I had a CAT scan (first one) three weeks ago. The radiologist opinion was that all was clean. My physican had a concern on a lymph node in my right side which is the side of the original cancer, stage 1, floor of mouth, surgery to remove in May 04, clean margins though the sential node was not found, a fairly wide sweep of the nodes in the right side of the neck showed no cancer. The node noticed on the CAT scan was 50% larger than the corresponding node on the left side so he ordered a PETscan (first one). Thankfully, the results came back negative. However, I am concerned on the reliability of the PETScan, possibility of false negatives was mentioned by my physican. I spoke to the nurses giving the PETscan and their opinion was that PETscans have a very high rate of dependability. I will see my physican tomorrow to discuss further. I believe he is going to recommed full right neck dissection regardless of PETscan findings and dependent on that result, radiation if nodes are positive. Any conmments on PETscan experience and reliability would be appreciated.

When I was diagnosed by biopsy two years ago, my ENT doctor ordred PET scan to see if it has spread to other areas. However, the PET scan was all clean - even the primary cancer was not shown.

The explanation from ENT is that PET is not very accurate for head and neck cancer, 15% false negative.

Following his suggestion, I did radical neck dissection, he took out 74 lymph nodes and 4 of them confirmed positive of cancer.

Since PET is not working on me, he never ordered PET scan for follow-up.

Similar experience in my husband's case. He had an unknown primary which they tried to find via a PET scan. PET scan showed no cancer. Surgery proved the primary to be in the tonsil and one lymph node also to contain cancer (neither showed on the PET).

Anita

Same for me. I had an unknown primary and a ct and pet were ordered. They were done from the waist up. All clean. But a byopsy was done on the lump on my neck and it was cancerous. I had a procedure and the doctor found the primary on the tonsil and removed most of it. I then underwent a radical neck disection left side to get it all. After that, I did radiation (33). He never really explained why nothing showed on the PET and CT. Maybe he expected it. But I believe from what I read, PET is more accurate. Maybe just not in the head and neck area. Wish you well.

Jeff