I didn't have a "clean" MRI for over a year post Tx. The reading radiologist dutifully reported every anomoly no matter however slight. The H&N surgeon had the ultimate say and it was invariably against the scan results. Scans are an important tool but only a part of the diagnostic or follow-up monitoring process. They caused me much angst in the first year, especially since I wanted to hear the words "no evidence of cancer" and "complete response" (CR) to treatment.

Ron --

Also keep in mind that there are tons of soft tissue changes from the radiation, all of which will show and be reported as suspicious findings on an MRI.

Sorry for taking so long to report back with some results. My laptop broke and was not repairable. I've been around the circle of another MRI, visit to the oncologist. And today, a follow up exam by the ENT. And all the results are good!

Thanks for members relating their stories of past PET scan false positives. They certainly helped me to keep my stress level down. I can now confirm from personal experience that a small level of increased activity in the scan is not conclusive of any problem.