Brain mets testing...for Pattz, Steph, Lisa .........and others

[al from Canada]

Hi Ladies,
In reference to the recent treads on testing and brain mets, why an MRI? Linda is having a PET to get a handle on her livers mets but they will scan the whole body. How accurate is a PET for brain mets and should I ask the onc to get them to scan the brain as well?

Your thoughts are appreciated.
Al

[Lisa]

Al,

A PET scan does not cover the brain, but is great for the rest of the body. I actually now get a CT/PET fusion. They give you a regular PET and a regular thoracic CT, then on a new computer software, they "merge" the two, leaving a 3-D picture that is supposedly more accurate to view.

A brain MRI is more accurate than a brain CT...AND you don't get the radiation. I'm having my scans in a week. How about Linda? And who, pray tell, is this adorable baby?

Love and light,

Lisa

[al from Canada]

Hi Lisa,

Linda is fine but we'll know alot more after her PET on Oct. 5th. As you know, she has had liver mets for 1 1/2 years with very little change other than she is not getting worst. The wonderful people in Seattle suggested that she get one because it is the test that can differentiate between active cancer and scar tissue, etc. As well, we would like to know if chemo is no longer required.

The cute little thing with Linda is Mackenzie, out granddaughter, now 7 1/2 months. She takes to Linda like I've never seen before. I guess Mackenzie gets that from me.

Take care,
Al

[StephN]

Hi Al -
We have been harping on MRI's for the brain as this is THE most accurate and comprehensive detailed look they can get for our various gray matter.
CT scans do not give enough detail, which is why Celina had to fight to get an MRI for her sister.

Brain mets can be caught as very tiny dots and this is preferred as we can start treatment. The MRI is done with and without contrast for the best study.

[Esther]

I asked about Pet scans to the brain, and this is the answer I got ( as close as I can remember )

" You're injected with some sucrose like substance which the cancer cells attract. There are certain areas that naturally attract more of the substance, so a positive response in that site would not necessarily mean anything.

The brain is one of the areas where a pet scan would not add any information, since it naturally attracts the solution, whether there is tumor activity or not."

Made sense to me, they additionally also confirmed that for the brain, an MRI is the best diagnostic tool we have right now.

[al from Canada]

Thanks ladies,

We know what to do.
Al