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  • Chemo/PET scan

    Posted by Clara on May 1, 2007 at 4:18 am

    About two weeks after my husband had two cycles of chemotherapy he had a PET scan. The PA ordered it and told us to wait awhile after he had his treatments to have this scan. The Dr. now has ordered another PET scan and it is scheduled on Monday, May 7th after the chemo treatment on Friday, May 4th. We would then see the dr. on Fri., May 11th to hear the verdict of whether the chemo has shrunk any of the tumors or not and hear what is suggested next. Does anyone know how the chemo affects the result of the PET scan and if this is too soon to have it?

    It just bothers me that the PA indicated that it could have an effect.


    Caretaker of husband, Bob.
    Stage IV
    Diagnosed Jan, 2007
    lmh22553 replied 17 years, 9 months ago 5 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Lmh22553's avatar

    Lmh22553

    Member
    May 17, 2007 at 4:53 am

    My husband had PET/CT scans every three months. On chemo, he had a PET scan after three rounds and then after six.

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    May 11, 2007 at 6:51 pm

    One of the reasons so many centers do not have the PET is because mixing up the concoction for injection can only be saved for a short amount of time and then thrown out…This involves exacting scheduling and extra personnel…but now labs have been set up around the country that do this for the hospitals making it more cost efficient to have a PET scan….so the combination of CT/Pet is really a good one as it not only shows structure but chemical functioning of organs and tissues. Only bad thing is you have to wait an hour for the injection to reach where it has to go. Pat

  • mike's avatar

    mike

    Member
    May 11, 2007 at 2:16 pm

    Clara is your husband getting 2 rounds of chemo or 3 rounds like most folks get. I had 3 rounds done and then the Dr ordered an MRI of chest, pelvis, and abdomen not a PET Scan to see the results of the chemo which show good results for me thank God all turned out well. I was just curious if he is getting 3 rounds why they would not wait till the chemo is done. But if your insurance will pay that is great like Pat said they are quite expensive. It just sounds unusual to me to have this done if chemo is not over. Regards, Joe

  • wendy's avatar

    wendy

    Member
    May 11, 2007 at 11:00 am

    Hi Clara,

    Ok, I get it, your husband is lucky to have doctor do such close follow up, most people have trouble getting PET scans, and get CTs for follow up, or MRI’s, athough PET and esp PET/CT is becoming more and more common for metastatic blc now if one has access and can afford it.

    I’m hoping the news is good. Please keep us posted.
    Wendy

  • clara's avatar

    clara

    Member
    May 11, 2007 at 4:08 am

    I was concerned about my husband having chemo/PET scan so close together but am okay now about it.
    He had the last chemo that was scheduled last Fri. and is having a PET scan tomorrow. The scheduler talked to someone that works with the PET scans and said it is okay.
    We will hear the results on Monday and discuss what is next for his treatments.
    This is his 3rd PET scan this year and I think the reason for so many is because the cancer is in so many places….hoping and praying that the tumors have shrunk.


    Caretaker of husband, Bob.
    Stage IV
    Diagnosed Jan, 2007
  • 's avatar

    Guest
    May 11, 2007 at 3:49 am

    I don’t know Wendy…..it certainly should be able to determine whether the chemo is working or not as the PET shows chemical functioning of organs and tissues. I can’t imagine an insurance company paying for 2 PET scans so close together..they’re quite expensive. I wonder and shall have to ask some of our Cancer centers what their protocal is? Pat

  • wendy's avatar

    wendy

    Member
    May 1, 2007 at 9:40 am

    Hi,

    I’m not quite sure I understand the situation, how long was it between the 2 scans? I would think that getting a PET after only 2 rounds of chemo would be too soon to be able to judge whether treatment is working. More often PETs are done at the end of the course.

    I don’t think that the chemo treatments will have any effect on whether the scan would be accurate or not.

    All the best,
    Wendy

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