Another Question/Complaint on the PET scan

[mercyriver]

I was just browsing through the archives on TC-NET and read several places you are not supposed to have a PET scan until at least 6 weeks after chemo.

My husband had his 1 week after.

This is what I read.

"You can't have a PET scan until you are six weeks past the end of chemo. If
you do the PET scan too soon, inflammatory changes from the chemo may result
in a false negative (i.e., the inflammation soaks up all the FDG, leaving
nothing for the tumors to soak up if they are still active)."

and

A PET scan has to wait until at least 6 weeks after the end of chemo, maybe
longer in your case due to the amount of chemo. Chemo causes inflammatory
changes that soak up FDG. You have to give the body time to recover from the
chemo, so that the inflammation won't soak up all the FDG. Otherwise, you'll
have false positives from the inflammation and false negatives at any
locations of potential active cancer.


Considering the PET scan report said that there was mild diffuse marrow uptake consistant with chemotherapy......

Ugh.

I know I may be seeming like a bother with my constant gonging, for what may seem like nothing. But I still have that nagging intuition telling me something isn't right.

The only problem is to convince my husband to mention this to his Dr would require a medical artical from a journal or trusted web site.

I supposes I really shouldn't be to concerned. He is supposed to have another PET in June....I think...maybe that was just a CT.

Either way I still do not think our oncologist is very competant and my husband needs a new one. But with out anything solid to back me up, I hold no water to my husband.

Thanks again for your time.

Becki

[mercyriver]

The PET was a PET/CT. It showed the lymph nodes were now 1.1cm x 0.5cm and 1.8cm x 1.0cm. Under the 2cm threshold, but over the 1cm threshold.

So it would have been a compleat neck to mid thigh check. No chest x-ray was done.

No check for markers have been done since December, I am guessing because they were not elevated before chemo he hasn't seen a reason to check them since? I am hoping they will be checking this month.

I really don't know how my husband can be happy with a Oncologist that doesn't follow protocol. As I have said before, my husband hardly trusts anyone....it is almost a first that he wouldn't be reading up about his cancer treatment, but he doesn't.

Anyhow, enough with the rambling.

Becki

[wannalive]

Hi
I remember PET was not conclusive for non-seminoma
and even for seminoma it is good for bigger masses, (>3cm ?)

as far as I know, PET is not considered as a big indicator at the moment
better check pub-med yourself

I had mine 1 month after last cycle, 1 week is really quick

I didn't have markers as well but they check my blood regularly
ups I had PALP positive but the problem was actually non-seminoma part
which was not known until surgery

keep your checks regular and you can catch any re-development
but not overwhelmed with it, this is highly curable cancer after all

[Karen]

Becki,
You are part of this "family", and you are not rambling and you are not a bother....please believe this!!!! We are all here for you either with information or emotional support. I can't opine (I hate that word...why did I use it?) on the PET timing except to say one week seems WAY too early. Please ask, vent, and hang in there!
Hugs,
Karen

[DAWN82]

Im New At This Site....

HELLO ALL,
on april 18th 2006 my fiance was diagnosed with stage III testicular cancer.
he has now completed his 4th cycle of chemo! is doing great with it (actually, hes better now then before he started the chemo) his markers are down to 23(hcg) they were EXTREMLEY high before the chemo. he has great dr.'s at Memorial Sloan Kettering and has to go back for 2 more Bleo shots and then gets a ct- scan on the 26th. lets hope his markers and 0! and the ct-scan is good. then he will have his RPLND probably the beginning of august.

i have to say it is nice to hear of people who know what i am going through. i just wish it was all a dream and i will soon wake up and Brian can be healthy again so we can start to plan our wedding and live our lives toghether. i have been speaking to Margaret from this site and she has been a wonderful help!. can anyone out there tell me what to expect next with everything?

Dawn

[Margaret]

First of all Becki, you are doing such a good job pushing your hubby to get the best care and I am glad you are researching everything. The PET scan does seem too soon to me also, have you considered asking your doc, maybe there is a reason that none of us can see that he feels is important. I would start there. In the end, we are all in charge of our own health and I say YOU are your husband's greatest cheering section.

Secondly...Hi Dawn. I am so happy to see you hear and posting. If you can , provide more info about Brian so the wonderful folks here can help you more than I have been. They really know their stuff!! Keep coming here, get all your questions out and share your feelings, I know you are going through a tough time, but it will help...promise.