In January I finished radiation and chemotherapy for Stage II base of tongue cancer. My PET scan 3 months later was fine. Now the PET scan at the end of November is showing activity at the bot. I had an MIR, with "vague" findings. Saw the ENT specialist today, and he can't see or feel anything. Next week it's back to the oncologist to see if I just wait a while and get more scans, or they do a "blind biopsy" on something they can't see.

Of course I've been very worried about all this since I got the news. Is it just a false positive or the very beginning of a reoccurance? I have confidence that the doctors are on the right path, but I'm worried about what they may find. And what the treatment might be. Anyone have PET scan false positives?

Ron --

I had false positives with my PET in October. It showed 3 lymph nodes lighting up, but surgeon and RO at the time said that it was probably nothing. PET 10 days ago was fine.

There are so many things that can cause some activity to show up on PET, from exercise the day before the exam, to sugar intake, inflammation, etc.


You are doing the right thing by getting it fully checked out. If it is recurrence, it is very, very early, giving them the most treatment options. If it isn't, then you have gone through a whole lot of anxiety, but the end result is fine.

There are lots of threads on here on PET validity, false positives, etc. They are a real double edged sword -- a negative finding is great, and a positive finding may not mean much, but causes a lot of angst in the meantime. That is why you will read lots of divergent opinions on if and when to use PET or PET/CT. We will all keep a good thought for you.

Ron,

Unfortunately we all have to deal with scans that are remarkable post Tx , I had 2, but a large % resolve themselves. That said, but you still must follow through and make sure they do resolve themselves.

Thanks for the replies. I guess the worries come with the territory. I have to try to learn to put them aside for the moment. Certainly a good life lesson to learn. And I will continue with my doctors to find out what is going on.

Hi Ron,

Where I you being treated? I go to Fox Chase.

Good luck with your visit to the oncologist.

Jerry

Hi Ron,

I go to HUP. Here's hoping it's a false positive. Keep us posted.

Take care,
Eileen

Hi Jerry and Eileen,

I go to Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Upper Darby. Their cancer center is part of the Fox Chase partnership.

I hope to know more Friday when I see the oncologist. I'll post back. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Ron

Ron,

Good luck Friday. I wasn't aware of Fox Chase's association with your hospital. I'm sure you're in good hands.

Jerry

Hello Everyone,

Had my Oncology appointment on Friday and went over the MRI and ENT exam results. The MRI shows something "vague" at bot. And the ENT doctor doesn't see anything there. So it's wait another month and then get an MRI again.

As there is not going to be a quick answer, I've been trying to put all this aside for now and enjoy the holidays.

Everyone have a happy holiday and New Year.

Ron

Sounds like the sensible thing to do Ron!
Have forced myself to keep my hands 'off' my lumps today--they aint going away, but today, I don't need to know if they are growing either!
Enjoy your holiday!

Brenda