MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Follow-up to Lung nodules found on CT
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Follow-up to Lung nodules found on CT

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Follow-up to Lung nodules found on CT

  • Post
    • December 9, 2016 at 3:51 am
    susanspotless
    Participant

      I had a PET/CT scan yesterday, my R. ordered a Cat Scan guided biopsy and I am waiting for an appointment. I will follow up with those results. Im really disappointed, I thought the PET/CT would offer definitive results as to malignancy.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 9, 2016 at 5:27 am
        _Paul_
        Participant

          Did you get the results form the PET Susan? Did it detect FDG uptake? That is the radioactive dye that allows a PET to discriminate normal tissue from cancer. It is not 100% (especially when it comes to false positives), and cannot discriminate between different types of cancer.

          But if there is no FDG uptake, that would cast doubt that the tumors are cancerous.

          This is just based on my experience, I am not a doctor.

          I am wishing you the best – Paul

            • December 9, 2016 at 8:36 am
            susanspotless
            Participant

              Yes, per the findings:

              "There is focal hypermetabolic uptake within the anterior subplueral LEFT upper lobe pilmonary nodule seen on recent CT, with maximum SUV of 3.9. Background mediastinal blood pool uptake show maximum SUV of 2.3"

              That one is the "Lobulated juxtapleural nodular opacity anteriorly in the upper lobe of the left lung" that measured 1.6 x 1.8 cm  found on the CTscan last month.

              Also the: "Small to moderate layering LEFT plueral effusion has increased in size."

              That would be the "4 mm nodule in the "lateral basilar segment of the left lower lobe" that has increased in size.

              Thanks for your good wishes Paul 🙂

              • December 9, 2016 at 2:45 pm
              ed williams
              Participant

                Hi Susan, the biopsy I had was lots of fun, since I am being treated at a teaching hospital. I can remember very clearly the experienced surgeon explaining why the angle that the intern wanted to use was going to miss and that taking a different angle would work out better. The procedure wasn't bad in the end but I did have a small leak afterwards so they put me on oxygen for about 1 hr. Best wishes!!!Ed

                • December 9, 2016 at 11:27 pm
                susanspotless
                Participant

                  Thanks Ed! This is needle biopsy is definitely not something I am looking forward to, I didn't even want to to the PET scan.

                  Oh yes! I have to mention here that my report says PET816 Whole Body, I am not sure if that is just a plain ordinary PET or a PET/CT. It could be why I dont have a definitive answer for benign/malignancy. I have looked around a bit last night and I am not encouraged by what I read, but I am hoping I am completely wrong! 

                  Enjoy your weekend, Ed!

                  • December 9, 2016 at 11:27 pm
                  susanspotless
                  Participant

                    Thanks Ed! This is needle biopsy is definitely not something I am looking forward to, I didn't even want to to the PET scan.

                    Oh yes! I have to mention here that my report says PET816 Whole Body, I am not sure if that is just a plain ordinary PET or a PET/CT. It could be why I dont have a definitive answer for benign/malignancy. I have looked around a bit last night and I am not encouraged by what I read, but I am hoping I am completely wrong! 

                    Enjoy your weekend, Ed!

                    • December 9, 2016 at 11:27 pm
                    susanspotless
                    Participant

                      Thanks Ed! This is needle biopsy is definitely not something I am looking forward to, I didn't even want to to the PET scan.

                      Oh yes! I have to mention here that my report says PET816 Whole Body, I am not sure if that is just a plain ordinary PET or a PET/CT. It could be why I dont have a definitive answer for benign/malignancy. I have looked around a bit last night and I am not encouraged by what I read, but I am hoping I am completely wrong! 

                      Enjoy your weekend, Ed!

                      • December 9, 2016 at 2:45 pm
                      ed williams
                      Participant

                        Hi Susan, the biopsy I had was lots of fun, since I am being treated at a teaching hospital. I can remember very clearly the experienced surgeon explaining why the angle that the intern wanted to use was going to miss and that taking a different angle would work out better. The procedure wasn't bad in the end but I did have a small leak afterwards so they put me on oxygen for about 1 hr. Best wishes!!!Ed

                        • December 9, 2016 at 2:45 pm
                        ed williams
                        Participant

                          Hi Susan, the biopsy I had was lots of fun, since I am being treated at a teaching hospital. I can remember very clearly the experienced surgeon explaining why the angle that the intern wanted to use was going to miss and that taking a different angle would work out better. The procedure wasn't bad in the end but I did have a small leak afterwards so they put me on oxygen for about 1 hr. Best wishes!!!Ed

                          • December 9, 2016 at 8:36 am
                          susanspotless
                          Participant

                            Yes, per the findings:

                            "There is focal hypermetabolic uptake within the anterior subplueral LEFT upper lobe pilmonary nodule seen on recent CT, with maximum SUV of 3.9. Background mediastinal blood pool uptake show maximum SUV of 2.3"

                            That one is the "Lobulated juxtapleural nodular opacity anteriorly in the upper lobe of the left lung" that measured 1.6 x 1.8 cm  found on the CTscan last month.

                            Also the: "Small to moderate layering LEFT plueral effusion has increased in size."

                            That would be the "4 mm nodule in the "lateral basilar segment of the left lower lobe" that has increased in size.

