anyone know if any or all are better than another? I have had an MRI andf CT... I have not had a PET.. they are still in trial use here at PMH - I can get a private one done here in Mississauga for $2300 - I will pay it... if it is more comprehensive than a CT or MRI... I am just wondering if it is worth it? Any ideas?

PET scans are known to give false positives. It has happened to me and several other members. A CT scan is just as good. If anything questionable would show then the doc should be sending you for a PET. I know the PET scan is much more expensive than the CT scan. I am not a medical professional so Im sure there are many more differences that I am unaware of between the CT and the PET scans.

Thanks so much!!!

I recently has a false positive on a PET scan.

Ok - I'm thinking I'll save my money - if they send me for pone at PMH I'll go - but otherwise I'll be happy with my CT and MRI results! Thanks!

[quote]
What is combined PET/CT scanning?
Combined PET/CT scanning joins two imaging tests, CT and positron emission tomography (PET), into one procedure. A PET scan creates colored pictures of chemical changes (metabolic activity) in tissues. Because cancerous tumors usually are more active than normal tissue, they appear different on a PET scan.

Combining CT with PET scanning may provide a more complete picture of a tumor�s location and growth or spread than either test alone. Researchers hope that the combined procedure will improve health care professionals� ability to diagnose cancer, determine how far it has spread, and follow patients� responses to treatment. The combined PET/CT scan may also reduce the number of additional imaging tests and other procedures a patient needs. However, this new technology is currently available only at some facilities.
[/quote]

Hi Cheryl

I hate to be the one to throw a spanner into the works but your National Cancer Institute has the above to say in response to your question. The link to the site is below

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/CT

Thanks for the info. Inwill discuss the PET with my DR. I understand the CT is pretty accurate. Hopefully its is in my case - well in all our cases!

I have had both of these scans and as Christine said, I had a false positive reading from the Pet not once but twice. I liked the results from the MRI and the CTScan much better. I'm sure no Dr but geez, 2 times?

It is impossible to advice you if to have or not to have PET scan without knowing why you need it. It can detect the presence of cancer only when it is larger than about 2 cm. However, it is not specific and any increased metabolic activity can make it positive. Your Drs should who know your situation should assist you in making the choice. To read more about the strength and weaknesses of PET and other scan look at my blog at: http://dribrook.blogspot.com/p/pet-and-ct-scans-of-cancer.html

Itzhak Brook MD

Dr Brook

suggest you throw your PET scanner out the window as it is in serious need of a grease and oil change. It is true that in BREAST cancer that a 2cm or larger lesion has the best chance of discovery but it is also true that 65% of lesions under this are also correctly diagnosed.

In the case of head and neck cancers PET can correctly detect malignant lesions at least half the size you are talking about and probably even smaller - although with less accuracy).