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Do scans see all types of cancer?
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Do scans see all types of cancer?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Do scans see all types of cancer?

  • Post
    • October 2, 2011 at 4:56 pm
    jax2007gxp
    Participant

      Hello friends,

      Yesterday I was conducting "paper management" and discovered the mammogram order which I failed to get done this year.  It made me start wondering….would the PET/CT scan show other kinds of cancer beyond mel?  I know my scans revealed a likely thyroid issue (not cancer), so I'm thinking it could identify other hot spots where a different kind of cancer may exist.

      Thanks for your feedback!

      Jacki

      Hello friends,

      Yesterday I was conducting "paper management" and discovered the mammogram order which I failed to get done this year.  It made me start wondering….would the PET/CT scan show other kinds of cancer beyond mel?  I know my scans revealed a likely thyroid issue (not cancer), so I'm thinking it could identify other hot spots where a different kind of cancer may exist.

      Thanks for your feedback!

      Jacki

    Viewing 9 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm
        Beckyinsandiego
        Participant
          Hi Jacki….this is a good Question because I was wondering the same thing. I just had my 2nd pet/ct in the last 6 months and I think if I had breast cancer it would show up. I hate getting mamms they suck. One time they did some damage to my clavicle and it hurt for a long time. Are you in remission right now? Good luck with your journey in life and always believe you are in charge!!!!!!
            • October 3, 2011 at 1:55 am
            jax2007gxp
            Participant

              Hi Becky,

              In charge?  Wow….I thought only the people who deal with me in person saw that characteristic in me.  Haha!  Really though, you are RIGHT!

              Remission?  I dunno…I'm planning to ask the doctor on Tuesday because I've been wondering that myself.  Do I start counting NED from the date of surgery?  Or do I wait until my next PET/CT?

              Cheers!

              Jacki 

              • October 3, 2011 at 1:55 am
              jax2007gxp
              Participant

                Hi Becky,

                In charge?  Wow….I thought only the people who deal with me in person saw that characteristic in me.  Haha!  Really though, you are RIGHT!

                Remission?  I dunno…I'm planning to ask the doctor on Tuesday because I've been wondering that myself.  Do I start counting NED from the date of surgery?  Or do I wait until my next PET/CT?

                Cheers!

                Jacki 

              • October 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm
              Beckyinsandiego
              Participant
                Hi Jacki….this is a good Question because I was wondering the same thing. I just had my 2nd pet/ct in the last 6 months and I think if I had breast cancer it would show up. I hate getting mamms they suck. One time they did some damage to my clavicle and it hurt for a long time. Are you in remission right now? Good luck with your journey in life and always believe you are in charge!!!!!!
                • October 2, 2011 at 6:50 pm
                W.
                Participant

                  A PET/CT scan would detect all kinds of active tumors above a certain size.

                  Mammograms however are better to discover small tumors.

                  • October 2, 2011 at 6:50 pm
                  W.
                  Participant

                    A PET/CT scan would detect all kinds of active tumors above a certain size.

                    Mammograms however are better to discover small tumors.

                    • October 2, 2011 at 7:27 pm
                    Richard_K
                    Participant
                      Based on very recent personal experience, I agree with the posting of “Anonymous”. My most recent PET/CT scan picked up a hot spot that was not melanoma.
                      Dick
                      • October 2, 2011 at 7:27 pm
                      Richard_K
                      Participant
                        Based on very recent personal experience, I agree with the posting of “Anonymous”. My most recent PET/CT scan picked up a hot spot that was not melanoma.
                        Dick
                        • October 2, 2011 at 9:49 pm
                        KatyWI
                        Participant

                          PET would show a breast tumor, but it would have to be ~1 cm or larger due to the resolution of PET.  Having had a met in the breast, when it showed up on PET they ordered a mammogram to get a better image.  You should probably get the damn mammo, sucky though it may be. 

                          KatyWI

                          • October 2, 2011 at 9:49 pm
                          KatyWI
                          Participant

                            PET would show a breast tumor, but it would have to be ~1 cm or larger due to the resolution of PET.  Having had a met in the breast, when it showed up on PET they ordered a mammogram to get a better image.  You should probably get the damn mammo, sucky though it may be. 

                            KatyWI

                            • October 3, 2011 at 1:50 am
                            jax2007gxp
                            Participant

                              Thanks for all of the replies and the clarification.  Good to know I don't show any other hot spots that are large enough to see.  So….I guess I'm gonna have to get the mamm scheduled.  Oh joy!  I've had a couple in the past few years.  My mother was a breast cancer survivor, so my doctor is aggressive with the mamm scheduling!  Just thinking I have to go back in the spring…I don't want to have to say…Oooops, I forgot/flaked/was distratcted by mel/just really didn't wanna!  LOL

                              Jacki

                              • October 3, 2011 at 1:50 am
                              jax2007gxp
                              Participant

                                Thanks for all of the replies and the clarification.  Good to know I don't show any other hot spots that are large enough to see.  So….I guess I'm gonna have to get the mamm scheduled.  Oh joy!  I've had a couple in the past few years.  My mother was a breast cancer survivor, so my doctor is aggressive with the mamm scheduling!  Just thinking I have to go back in the spring…I don't want to have to say…Oooops, I forgot/flaked/was distratcted by mel/just really didn't wanna!  LOL

                                Jacki

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