PET Scans?

15 years 7 months ago #20201 by Julie
Replied by Julie on topic PET Scans?
My husbands oncologist ordered a PET scan after they knew the nodule in his lung was a metastasis from his Bladder Cancer. When we got to the clinic where the scan was done they enrolled Dick in the Study and then Medicare paid for the PET scan. I don't know if he could get another one paid for. At the time he had the PET scan there were no other sites seen but this was last September. Julie

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15 years 7 months ago #20185 by Mel09
Replied by Mel09 on topic PET Scans?
My father was told he should have a PET scan before he began chemo. He was going to have an RC but the scan showed metastasis to the bones. Without the PET, we would never have known it had spread. I am in central NJ and it is something that is routinely done in my area, when possible. It is a very expensive test but I think it is well worth the peace of mind. In my fathers case, none of his medical treatment is through insurance because it is a workers comp. case.....but either way, it is something we would have gotten even if it needed to be paid for out of pocket. I saw the results myself and it was astounding! The areas with the cancer were all lit up and colored. It was pretty unbelievable what it is able to pick up. The report also stated how concentrated the cancer was in certain areas.

While no one wants to have their cancer met., I believe that it is best to know so that it can be treated accordingly. As much as a crushing blow this was for us, my father is now going through aggressive chemo and will have another PET scan in a month or so.

Hope this helps!

xoxoxo

Melissa

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15 years 7 months ago #20182 by harry s
Replied by harry s on topic PET Scans?
My husband Harry had a PET scan ordered by his oncologist prior to his RC. It was our understanding that it would show other areas of involvement. It showed an another suspect area in the bladder (this was after the original tumor was removed). The uro then scoped and biop'd which came back clear. Our insurance, Tricare, paid for this. Margot and Harry

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15 years 7 months ago #20180 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic PET Scans?
www.petscaninfo.com/zportal/portals/phys/insurance/nopr
He doesn't want to do the paper work.
Pat

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15 years 7 months ago #20178 by harleygirl
PET Scans? was created by harleygirl
My Dad's urologist says that PET scans are not FDA approved for use in finding bladder cancer metastases and are not paid for by insurance. In researching PET scans, I found this:

"Although PET scans are being used as part of research projects in bladder cancer, it is not yet certain how valuable they are in helping to manage the care of patients with bladder cancer."

The article went on to say that PET scans are mostly used to stage bladder cancer.

I know several people on this forum have had PET scans so I have the following questions:

1. If you are on Medicare, did Medicare pay for the scan?
2. Why was the PET scan ordered for you?
3. Did the test prove useful?

I want my Dad to have a PET scan before he submits to this next surgery, but don't think I can get his uro to order it since he doesn't believe it would be helpful.

Thanks.

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