I have to change the format first.
Thanks to everyone who had input on their experience on pet scans.You are all incredibly helpful and supportive.

[drom]

Alex had one Pet Scan after the chemo while we were waiting for the RPLND. It upset me at the time because it came out of the blue but Dr. Scheinfeld wanted to see what was going on inside. His numbers had been dropping but weren't normal yet. The Pet Scan showed very light possible areas of cancer, it was very vague.

Bottom line after they did the surgery there was no active cancer and the numbers went to 0 so I was always a little skeptical of the Pet but Dr. Scheinfeld wanted it so that is enough for me.



Domenic