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Joan M · 11-14-2009, 08:28 AM

Tricia,

I'm sorry that you're having to deal with the uncertainty of an inconclusive MRI and to wait for a PET/CT. I'm praying that since the MRI was inconclusive, there's a chance that the PET/CT will show nothing of significance.

An MRI shows morphology, and a radiologist reading the scan can describe the area in question. A PET/CT shows metabolic activity, which is greater for cancer cells. In general, an area that lights up when the standard uptake value of the radioactive tracer is 3.0 or greater is suspicious for cancer. However, there are other reasons that can cause the SUV to be at least 3.0. For example, the spot in my lung was higher than SUV 6.0, but the results of my latest lung surgery showed a fungal infection, not cancer. Tuberculosis can also light up on PET/CT, and there are probably other circumstances, too.

Sending you hugs,

Joan

11-14-2009, 08:28 AM	#8
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: MRI Inconclusive Tricia, I'm sorry that you're having to deal with the uncertainty of an inconclusive MRI and to wait for a PET/CT. I'm praying that since the MRI was inconclusive, there's a chance that the PET/CT will show nothing of significance. An MRI shows morphology, and a radiologist reading the scan can describe the area in question. A PET/CT shows metabolic activity, which is greater for cancer cells. In general, an area that lights up when the standard uptake value of the radioactive tracer is 3.0 or greater is suspicious for cancer. However, there are other reasons that can cause the SUV to be at least 3.0. For example, the spot in my lung was higher than SUV 6.0, but the results of my latest lung surgery showed a fungal infection, not cancer. Tuberculosis can also light up on PET/CT, and there are probably other circumstances, too. Sending you hugs, Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!! Last edited by Joan M; 11-14-2009 at 08:36 AM..