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When to have follow-up PET scan
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cg--- View Drop Down
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Points: 1379 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cg--- Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: When to have follow-up PET scan
    Posted: Nov 07 2007 at 8:29am
I have a problem and I need your wisdom and experience.....thank you for your time in answering my question.
 
On my PET scan of June 30 there was a hot spot (possibly metastatic node) in my left axillary area (where 17 lymph nodes were removed with 3 being positive).  The oncologist in Buffalo, New York (second opinion) said to have a follow-up PET scan after my chemo.   If it was an area of inflammation from the surgery (May 30) it would be gone, and if the hot spot was still there - the chemo did not work and start another chemo regimen.  The radiation oncologist here told me to wait and have the PET scan after the radiation - which would put me into the New Year.
 
The question I need answered from everyone on the board (since in Canada PET scans are not done for follow-up with breast cancer) - I paid to have mine privately.  
 
When did everyone have a follow-up PET scan (those that did) after the chemotherapy or after the radiation? 
 
I have a PET scan appointment booked for November 15 - my last chemo was October 19 - my first radiation November 21.
 
My medical oncologist (in Canada) has not done any scans and for staging only did baseline blood work.  My next appointment is April 8, 2008....with no blood work or scans ordered.
 
Thank you for helping,
 
cg
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EWKSeattle View Drop Down
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Points: 218 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote EWKSeattle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov 19 2007 at 11:04am
Hi,
 
I had several PET scans in the beginning because I was in a PET imaging clinical trial, but have not had them routinely since. 
 
The one thing I have been told by my onc is that PET is contra-indicated for at least 6 months after radiation.  Because of the body's reaction to the radiation, the whole area can show up "hot" and there would be lots of false positives.   It's too unreliable during that time to justify the expense, etc.  So it would seem better to have one before raidation, or be prepared to wait.
Dx 05/06 Stage IIIC
Local Recurrence 01/07
Mets in opposite side axilla nodes 12/07
Mets to mediastinal nodes confirmed 11/08
NED March 2009-March 2010
Brain met March 2010.
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lady4law View Drop Down
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Points: 274 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lady4law Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 09 2009 at 4:12pm
I have my PET, CT and bone scans every 6 months. I have had 4 since DX with BC. My first one was done following my original DX, (by lympectomy) prior to staring my chemo, and before my mast.

My surgeon claimed my BC had spread to my nodes, as some lite up in my scans. However when I finally got a copy of those scans, it stated the activity might be part of the "normal" healing process following surgery. Which was what it was. Since then I have had my scans every 6 months. This was to continue for 2 years, then every year for 3 more. After five years, only if something needed to be checked out.

I think I'll be having one more in December as my last one showed lesions on my kidney, thyroid, sinus, mastoid, behind the eye, activity in in spine, and a number of mini-strokes. Guess that is reason enough for another set of scans.

CG, I thank God I don't have to pay for them as they run over $30,000 in Los Angeles.

Jean
IBC/TN 6/07 Lymph, Chemo, Mast w/rec, chemo, 2 infect surg, exchg (2x) redo rec (2x) 4 new tumors esophagus, colon, chest, mouth, (10/11- 5th SUV7)"Activity" in spine hip
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trip2 View Drop Down
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Points: 8549 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote trip2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 10 2009 at 7:15pm
Jean,
 
I sure hope next time they scan all the previous spots will have disappeared!
Stage 2 2003
Stage 1 2007
BRCA 1+
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lady4law View Drop Down
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Points: 274 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lady4law Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Aug 15 2009 at 4:57pm
Saw my onc and he wants me to have another.....I'll wait a couple three months, as I think the reason I cannot get any sleep - I'am glowing in the dark (LOL) 
IBC/TN 6/07 Lymph, Chemo, Mast w/rec, chemo, 2 infect surg, exchg (2x) redo rec (2x) 4 new tumors esophagus, colon, chest, mouth, (10/11- 5th SUV7)"Activity" in spine hip
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