Remembering Dave Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Hey, everyone - Dave posted something in GENERAL last night, he's getting a bone scan today of his head because he has severe head bonking disease (see General post for explanation). He had a PET scan about a month ago and we were told it was ALL CLEAR. But he's not sure if that PET scan covered his noggin' or not. We could call his oncologist's office and ask but that place is a madhouse. Of course, we could do what we're doing anyway, and that is just wait for the results of today's bone scan. but I'm wondering if a PET scan generally scans your head, too. I know this is a really general question but thought I'd throw it out there in case someone knows. Thanks, Karen C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Karen and Dave, Not sure about that. I wonder though, thats a good question. Someone here will know. I find out more stuff here than from any onc.! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 No, it does not...one has to have a separate brain scan. Margaret Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted June 10, 2004 Author Share Posted June 10, 2004 thanks, Margaret. Geez, sure wish the oncologist had ordered one when he got the PET scan done. (our primary care doc ordered the brain bone scan thing). I'm wondering if the oncologist just assumed he didn't need one because he had the PCI last September and the brain scan he had before that was clear. oh well, guess we'll wait to find out. You are right, Jamie - find out alot more stuff here than at the oncologist's office! Thanks, Karen C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Our onc said no it doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 From what I understand, PET Scan's work in picking up glucose activity in cancer cells -- and there is apparently a lot of glucose activity in our brains, naturally so a PET would not be a very effective tool. A Brain MRI is apparently the way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luvmydog2 Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Good question Karen. I am going to expand it a little further if you don't mind. Of all the tests we go through with lung cancer, do we need seperate test for things like prostate, colon and others. For you ladies, breast and female cancer. If we are told NED does that mean "lung only" or does that include all types. Again good question. Now I hope I did not create a mad rush if someones tummy growles. We already know what it is like to hear the least little thing that doesn't sound normal. My wife called my pulm dr one night cause I had a fever and coughing. He was not on call but his on call doctor said "well a person with one lung can catch a cold too." Point here is here don't start panick and say "oh I need this done or that done. I will try to ask my onc this but don't see him for 4 more months so if anyone knows the answer , please post it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 PET scans can be used to find brain metastasis. I am not sure though if they have to do something special as far as setting up the scanner http://tjsamson.client.web-health.com/w ... _SxDx.html This article says a PET scan found a brain met that a CT scan missed http://www.ctclconsult.com/Clinical%20O ... 12000d.htm http://www.aiclancaster.com/p_pet.htm http://journals.ons.org/xp6/ONS/Library ... ix.xml#pos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Lamb Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 I never had a PET scan &don't know the answer,however to answer Bruces question I was told that some areas require different dyes etc for them to lite up or show.Prostate still largely monitored by bloodwork(PSA) and is highly recomended as early detection has very high sucess stats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Some doctors are saying the PSA test is not as useful as once thought http://www.klkntv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1854419 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Posted June 11, 2004 Share Posted June 11, 2004 My understanding is that you will need and MRI for the brain. Praying for David and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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