We spoke at length to the radiologist who was going to read Barry's PET/CT scan (which was done Thursday). He first talked about how the fused PET/CT scans were an improvement over PET alone (or PET followed by a later, independent, CT or MRI). However, he admitted that there was still a certain small percent of false positives, and also, of ambiguous scans. He himself has read 100s of HNC scans, and says there are still times when he is not sure if the "hot" area is due to inflammation, healing or residual cancer. In most cases he can tell (based on experience), but not all. If the "hot" area can be biopsied (say, base of tongue) that would be done. If not, the scan repeated after a certain period and reviewed for changes.

They have enough confidence at Hopkins in this procedure that most patients who have gone through chemoradiation, like my husband, decline post-treatment surgery. (Although some of the surgeons would still like to do it !). I know Barry would not have been very confident in this decision without a PET/CT scan.

Gail