To clarify what Gail said a PET/CT by it's very nature is a "fusion" of 2 images and because of geographical reference points, the accuracy is much greater. They can more effectively rule out anomalies in the scan and reduce the false positive rate. It is also possible to have a separate PET and CT and have the images fused (but not as accurate). There are software packages that will do this. Her ENT is the exception from what most here have experienced. Essentially what she said is absolutely right - it is a double edged sword.

I looked to my early scans to verify that I was cancer free and they ended up causing me even more angst since none of my MRI's, for the first year, were "clean". Both of them sent me back to the head & neck surgeon for "direct visualization". So instead of basking in a cancer free glow, I was adding to my anti-anxiety medications. None of the anomalies amounted to anything. (just like Mark said)


Gary Allsebrook
***********************************
Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)