Hmm. I had a PET scan before my surgery, just to make sure the cancer wasn't anywhere else. Then, I had another one when I was three months out of treatment. I am now having CT scans every 6 months. My PET scan prior to surgery was prescribed by my surgeon, and my subsequent CT scans have been prescribed by my oncologists. The PET scan certainly isn't painful, and I didn't have any problem with it.

Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.