Why do another CT scan?

Sherryg683 · 02-15-2006, 05:21 PM

I had a PET/CT scan done approximately 2 months ago when I was diagnosed with BC. My Oncologist said that the CT scan did not show any mets. But the Pet scan picked up two sub centimeter lung nodules that had lit up. It also showed 2 liver lesions that did not pick up the dye, so Dr. said they were probably not cancerous. The lung nodules were too small to biopsy so we treated them as cancer. NOW... after 6 weeks of taxotere, herceptin, and xeloda, my Oncologist ordered another CT/w contrast scan today too see if the treatment we were doing was working. I figured PET would be included with this and it wasn't. I questioned the technician about it. My question is, if my lung mets didn't show on the first CT scan that was done, why would they show on the second one, especially if I have been doing chemo? You would think another PET would need to be done. I am definately going to ask my Oncologist about this on Friday, it just seems that if the scan comes back clean, can I trust it? Just wondering if any of you have any thoughts on this. tks..sherryg683

Lolly · 02-15-2006, 06:17 PM

Hi Sherry, I've been in your situation with CT scans not showing lesions while PET does. The PET/CT is definitely the way to go, but if your onc doesn't want to order it for whatever reason (possibly insurance does not want to pay for another so soon), CT with contrast is the next best choice. It's possible the first CT was without contrast and that's why the mets weren't picked up. That has happened to me.

<3 Lolly