PET Scan

Mary Jo · 09-17-2006, 06:27 AM

Good Morning Everyone,

After reading many posts I see that a PET scan isn't standard procedure. I always thought everyone had a PET scan (or some type of scan) before treatment began to see if cancer had spread.

I'd like to ask how many of you had a PET or some other type of scan to determine if cancer had spread before beginning treatment? I did. I had a PET scan (no mets found) and an MRI of both breasts (cancer in right) to see if possible cancer in left breast and if more in right breast. The answer was "no" to those questions.

Have a wonderful day all.

Mary Jo

karenann · 09-17-2006, 06:34 AM

Marejo,

I had no scans before I started treatment. I was stage 1, node negative, so that may have been the reason. Since then I have had a bone scan and a brain MRI, with contrast. Both negative, thank the lord.

Hugs,
Karen

doh2pa · 09-17-2006, 07:03 AM

Hi Mary Jo,

I was stage IIA on diagnosis and had a MRI of both breasts but no scans. I did not have a CAT or PET scan till about 18 months later when I found two small lumps on my sternum that turned out to be cancerous. Then I got scans as baseline, followed CAT scans through 6 months of chemo, got PET and CAT scan at the end of treatment. These scans are expensive and lots of things may look suspicious on CAT that turn out to be scar tissue. The PET will confirm active disease, but I think most oncologists do not do them unless they strongly suspect active metastatic disease.

Donna

margo · 09-17-2006, 07:46 AM

My imaging doctor told me that I had a small cancer, but that my cell type could be problem. (She had looked at two of the core biopsies in her lab, before giving me the big news.)

During the following 4 days, my imaging doctor had me fully staged with full-body PET, CT, MRI - abdomen & brain. My Oncologist and team thought I would be a Stage I or II. He stated that Metaplastic BC was rare, and even more rarely HER2. I sensed he thought that she was going a bit overboard.

Well, I am glad she went overboard. With staging complete, I was diagnosed in Stage IV, and treated as such from day 1.

I have a really good team working on my cancer. However, I think the world of Dr. J.

Best Wishes,

Cathya · 09-17-2006, 07:55 AM

Hi;

I think it's standard here in Canada to have scan's initially once diagnosed. Following my surgery but while waiting to see oncologist for the first time I had a bone scan, abdominal ultrasound, and chest x-ray. By chance the mri was schedulated after seeing the onc (which took 6 weeks following surgery which again, is the standard length of time) and the onc found a second tumor during my first visit. Following my chemo, radiation etc. my oncologist had me re-staged and all the tests redone. So far so good. I have also had a brain ct since then too.

Cathy

Colleen007 · 09-17-2006, 08:42 AM

I had a bone scan, MRI's and CT scans when I was diagnosed, but never a PET scan. It was determined not to be necessary since the other scans clearly showed the mets to the bones and liver.

My CT scans can no longer differentiate between scar tissue and remaining cancer in the liver, so I will be having my first PET scan tomorrow...apparently, the glucose stuff that they give you for a PET scan "sticks" to fast growing cells (ie cancer cells), but doesn't stick to scar tissue. Needless to say, I'm in a slight panic that other spots will come to light...but so far, all news I've received in 2006 has been positive and has shown that everything is shrinking, so I am hoping that the positive news streak will continue!

Colleen

Becky · 09-17-2006, 08:56 AM

I was diagnosed Stage IIA. I did not have any scans done even with a positive node and being Her2+. I changed doctors after the first 10 months and my new doctor wanted a bone scan and CTs of the chest, abdomen and pelvis as a baseline. A few months later (due to this board), he also let me get a brain MRI. He says its up to me if I want these repeated and how often (he does not recommend more than once a year if there are no symptoms but said he would do them every 6 months for the first 5 yrs if I want). I have not made any decisions in regard to the body scans but told him I do want a brain MRI at least once a year.

Morale of the story - I think if you are Stage 2A or less, a doctor may not advocate scans which can be a mistake in Her2 disease.

Kind regards

Becky

sally · 09-17-2006, 01:33 PM

After my surgeries and before chemo, I had a bone scan, MRI and CT scan. At the last minute I had a PET scan just to be on the safe side and it showed liver mets. The PET scan was the only scan that picked it up. I have had PET scans every 3-4 months since. It has been about 2 1/2 years. Sally

Barbara · 09-17-2006, 02:09 PM

Hi:

On my first visit and before Chemo my oncoligist order MRI's of the chest, abdomen and pelvis, a bone scan and a muga scan. The muga scan was to see if I would tolerate A/C as I was almost 59 at the time of my diagnosis. I had repeat scans to follow up on what was thought were two liver cysts and spots in my lung which were determnined to be mucus plugs which I get from Herceptin. I also had a PET scan at the time my liver enzymes and CA 27-29 went up. It was later determined that the Nuelasta caused the spike in these lab results.

Barb

Lee · 09-17-2006, 03:05 PM

Before beginning treatment, I had a PET scan as well as a CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. This is how we discovered that, instead of being stage II as we thought, I was stage IV.

Seems to me that it only makes sense to do these scans so that the staging is correct. That's why my onc always does them, no matter if they think from the start you are stage I or stage IV.

Vanessa · 09-17-2006, 05:09 PM

My surgical oncologist did a catscan before my initial surgery. When I was transferred to the oncologist, she ordered a petscan and a bonescan, which then indicated that I was Stage IV. I just had a repeat petscan and catscan after 3 months of treatment. I will find out the results on Thursday. I am also now thinking of asking for a MRI.

vickie h · 09-17-2006, 05:11 PM

I had a PET scan, Muga scan, Bone scan, MRI of both breasts, biopsy, and a brain scan before any treatment was started. I was stage 3b, lymph node involvement (actually a stage 4 because of skin mets). I have PET scans every 3 to 4 months and have been in treatment for 2 1/2 yrs. No mets to liver, lungs, brain, bones so far. God bless all of you wonderful women, thank you for your support. Love, Vickie H