The cancer center I go to is afilliated with MSKCC and they apparently believe strongly in the value of the fused PET/CT, and judging from the double sided foam tape holding some of the bits together I suspect it gets a lot of use. Probably because they are only charging about $1800.00/usd for a scan, including the follow up doc's visits from what I gather on my insurance claim.

Thing is it will show other items, in my case a severly inflammed shoulder and post radiation muscle healing, which in untrained hands could be mistaken for a lot of mets to the shoulder and neck.

I wonder how much of the various doc's reluctance to use PET/CT is based on cost and how the nubmers work via the medical group/HMO cost reduction bonus.

I've got a UK based healthcare insurance provider, and while I have regular coverage worldwide, in US and Canada I've only got emergency medical/evacuation because of the HMO situation. Judging from the comparitive costs I'm seeing, I understand why.

But, I'm digressing and getting on my quality of the healthcare business soapbox.
Bob

SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.