Can PET scans see melanoma in lymph nodes
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Can PET scans see melanoma in lymph nodes

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Can PET scans see melanoma in lymph nodes

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    • November 13, 2018 at 11:07 pm
    nicolec
    Participant

    Do PET scans always show melanoma in lymph nodes? Had my quarterly ultrasound of lymph nodes yesterday- and some came back as large/lobulated. Haven't heard from my oncologist yet. But- last time this happened (3 months ago) he ordered a PET scan. The ultrasound yesterday was much more in depth than the first one and found more nodes. The report indicates they have changed. (Last ultrasound found 3 nodes; this one found 18).

    Just wondering what's best- PET scan, ultrasound guided biopsy of lymph node or FNA(maybe that's the samw thing)? Background: Stage 3a. Had melanoma in 2 lymph nodes, one on each side of groin. Did not have CLND (obviously) but have ultrasound every 3 months.

     

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      • November 14, 2018 at 1:34 pm
      Janner
      Participant

      All the different scan types have their pros/cons.  PET scans show metabolic activity.  That could show arthritis, inflammation from trauma or cancer.  PET scans don't have the same resolution as other scans – typically I believe that 5mm is the minimum size.  Not to say you won't find anything smaller but you're not going to see microscopic stuff.  PET scans have the most radiation.  Utrasound does a very good job showing structure for accessible soft tissue.  It doesn't go deep thru tissue so you need to be able to see a structure on the skin or vaginally.  CTs are probably used the most for the best detail but they also have a lot of radiation.   If your ultrasound has shown change in multiple nodes, there's possibly several courses of action and it probably depends on the doc/institution what they do next.  It could be they assume it is melanoma and proceed given the ultrasound changes.  They could do another PET for comparison to the last.  It could be they do a FNA (yes, same as ultrasound or CT guided biopsy).  Or maybe jump to CLND.  You've already done the watch and wait and seen change so I'd probably not want to do that again.  We can only speculate with the limited info given – your doc knows your situation best. 

      Good luck!

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