My understanding of the PET/CT combination (usually performed at the same time) is that the PET shows abnormal soft tissue growth with astonishing detail, but it does not show the bony structures well, so location is not always as precisely indicated as is desirable. The CT is very precise about location, but it doesn't show the detail of the soft tissue as well as the PET, so often they are paired to show the growth AND the location in detail.

One reason not to do a PET too soon after treatment is that the PET shows increased metabolic activity within tissues. After treatment, there is usually too much inflammation in the tissues to get a true reading.

Does this jibe with the information that you more knowledgeable people have? What is the follow-up most usually given after treatment?

Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!