PET scan results

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.

PET scan results

This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 8 months ago by Linny.

Post

- September 9, 2019 at 5:09 am
- Quote
fedupnurse67
Participant
Had my PET scan on Thursday, got the results the same day in my patient portal. Have not seen my oncologist yet, won’t see him till the 18th, but have a few questions. Also have an appointment scheduled with a surgical oncologist to see about removing the cancerous lymph nodes. I’m thinking that because of location I’m not a surgical candidate.

1) report states that I have low level metabolic activity throughout the adrenal glands and pancreas. No pancreatic ductal dilatation. Is this normal? My mother died of pancreatic cancer in 2001 so I worry. But my genetic testing shows me as negative for anything to pass on to my kids.

2) report mentions 2 metabolically active lymph nodes, 1 on the left common iliac conglomerate lymphadenopathy, SUV 13. 6. 1 on the left external iliac chain lmyphadenopathy SUV 8.3. the metabolically active lymph nodes are the ones with the cancer?

Final impression: bulky metabolically active lymph node metastases involving the left common iliac and left external iliac chains. No metabolically active retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy .

Basically the melanoma is only in this area? Also where exactly is the iliac chain of lymph nodes located?

Viewing 1 reply thread

Replies

- - September 9, 2019 at 6:50 am
  - Quote
  MelMel
  Participant
  https://images.app.goo.gl/i4RK27oGokVffDke7
  should give you the location of the iliac chain of lymphnodes you were asking about.
  In your previous post, you had also mentioned that you had some periaortic lymphnode involvement. I would think you would be placed on immunotherapy first with hopes that the lymphnodes would shrink back to normal without any surgery being necessary.
  While I am not super familiar with PET scans, the fact that there is no ductal dilation in pancreas indicates that you do not have pancreatitis. While low metabolic activity is generally good there are tumors which have low uptake, small tumor size or it may be due to other reasons. If interested look at the following
  https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/rg.2016150073
  Best wishes.
  Melanie
- - September 11, 2019 at 1:14 pm
  - Quote
  Linny
  Participant
  Hi Donna!
  
  My pea-brain is telling me that the melanoma seems to be limited to those two lymph nodes and that no organs appear to be affected that they can see. Some places will have you undergo a high contrast CT to back up the PET scan, so that may be a possibility for you.
  
  Based on your note, it looks like your immune system is doing its thing by attacking the melanoma. But it’s going to need help. The important thing to remember is that there are options for us now.

Viewing 1 reply thread

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

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.