CT scan vs PET scan.

[ConcernedInNY]

Is there a difference between a CT and PET scan? When should one insist on using one over the other? I was told PET scans were used in the case of recurrences - is this true?

[Nat2]

Alan,

No problem - I hope it helped.  Sometimes I wish I had become a Dr just so I would understand all these medical terms - I'm quite capable of understanding it all but the Dr's seem to just gloss over things like they have it all under control and you don't really need to worry yourself with the details.  It's really frustrating doing internet research too because you can't find the level of detail you are looking for!  I wish I could take a more active role in my treatment, I don't really like decisions being made for me!

Regards,
Nat

[ConcernedInNY]

Hi Nat,

Thank you for the response and the direct answer to my pointed question.  I sincerely appreciate you taking the time.

So, I guess for the time being using the CT scan for my moms followup should be ok in conjunction with the CA-125 test.

Thanks again.
Alan

[Nat2]

According to 100 Questions and Answers about Ovarian Cancer, Don S Dizon, Nadeem Abu-Raustum and Andrea Gibbs Brown, page 25 -

"A PET scan is not routinely used in the initial medical handling of ovarian cancer.  A PET sccan remains an expensive imaging test that may be useful in specific situations, particulary in follow-up of ovarian cancer.  If recurrence is suspected by can't be identified by conventiaonal imaging tests, such as CT scan, MRI or ultrasound, a PET scan may be helpful.  It could be used to identify abnormal areas of uptake (absorption) that may indicate where tumour is located.  However at this point, a PET scan should not be routinely used for the intial idenification of all suspected ovarian cancer.  The role of the PET scan in the handling of ovarian cancer continues to be a topic of active research"

Hope this helps, and if you can get a copy of this book it is really useful.