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View Full Version : PET/CT vs CT only

Colleen
03-13-2016, 12:31 PM
I would like to get some feed back regarding a PET/CT vs a CT with contrast. I have been getting PET/CT scans since my dx in 2013 but was recently scheduled for a CT with contrast only. I must admit I am disappointed with my insurance company (my monthly premium is a mortgage payment!) and my oncologist. The first peer to peer review was done by my oncologist's NP who did it wrong as usual, she ordered a CT withOUT contrast. I have been told that a PET/CT will only be ordered for "restaging"!?! Seriously? How do "restage" a stage IV dx? There isn't another stage to go to just recurrence or new tumors/lesions. Any thoughts....
agness
03-19-2016, 06:44 AM
I just had my first PET/CT to look for systemic disease outside of the brain (my first site of mets). I was told that if I'm off systemic treatment I will get restaged in 3 months with PET/CT otherwise just CT.

The transition might be because you are NED (which is great).
Colleen
03-19-2016, 10:14 AM
@ Agnes thank you; that is what I figured a PET/CT will only be used in the future if there is progression/recurrence. So far so good
SoCalGal
03-19-2016, 10:29 AM
I have a PET/ct about 2-3 times a year, aways ordered for "re-staging". It's just insurance speak that has a billing code associated with it, that means the insurance company PAYS. (I D I O T S). My hate for the insurance industry is DEEP!!!!!

Your doc can do another peer to peer phone call, to clear up any mis-information.
Colleen
03-19-2016, 01:17 PM
@ SoCalGal I agree about the insurance company they suck! But my onc's NP is a dimwit. She screwed up the initial peer to peer; I could have done a better job! I won't have anything to with the NP other than a prescription refill. She is a waste of my time and money. Cuck fancer!
Colleen
03-19-2016, 01:18 PM
Also I did NOT like the way the CT scan made me feel, it was really weird.
agness
03-19-2016, 01:31 PM
The CT with contrast does feel weird.
Nurse4u2day
03-19-2016, 05:17 PM
I just had a pet/ct scan yesterday because of ongoing lower back/hip pain. They did an MRI 2 months ago and it was clear so my oncologist agreed it was time for a pet/ct.
Thankfully it came back clear. You can see my signature... I love my oncologist as she does what she needs to in order to reassure me .