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PET Scan restaging
by mickey222, Jul 18, 2008 02:16AM
My father has Stage IV Colon Cancer and his PET scans have been basically clean now for over 2 years, with the exception of "hilar and mediastinal adenopathy" being noted on several of them. Previously, the SUV was 2.4 on these areas. This past week, he had another scan (prior one was 9 months ago). Now, the SUV in this same sport is 4.7 and they noted "mile asymmetric uptake" for the first time. His CEA is 2.0. He had a CAT scan yesterday and the Dr.'s office called and her nurse said the CAT scan was fine and that they would see him for his next appointment in 4 months. We are concerned about this and worry that the PET might be picking up an early sign of metastisis tot the lungs that is just not visible on the CAT results. Should we ask for a biopsy or are we being paranoid?
Also, for the first time on any of the PET scans over the years, they refer to "nonspecific" activity involving the liver, spleen, and kidneys...actually, here is what it says, "Imaging of the upper abdomen reveals nonspecific physiologic activity involving the liver and the spleen as well as both kidneys. There is nonspecific bowel activity. Bowel activity is seen within the pelvis. No free pelvic fluid is seen." Does this just basically mean that the uptake was normal for these various organs, or does it mean that they don't know why? It was just something new on the report that we hadn't seen before.
His bloodwork the week before the scan showed that his hematocrit was low (38), hemoglobin was low (12.5), and RBC was low (4.0). Platelets were also low (134). BTW, my father is 81.
Thank you for you input. I just don't know whether to pursue this further or to wait the 4 months until his next appointment.
Also, for the first time on any of the PET scans over the years, they refer to "nonspecific" activity involving the liver, spleen, and kidneys...actually, here is what it says, "Imaging of the upper abdomen reveals nonspecific physiologic activity involving the liver and the spleen as well as both kidneys. There is nonspecific bowel activity. Bowel activity is seen within the pelvis. No free pelvic fluid is seen." Does this just basically mean that the uptake was normal for these various organs, or does it mean that they don't know why? It was just something new on the report that we hadn't seen before.
His bloodwork the week before the scan showed that his hematocrit was low (38), hemoglobin was low (12.5), and RBC was low (4.0). Platelets were also low (134). BTW, my father is 81.
Thank you for you input. I just don't know whether to pursue this further or to wait the 4 months until his next appointment.
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How are you?
PET scans are being used increasingly in oncology. Their main purpose is to detect metastasis. They are sensitive enough to pick up changes in molecular biology even before anatomic change has occurred. However the findings are always correlated with CT scan or MRI.
I would suggest you to seek a second opinion on this. Do let me know if you need more information.