I just heard from my onc (via email) that they could do me a PET / CT, but "she thinks that it won't be much over what we are getting with a CT."

Oh, really??

Why invent PET / CT in the 1st place?...

I just made a blooper! Forgot to put in "help" between "much" and " over." Pardon my French!! :-)

Hi:

I've done the combination PET/CT twice. My oncologist and I have found it helpful. Generally, we've looked at the CT scan for any signs of progression -- and the PET has been useful corroborative evidence . The PET shows how much sugar uptake is in a given area -- and because active tumors use more sugar -- the PET has been helpful in determining whether we think we are looking at an active or necrotic (dying) cells and/or tumor.

Also, the combined PEZT/CT is much quicker than doing those two tests seperately.

I found it useful. Good luck with your decision.

The PET/CT scan is what I had a week or so ago. If you read my "Dancing With Ned" on August 9, you'll see why I am all in favor of them! I think I would insist on it and here's hoping for good news! Best wishes, Tricia

I assume you mean the PET/CT fusion. You have a normal PET. And then, or before, a normal thoracic CT. They "fuse" the two together with a new computer software. Then they can see a 3-D look at what's going on. I have this fusion done about every 6 months with regular CT scans in between.

Love and light,

Lisa

Lisa, your assumption is correct; I simply forgot to put "fusion" in there. How long before do you get your results from PET / CT fusion?

The results are available immediately. Your doctor can get the results from the radiologist by the next day or two at the latest.

Love and light,

Lisa

Jojo - this is what I had a week ago. Test on Friday, results were in on Tuesday.

Good luck in your scans today. Praying for you!