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Quick Question re Brain MRI
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Quick Question re Brain MRI

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Quick Question re Brain MRI

  • Post
    • February 22, 2018 at 6:04 pm
    bjeans
    Participant

      My husband is scheduled for an SLNB and wide local excision 3/2/18. A 9.3 mm mole had been removed from his chest. We were referred to a melanoma/skin cancer center. They immediately ordered a full body PET-CT (clear!), and we met with the doctors on his team: oncologist, surgeon and dermatologist/director (Venna). Apparently the oncologist keeps up with the literature/conferences/peer consulting/etc., and may tend to be more on the aggressive end of the spectrum when it comes to treatment. So far so good. 

      I've noticed some people here who have had PET-CTs also had brain MRIs. Is that the norm and would you have thought my husband would have had one? In case it matters, no symptoms.

      Thank you! You all are beyond helpful as I muddle through, reading (including Bubbles' primer and many posts),

      Beth

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        • February 22, 2018 at 6:52 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi Beth, sounds like you are in good hands !!!! I think you might get some different experiences based on which hospital and who is the Oncologist but brain scans usually aren't done before SLND and WLE and even then a lot of patients don't get them unless Ct-scans show progression to lung or live or bones. It should be standard of care for all stage 4 patients but it isn't, now I must add that I am in Canada and the only reason that they did a brain scan on me, was because the clinical trial that I was trying to get into asked for one!!! That was my experience back in summer of 2013 and not much has changed in Canada as to doing brain scans. Where is your husband being treated? Good luck with the SLNB and wide excision!!! Best Wishes!!! Ed

          • July 12, 2018 at 9:25 am
          Paulajane
          Participant

            My oncologist ordered an mri of the brain with the pet scan. He said the pet scan does not show the brain clearly. I do get head aches. Wishing the best for you and your husband   

            Paula 

              • July 13, 2018 at 12:49 am
              bjeans
              Participant

                Thank you for weighing in, Paula – and I sure hope you’re doing well. 

                Beth

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