| Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | I would definitely get your oral surgeon to look at it as well and see if he agrees this is just somehitng to keep an eye on. fwiw, every time I have had a PET, I have had areas "light up" (though not REALLY light up--they were in the grey area) that hadn't before. Each time my ENT has examined me and scoped me and done an MRI as well and told me I have nothing to worry about, that these are just areas that are chronically irritated. And since my last PET was 6 months ago and nothing has changed in terms of what shows up when I have an exam, it seems he has been right so far.
From my (limited) understanding, it does make a difference how MUCH the area lights up. MY MO says a tumor will usually *really* light up and not be in that marginal zone.
Don't know if this helps or not - I can see why doctors at some (top) institutions think PETs are more trouble than they are worth!
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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