PET scan anomalies

[michelangelina]

Hi everyone,

My last two PET scans have shown hypermetabolic activity in weird places that are more than likely not related to the breast cancer. On a scan I had in October, an area at the base of my tongue lit up. I then had an MRI and a visit to an ENT specialist that showed no obvious cause for concern. Then last week I had another scan. The area on my tongue still lit up, but only half as brightly. But there was also a new area that lit up behind my left ear. I have no swelling or other symptoms in that area. My oncologist is chalking this up to the PET scan being sensitive to benign anomalies, and I tend to agree. In the past, I have also had spots light up that were brown fat being activated--I guess this can happen when it is cold (the radiologist recommended that I try to warm myself before the scans). Anyone else have this happen with a PET scan?

[Justme153]

I have not but the place I get my scans done do give warm blankets while waiting and will cover you with one for the scan if you say you are cold. So there must be something to that .

[michelangelina in reply to Justme153]

I get warm blankets too. My favorite part of the whole experience!

[Kateds]

I have had brown fat reported on PET/ct before. It is benign and happens sometimes if you exercise a lot or exercise too closely to the scan. This might be one of the reasons that they ask you not to work out 24 hours before scan time. It can also mean that your metabolism is good.

Kate

[michelangelina in reply to Kateds]

I have heard that you are not supposed to exercise 24 hrs before but I have never actually been told to avoid exercise, or to avoid carbs (another things I read on the internet). The only thing I am told to do is fast for 5 hours beforehand. Of course, I don't do vigorous exercise anyway!

[Red71 in reply to michelangelina]

Before my CAT scans I have to have a low carb, no sugar dinner and then no food after that until after the scan the next day. That’s because they inject you with a sugar isotope that the cancer loves to eat. Other sugars you have ingested mess up the scan. I don’t think I’ve been told not to exercise, but then there is no chance of that anyway!

[Justme153 in reply to Red71]

Our hospital give us a paper with instructions and one of the things on it is no exercise including walking ( other than just around the house) for I think 24 hrs before scan.

[Hidden]

Hi Michelangelina,

My PET scans always/almost always mention somewhat random hypermetabolic areas and they interpret these as non-issues. E.g. my larynx/voicebox lights up because I've "vocalized". I'm usually pretty high on Xanax when I do them and I do talk to the techs about my comfort/claustrophobia (plus I'm usually kind of crying...no shame here! ). Yours sounds different...e.g. not areas that you're "activating"? But maybe unconsciously you're swallowing a lot or otherwise engaging your tongue?

[michelangelina in reply to Hidden]

Hi LynnFish, Thanks for your reply! I don't mind the scans, so I am usually able to lie still during them. I certainly could be engaging my tongue unconsciously--although the same spot lit up in two different scans, which seems to suggest there is actually something there (just not cancer, as far as we can tell).

[PJBinMI]

I don't remember all the details but I have had scans in the past that have sent us on wild goose chases trying to track down something that was not really there. Another crazy part of living with this lousy cancer!

[michelangelina in reply to PJBinMI]

Hi PJB, That is exactly what has happened to me--wild goose chases that lead to nothing. Sorry that happened to you too, but I am relieved to hear that I am not the only one. Thanks for your input--you are an inspiration!