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1rarebird · 07-24-2010, 11:38 AM

Kathy--I had my second PET/CT scan two days ago and can vouch for the accuracy of the procedure and what to expect as posted by Jackie. I believe you will find the whole experience no more a burden than the Mugas, chemo and Herceptin treatments you have already gone through. In my case there was no real side effects that I could point to, other than being somewhat tired the afternoon following the exam. A good nap fixed that. The good thing about PETs is that the radiologist can interpret the scans rather quickly and give your oncologist a report usually withing 48 hours. So you won't have to wait around a long time for the results. Anyway, that is the way it worked for me.

One other thing--I was told that PETs aren't used for diagnosis of metastasis in the brain. They use MRIs for that, or so I'm told. Apparently, the whole brain shows up hot or glucose avid in a PET scan so any tumors there would be hidden.

Good luck with your PET. I believe you will find it a positive experience.

bird

07-24-2010, 11:38 AM	#32
1rarebird Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: TN Posts: 175	Re: Pet Scan for Stage 1? Kathy--I had my second PET/CT scan two days ago and can vouch for the accuracy of the procedure and what to expect as posted by Jackie. I believe you will find the whole experience no more a burden than the Mugas, chemo and Herceptin treatments you have already gone through. In my case there was no real side effects that I could point to, other than being somewhat tired the afternoon following the exam. A good nap fixed that. The good thing about PETs is that the radiologist can interpret the scans rather quickly and give your oncologist a report usually withing 48 hours. So you won't have to wait around a long time for the results. Anyway, that is the way it worked for me. One other thing--I was told that PETs aren't used for diagnosis of metastasis in the brain. They use MRIs for that, or so I'm told. Apparently, the whole brain shows up hot or glucose avid in a PET scan so any tumors there would be hidden. Good luck with your PET. I believe you will find it a positive experience. bird __________________ Male Breast Cancer, DX 5/15/09, IDC, STAGE 1, 1.7 cm, HER2+++, ER+(95%)/PR+(75%), Ki67 40%, grade 3, 0/5 nodes, TX: mastectomy, TCH finished 7/19/10, radiation 6 wks., Tamoxifen on going, bisphosphonate 24 mos.