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DonnaD · 07-17-2009, 08:40 AM

Hoping I can get a little info from my sisters here. Must admit I have not done any research yet but I will.

As some of you know I have been having issues with a rib fracture discovered right after treatment. Recent pain required yet another bone scan and CT. The CT came back showing healing and no new fractures. The bone scan had two areas light up in the original area. After seeing a Thoracic surgeon on Mon. he suggested a PET scan in Sept if there is no improvement or the pain gets worse.

I am really confused about what these tests show. Can anyone help me understand the difference between a bone scan, CT and PET/scan. Is there a concern about the amount of radiation in a 3 month time frame?

Also my tumor markers are in the normal range, but slowly inching up. They all have been done with the Abbott Architect automated analyzer

. The report states using this method numbers are 12% higher than other methods of testing.
CA 15-3
12/07 15.9
6/08 15.7
12/08 17.1
6/09 17.7

I would appreciate your insight. I don't like being in this seond guessing world we all live in now.

Thanks,
Donna

07-17-2009, 08:40 AM	#1
DonnaD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Marengo, IL Posts: 518	Bone scan, CT, and PET????? Hoping I can get a little info from my sisters here. Must admit I have not done any research yet but I will. As some of you know I have been having issues with a rib fracture discovered right after treatment. Recent pain required yet another bone scan and CT. The CT came back showing healing and no new fractures. The bone scan had two areas light up in the original area. After seeing a Thoracic surgeon on Mon. he suggested a PET scan in Sept if there is no improvement or the pain gets worse. I am really confused about what these tests show. Can anyone help me understand the difference between a bone scan, CT and PET/scan. Is there a concern about the amount of radiation in a 3 month time frame? Also my tumor markers are in the normal range, but slowly inching up. They all have been done with the Abbott Architect automated analyzer . The report states using this method numbers are 12% higher than other methods of testing. CA 15-3 12/07 15.9 6/08 15.7 12/08 17.1 6/09 17.7 I would appreciate your insight. I don't like being in this seond guessing world we all live in now. Thanks, Donna __________________ Donna Crystal Lake, IL Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54 Lumpectomy 8/30/06 Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++ 1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9 Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin 36 rads completed 5/16/07 Mammograms, 7/07 clear fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07 Finished Herceptin 12/27/07 Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable NED 2 years!! 3 years !!! 4years!!!! 4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!! Official 5 years 8/30/2011 8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!! Last edited by DonnaD; 07-19-2009 at 11:34 AM..