Pet scan results

[Selmac]

I just received my pet scan results from my Oncologist. He said no progression but 2 lymph nodes showed activity but not cancer. I couldn't go into a lot of detail as it was my last visit with him as we are moving from Ohio to South Carolina. We were looking for a new Oncologist and I had a list of questions. The lymph node result. Could that be the start of cancer? Has this ever happened to anyone else? This is my first post. I have responded before but read all posts to try and learn as much as possible. Thank you. I do pray for all of us with this horrible disease.

[Red71]

I know that in bones, they show activity as they are healing, so it is hard sometimes to see the difference between the cancer and the healing bone, but they are happy if the lesions are not bigger or there aren’t more. I’m not sure about nodes, mine just disappeared, but I only had two small ones. Where is your MBC? Elaine

[Selmac in reply to Red71]

My cancer is only bones. Ribs, spine, shoulder and front of hip bones.

[Red71 in reply to Selmac]

Mine is similar, ribs, hip, and spine. No shoulder involvement tho. If you don’t have any lymph node involvement, I’m not sure what the new activity could be. You might try calling or emailing your old oncologist to see if you could get an answer. I would want to know. It always seems like we don’t get all the follow up questions asked, sometimes because of time and sometimes we don’t think of them until later, which is usually my problem!

[Selmac in reply to Red71]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I have also not seen this question in any posts.

Terry

[Barbteeth in reply to Red71]

Hi Elaine

Would you mind explaining what you mean about healing bone mets showing activity on a scan please...surely this could lead to misdiagnosis?

Barb xx

[Red71 in reply to Barbteeth]

On my first scan after starting on Ibrance, I had no new lesions but all my bone lesions were still lighting up and looking about the same. However I had 2 nodes under my arm and they were gone. My oncologist said that healing bone also lights up so it’s hard to tell the difference between active lesions and healing lesions. If I remember correctly both take up sugar which is what they are looking at. On my next scan, all those bone lesions were inactive and not lighting up. I think when docs say that scans are unchanged it can be active or healing and the only thing that they can really measure is if they are growing. If they aren’t growing, they are usually very happy! I’m sure there is a better scientific explanation but that’s the best I can do!

Elaine

[Selmac in reply to Red71]

I thank everybody for the responses. I understand no progression with my bones. My concern is the activity in the two lymph nodes. Have never had that before. I don't know if it means they could be pre cancer. Right now they couldn't see cancer in them. But the activity has to be something.

[kearnan in reply to Selmac]

If your doctor says not cancer, take that info and relax. Don't worry about what it may or may not be. Don't get stressed about it. You only worry when the doctor says it is cancer. If he says it is not, be happy about it and don't dwell on could it change to cancer. For all of us, it is a day to day thing so enjoy the good news.

[Barbteeth in reply to Red71]

Thanks Elaine

You explained that very well

Barb xx

[Hidden]

Hi Terry,

I would contact your old oncologist again if possible and see whether he could clarify what he means by what he said. I would want to know as well, so I hope you can get some answers to the "activity" that showed up on your PET CT scan results. Hopefully it is nothing to worry about, but you have a right to know. Sometimes our medical team cannot give us answers right away, but need time to see if an area that shows up starts to grow.

Sophie

[Selmac]

Thank you Sandra. That makes me feel better. Maybe I'll wait and ask my next oncologist. Two months from now. Thank you all for responding to help me.

Terry

[Kathyquilts]

Lymph nodes are often active when fighting an infection. And the can go off for no reason. I’ve had both experiences. Don’t worry until someone tells you to worry.

[Selmac in reply to Kathyquilts]

Thank you so much. That is a relief.