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Posted by Shelly Blechman on 7/25/2002 from 216.117.218.7:

In reply to: pet scans posted by julie on 7/21/2002 from 216.73.201.72:

It sounds to me like you have concerns about the results of your PET scan that are not being addressed. If you have a report from a Radiologist that indicates it being consistent with metastatic breast cancer, you might want to consider following that report up by getting second opinion with another oncologist. You do not mention why you had a PET. Where you having symptoms?

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) differs from other imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by evaluating metabolic activity rather than anatomic structures. PET is the only method that can detect and display metabolic changes in tissue, distinguish normal tissue from those that are diseased, such as in cancer, differentiate viable from dead or dying tissue, show regional blood flow and determine the distribution and fate of drugs in the body.

PET imaging is very accurate in differentiating malignant from benign growths, as well as showing the spread of malignant tumors. PET imaging can help detect recurrent breast cancer, even if it does not show up on a CAT scan. It is a very good means of detecting an early local recurrence in the breast or chest wall, even before there are any symptoms. It can also show distant metastisis.

I was told by a radiologist who reads PET scans that there can be a false positive is if a patient did not follow instructions prior to the PET scan (e.g. vigorous exercise or caffeine which will affect the level of glucose uptake in the muscle) or if there is an infection in the skin. This radiologist recommended that you have a bone scan to see if any hot spots show up. If that is negative, then it might be appropriate to just watch it and do another test in a few months. It is hard to localize an area from a PET scan to do a biopsy, sometimes an MRI can show the lesions and better indicate where to do a biopsy.


AN IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please keep in mind that we are not health care providers. Also, it is very difficult to render an opinion without knowing all the facts of any one particular case. One strong recommendation we would like to make is that you pursue your question(s) with your own physicians. You should feel fully empowered to obtain a satisfactory answer and feel free to seek a second or third opinion.



WIN ABC is here as a resource for you. I would be glad to speak with you directly to help you address some of your concerns.

If you have not done so already, please complete the Personal Profile Form by clicking on the link below as this will help us best meet your needs or contact our office toll free at (866) 2 WIN ABC (294-6222). Your information will be kept confidential.

Shelly Blechman
Program Director
WIN Against Breast Cancer

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