Help with understanding Pet scan results
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Help with understanding Pet scan results

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Help with understanding Pet scan results

  • Post
    • July 19, 2012 at 1:55 am
    cdavis324
    Participant

    I had Melanoma stage 3 in 2007 on right lower calf. Had large excision and SLNB. SLNB showed one node was positive. All Cat Scans and ultra sound have been good. I had a Pet Scan done this week.  

    Findings: Head/face   Focal ssymetric hypermetabolism is inseperable from the right parotid and inferior right auditory canal, suv 5.0. physiologic FDG uptake is seen in the visualized region of the brain,large salivary glands and oropharnx.

    I had Melanoma stage 3 in 2007 on right lower calf. Had large excision and SLNB. SLNB showed one node was positive. All Cat Scans and ultra sound have been good. I had a Pet Scan done this week.  

    Findings: Head/face   Focal ssymetric hypermetabolism is inseperable from the right parotid and inferior right auditory canal, suv 5.0. physiologic FDG uptake is seen in the visualized region of the brain,large salivary glands and oropharnx.

    Impression: 1.Focal asymmetric hypermetabolism is inseperable from the right parotid and inferior right auditory canal possibly inflamamatory/infecious etioloy or malignancy. clinical correlation recommended.

    2. elsewhere, no hypermetabolic lesions

    My Dr is on vacation for 2 weeks. Nurse called today with results but has to wait for covering Dr to view the report. She was not much help in explaining. Can somebody please help me understand these results. Thank you so much. 

    Thank you

    Chris

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  • Replies
      • July 19, 2012 at 3:13 am
      Janner
      Participant

      PET scans show areas of high metabolic activity.  This could mean cancer, infection, arthritis, or nothing.  PET scans have high false positive rates.  If I were to take a quick guess, I'd say you had an inner ear infection or something along those lines.  That's why they say "possibly inflamamatory/infecious etioloy or malignancy".  They have to include malignancy as you've already had cancer and it is always a possibility.  However, given the location of your primary and the high frequency of infections in the ear/parotid area – it seem more likely to be something related to an infection rather than "malignancy".  I'm just a layperson, however, and you should get an interpretation from a medical professional.  Isn't there someone else in your doctor's office who could interpret things for you?

        • July 19, 2012 at 3:24 am
        cdavis324
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your information. There is a covering Dr but I have to wait for him to read the report. I will call tomorrow. Thanks so much again. You made me feel more positive.

        • July 19, 2012 at 3:24 am
        cdavis324
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your information. There is a covering Dr but I have to wait for him to read the report. I will call tomorrow. Thanks so much again. You made me feel more positive.

        • July 19, 2012 at 3:24 am
        cdavis324
        Participant

        Thank you so much for your information. There is a covering Dr but I have to wait for him to read the report. I will call tomorrow. Thanks so much again. You made me feel more positive.

      • July 19, 2012 at 3:13 am
      Janner
      Participant

      PET scans show areas of high metabolic activity.  This could mean cancer, infection, arthritis, or nothing.  PET scans have high false positive rates.  If I were to take a quick guess, I'd say you had an inner ear infection or something along those lines.  That's why they say "possibly inflamamatory/infecious etioloy or malignancy".  They have to include malignancy as you've already had cancer and it is always a possibility.  However, given the location of your primary and the high frequency of infections in the ear/parotid area – it seem more likely to be something related to an infection rather than "malignancy".  I'm just a layperson, however, and you should get an interpretation from a medical professional.  Isn't there someone else in your doctor's office who could interpret things for you?

      • July 19, 2012 at 3:13 am
      Janner
      Participant

      PET scans show areas of high metabolic activity.  This could mean cancer, infection, arthritis, or nothing.  PET scans have high false positive rates.  If I were to take a quick guess, I'd say you had an inner ear infection or something along those lines.  That's why they say "possibly inflamamatory/infecious etioloy or malignancy".  They have to include malignancy as you've already had cancer and it is always a possibility.  However, given the location of your primary and the high frequency of infections in the ear/parotid area – it seem more likely to be something related to an infection rather than "malignancy".  I'm just a layperson, however, and you should get an interpretation from a medical professional.  Isn't there someone else in your doctor's office who could interpret things for you?

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