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pet scan nothing lit up
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pet scan nothing lit up

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › pet scan nothing lit up

  • Post
    • October 26, 2016 at 10:34 pm
    totaroswest
    Participant

      My husband was diagnosed in August with brain metastases. He was given steroids to reduce the swelling.  He had a ct scan done that showed some nodes in lungs and a suspicious something on his kidney. After 2 months of recovery from brain surgery he had a pet scan done and nothing lit up. The nodes in lungs and kidney are still there but they did not light up. Also initially they could not tell if the brain tumor they removed was melanoma or something else. So they sent it to Cleveland Clinic and they finally determined it was melanoma.The doctor said that when you take steroids it changes the tumor so it is hard to tell what it is. What do you all make of this?

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    • Replies
        • October 27, 2016 at 1:02 pm
        Mamapegela
        Participant

          Hi Tatoroswest-

          I'm so sorry that you and your husband are going through this.  My heart goes out to you- you will find many walking the same path as you here who will be friends along the way.

          Melanoma lesions under 1cm are under the threshold of detection and may not show activity (or "light up") on a PET scan.  Do you know how large the nodules are?  Also, have they grown in the two months since the last scans?  They are more likely to be malignant if they are growing.

          One other thought- my oncologist feels that there is actually a difference in the quality of detection of different PET scan units.  He told me the moblie units (in trucks) are not as precise as the permanent units, so I am getting future PET scans in a permanent unit.  I had never heard this before, but it is something to consider.

          Take care, 

           

           

          • October 27, 2016 at 1:02 pm
          Mamapegela
          Participant

            Hi Tatoroswest-

            I'm so sorry that you and your husband are going through this.  My heart goes out to you- you will find many walking the same path as you here who will be friends along the way.

            Melanoma lesions under 1cm are under the threshold of detection and may not show activity (or "light up") on a PET scan.  Do you know how large the nodules are?  Also, have they grown in the two months since the last scans?  They are more likely to be malignant if they are growing.

            One other thought- my oncologist feels that there is actually a difference in the quality of detection of different PET scan units.  He told me the moblie units (in trucks) are not as precise as the permanent units, so I am getting future PET scans in a permanent unit.  I had never heard this before, but it is something to consider.

            Take care, 

             

             

            • October 27, 2016 at 1:02 pm
            Mamapegela
            Participant

              Hi Tatoroswest-

              I'm so sorry that you and your husband are going through this.  My heart goes out to you- you will find many walking the same path as you here who will be friends along the way.

              Melanoma lesions under 1cm are under the threshold of detection and may not show activity (or "light up") on a PET scan.  Do you know how large the nodules are?  Also, have they grown in the two months since the last scans?  They are more likely to be malignant if they are growing.

              One other thought- my oncologist feels that there is actually a difference in the quality of detection of different PET scan units.  He told me the moblie units (in trucks) are not as precise as the permanent units, so I am getting future PET scans in a permanent unit.  I had never heard this before, but it is something to consider.

              Take care, 

               

               

              • October 30, 2016 at 12:10 am
              stotesbery
              Participant

                My Oncologist told me the same thing about PET scanners and quality.  He said the mobile units give a lower quality scan compared to a permanent scanner.  Also surprisingly enough, (at least it was to me) my insurance did pay for a second scan – my first one ever was in a mobile unit as I live in a rural area and I had no idea there was a difference.

                Christal

                • October 30, 2016 at 12:10 am
                stotesbery
                Participant

                  My Oncologist told me the same thing about PET scanners and quality.  He said the mobile units give a lower quality scan compared to a permanent scanner.  Also surprisingly enough, (at least it was to me) my insurance did pay for a second scan – my first one ever was in a mobile unit as I live in a rural area and I had no idea there was a difference.

                  Christal

                  • October 30, 2016 at 12:10 am
                  stotesbery
                  Participant

                    My Oncologist told me the same thing about PET scanners and quality.  He said the mobile units give a lower quality scan compared to a permanent scanner.  Also surprisingly enough, (at least it was to me) my insurance did pay for a second scan – my first one ever was in a mobile unit as I live in a rural area and I had no idea there was a difference.

                    Christal

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