Ok, first, I'd like to say Hi to Brian, Gary and all the other "old timers" here. I know it's been a while, but after 5 years I thought I was done with this stuff.

But.. went in for PET/CT today, follow up, almost 6 years after initial diagnosis, and lo and behold, the PET shows a strong "uptake" of tumor cells suggesting possibility of Nasopharyngeal Cancer. Now I've just gotten over a bad sinus cold, like yesterday was the first day I didn't have to take cold medicine. So I'm wondering if this is playing a part in the whole thing. Radiologist says "NO" but last time I went in for PET/CT with a cold there was massive uptake. Year later, no issues.

No other issues or uptake or any other sign of disease other than in the nasopharynx. Just there. Almost like it was fond either very early or by accident. Apparently nothing abnormal shows on the CT scan even.

Doc says it's pretty rare in Caucasians, although he sees it a lot with those from Southern China. I had the tests done at Adventist Hospital in Hong Kong where they treated me for tongue cancer.

So far, the plan of action is Oncologist is doing a blood test for Epstein-Barr virus gene, and after that see what happens. If negative, than will re-scan in 6 months. If positive, then the scope up the nose and possibly biopsy.

I'm hoping for false positive because of the cold, since I've had that before, but we'll see. This is a different radiologist than before, and apparently he/she's very very cautious and thorough. Apparently for the first time the report will even have a lengthy discussion about my lung fibrosis from the previous rad sessions, complete with photos. Which will be good to have because every time I get a chest X-ray the doc's go nuts.

Anyone else had problems with false positives because of cold symptoms on a PET/CT? Could this really be a "false alarm" or am I in for a THIRD round of rad/chemo? How many times can you do IMRT anyway???

By the way, I'm having absolutely no symptoms, other than the cold last week,I feel great.

Bob