                            Thanks for your good wishes Paul 🙂

                            • December 9, 2016 at 8:36 am
                            susanspotless
                            Participant

                              Yes, per the findings:

                              "There is focal hypermetabolic uptake within the anterior subplueral LEFT upper lobe pilmonary nodule seen on recent CT, with maximum SUV of 3.9. Background mediastinal blood pool uptake show maximum SUV of 2.3"

                              That one is the "Lobulated juxtapleural nodular opacity anteriorly in the upper lobe of the left lung" that measured 1.6 x 1.8 cm  found on the CTscan last month.

                              Also the: "Small to moderate layering LEFT plueral effusion has increased in size."

                              That would be the "4 mm nodule in the "lateral basilar segment of the left lower lobe" that has increased in size.

                              Thanks for your good wishes Paul 🙂

                            • December 9, 2016 at 5:27 am
                            _Paul_
                            Participant

                              Did you get the results form the PET Susan? Did it detect FDG uptake? That is the radioactive dye that allows a PET to discriminate normal tissue from cancer. It is not 100% (especially when it comes to false positives), and cannot discriminate between different types of cancer.

                              But if there is no FDG uptake, that would cast doubt that the tumors are cancerous.

                              This is just based on my experience, I am not a doctor.

                              I am wishing you the best – Paul

                              • December 9, 2016 at 5:27 am
                              _Paul_
                              Participant

                                Did you get the results form the PET Susan? Did it detect FDG uptake? That is the radioactive dye that allows a PET to discriminate normal tissue from cancer. It is not 100% (especially when it comes to false positives), and cannot discriminate between different types of cancer.

                                But if there is no FDG uptake, that would cast doubt that the tumors are cancerous.

                                This is just based on my experience, I am not a doctor.

                                I am wishing you the best – Paul

                                • December 10, 2016 at 1:13 am
                                jennunicorn
                                Participant

                                  Scans can't be definitive for malignancy. For some who already have confirmed mets, if they get a PET/CT and a new spot lights up, it is clinically decided to be malignant, but technically not definitive. For those without active cancer that get a scan and something shows up, they have to biopsy to be sure it is malignant. PET uptake can sometimes just be a sign of inflammation or lymph nodes will show uptake when they're fighting off an infection, and therefore can't be a sure thing, unless the uptake is super high, which yours happen to be on the lower side. So, they have to do the uncomfortable biopsy to investigate further and get a definitive answer for you.

                                    • December 10, 2016 at 9:06 pm
                                    susanspotless
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks for the clarification!  I wonder why the RN I had for my monthly shots didnt know this? Anyhow, its the mediastinal blood pool uptake that has me more concerned than the SUV uptake, but until I know for sure from the biopsy report I am not going to worry about it!

                                      Christmas is just around the corner and there are cookies to bake, shopping to do and a tree to decorate today 🙂 I will post an update when I have the biopsy report in hand.

                                      • December 10, 2016 at 9:06 pm
                                      susanspotless
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks for the clarification!  I wonder why the RN I had for my monthly shots didnt know this? Anyhow, its the mediastinal blood pool uptake that has me more concerned than the SUV uptake, but until I know for sure from the biopsy report I am not going to worry about it!

                                        Christmas is just around the corner and there are cookies to bake, shopping to do and a tree to decorate today 🙂 I will post an update when I have the biopsy report in hand.

                                        • December 10, 2016 at 9:06 pm
                                        susanspotless
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks for the clarification!  I wonder why the RN I had for my monthly shots didnt know this? Anyhow, its the mediastinal blood pool uptake that has me more concerned than the SUV uptake, but until I know for sure from the biopsy report I am not going to worry about it!

                                          Christmas is just around the corner and there are cookies to bake, shopping to do and a tree to decorate today 🙂 I will post an update when I have the biopsy report in hand.

                                        • December 10, 2016 at 1:13 am
                                        jennunicorn
                                        Participant

                                          Scans can't be definitive for malignancy. For some who already have confirmed mets, if they get a PET/CT and a new spot lights up, it is clinically decided to be malignant, but technically not definitive. For those without active cancer that get a scan and something shows up, they have to biopsy to be sure it is malignant. PET uptake can sometimes just be a sign of inflammation or lymph nodes will show uptake when they're fighting off an infection, and therefore can't be a sure thing, unless the uptake is super high, which yours happen to be on the lower side. So, they have to do the uncomfortable biopsy to investigate further and get a definitive answer for you.

                                          • December 10, 2016 at 1:13 am
                                          jennunicorn
                                          Participant

                                            Scans can't be definitive for malignancy. For some who already have confirmed mets, if they get a PET/CT and a new spot lights up, it is clinically decided to be malignant, but technically not definitive. For those without active cancer that get a scan and something shows up, they have to biopsy to be sure it is malignant. PET uptake can sometimes just be a sign of inflammation or lymph nodes will show uptake when they're fighting off an infection, and therefore can't be a sure thing, unless the uptake is super high, which yours happen to be on the lower side. So, they have to do the uncomfortable biopsy to investigate further and get a definitive answer for you.

                                        Viewing 5 reply threads
                                        • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                        About the MRF Patient Forum

                                        The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                        The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                        Popular Topics