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Becky · 11-23-2008, 07:06 PM

Dear Courtney

It is certainly true that healing can cause some spots to light up on a Pet scan. This is because (like cancer) healing is also rapidly dividing cells. Not as fast as cancer but the cells are reproducing (in a normal way) to fill in the gaps that the cancer took up. Since the chemo kills the cancer then the body has to try to fill in that void.

Also, healing causes some inflammation that draws white blood cells to the area to protect it while building tissue. This also causes Pet scans to light up. This is why arthitis lights up on Pet scans too.

Relax for now and enjoy the no chemo zone. Pet scans light up for alot of reasons. If you're not sure, call and ask to speak to the radiologist who read the scan and ask for a copy of the full report (which you should have anyway for your records).

I am sure all is well.

11-23-2008, 07:06 PM	#2
Becky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockton, NJ Posts: 4,179	Dear Courtney It is certainly true that healing can cause some spots to light up on a Pet scan. This is because (like cancer) healing is also rapidly dividing cells. Not as fast as cancer but the cells are reproducing (in a normal way) to fill in the gaps that the cancer took up. Since the chemo kills the cancer then the body has to try to fill in that void. Also, healing causes some inflammation that draws white blood cells to the area to protect it while building tissue. This also causes Pet scans to light up. This is why arthitis lights up on Pet scans too. Relax for now and enjoy the no chemo zone. Pet scans light up for alot of reasons. If you're not sure, call and ask to speak to the radiologist who read the scan and ask for a copy of the full report (which you should have anyway for your records). I am sure all is well. __________________ Kind regards Becky Found lump via BSE Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45 1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side) 2 micromets to sentinel node Stage 2A left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg lumpectomies 9/7/04 4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol Used Leukine instead of Neulasta 35 rads on right side only 4/05 started Tamoxifen Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations Oophorectomy 8/05 Started Arimidex 9/05 Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06 Arimidex Only Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia NED 18 years! Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"