FrannieB Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 My sister's having a PET scan Wednesday, then will be scheduled for a mediastinoscopy. The information the doctor gave us about what the PET shows and things I've read online are a little conflicting. Can anyone enlighten me? Things I've read online indicate that the PET scan can diagnose the presence of cancer, but the mediastinoscopy will be needed to determine the type. Is that correct? I'm wanting to know so that we're prepared next Monday (a week from this one) when we go in to get the results of the PET. Thanks! Frannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted July 15, 2006 Share Posted July 15, 2006 I would Believe you are correct Katie Thanks. Hope all is well for your sister Frannie. Is she doing better than the other Day? Randyw in Greensboro NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 A PET is not fool-proof for cancer, but usually a good indication. Other things can highlight in a PET scan (such as growing bone). Only a biopsy can determine definitely cancer and type. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda661 Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 Frannie: Yes, a PET scan highlights rapidly dividing cell activity (the patient is given an isotope-tagged, glucose-based media that flows through the body and is picked up by the PET machine for visual analysis) ..... cancer is one thing that is growing and wants to consume this fuel and divide rapidly; it shows up "hot" on a PET scan (you've probably heard this term used here before). However, a PET scan cannot determine the particular type of cancer present....that takes other procedures to do that as others have discussed here. Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 Keep in mind what Don said. PET can give false positive and false negative readings. I was sechuled for biopsy due to false positive but the doctor caught it and questioned it. Turns out it was mis-interpeted results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchurchi Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 Frannie, My husband is going through the same situation. His CT scan showed a new 3CM mass. His Pet Scan came up negative. His Dr. felt a biopsy should be done to be sure the pet is not a false negative. Alan is scheduled for his biopsy on Tuesday. Prayers for you and your sister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 When my mom was diagnosed she had a PET scan which showed the cancer light up in the chest and some lymph nodes. Then they did the mediastonoscopy where they biopsied the lymph nodes to make sure it was not a false-positive. For my mom, if the lymph nodes were negative, they were going to remove the lung tumor right then. However since the lymphs were positive, they closed her up, sent her home for chemo, then she had a lobectomy 4 months later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Hi Frannie, PETs can be wrong THANK GOD! I think they use the PET to suggest which masses are most likely cancer and the CT to determine precisely where those masses are located, so that they know exactly where to biopsy to establish a diagnosis. Hoping your sister's scans are A-OK. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ztweb Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Frannie, My dad didn't have a PET, but he did have various bone scans and mri's to see what they could find. He had a bronchoscopy to tell what kind of cancer it was. With they they went through the throat and down into the lung area and scraped...like a biopsy. These tests told us it was small cell, and then the form of treatment was chosen. Best of luck to you Frannie. I am thinking of you! Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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