MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
PET/CT and MRI show different results
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

PET/CT and MRI show different results

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › PET/CT and MRI show different results

  • Post
    • February 21, 2018 at 12:50 pm
    Tracyyy
    Participant

      Hi,

      Mum is stage 3 (you can check my profile for more info).

      On 12 Feb she had a PET/CT which was all clear except one pelvic node in the area of the inguinal nodes removed in December 2017. After PET scan our onc advised us to make an additional MRI of the pelvis to determine the exact location of the node so the doctors could perform another sugery.

      Yesterday we made the MRI and got the results right away. They showed the same pelvic node as the PET scan, but also few more satelite lymph-gland masses in the lymph channels, many insignificantly enlarged pelvic nodes and enlarged superficial inguinal lymph nodes in the other left side of the groin…

      So which scan should we trust now? PET/CT showed nothing of the above.

      Our docs turned down operation when they saw the MRI and instead suggested BRAF inhibitors if mum is positive /we are having the BRAF testing right away/. After that one of the oncs said mum should start chemo, NOT immunotherapy and I got just mad. I immediately asked what about immunotherapy and she said this is the typical course of action in our country – you have to fail chemo and then try other options. And she told me stop reading bulshit in the Internet. Just cannot believe it.

      I suggest none of you were suggested chemo given the new treatment options. And have you had difference in PET/CT and MRI results?

       

       

    Viewing 0 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 21, 2018 at 1:46 pm
        adrianc
        Participant

          A little bit more information would be helpful for example what was the measurement of the left groin node as per the MRI?If bigger than 5-6 mm it should have shown on the PET .Not sure what country your mom is being treated in but her doctors must have mentioned what kind of  chemoterapy had been discussed.Chemotherapy had shown not to be very effective in melanoma.If you are not confident with the medical care your mom is receiving in your country maybe you should seek treatment in close by countries medical centers that are up to date with the latest melanoma treatments.Best of luck to you and your mom.

            • February 21, 2018 at 2:02 pm
            Tracyyy
            Participant

              Thank you. As per the MRI some of the nodes in the left groin are sized 18 -20 mm which is quite big and should have also lit up on the PET/CT. Probably they are enlarged due to other reasons as they showed no uptake few days ago. We are in Bulgaria and health care system is so messed up here. Currently seeking for other treatment abroad.

              • February 21, 2018 at 4:19 pm
              adrianc
              Participant

                Nodes can be enlarged due to other reasons like passing an infection, inflammation,recent surgery etc.However you should request the MRI report if you don't have one and go over the results with her doctors.Cancerous lesions have specific patterns like non uniform enchancement and round morphology.Any node that is bigger than 1.1 cm is considered abnormal so with melanoma diagnosis you should leave nothing to the chance.Best wishes,

          Viewing 0 reply threads
          • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
          About the MRF Patient Forum

          The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

          The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

          Popular Topics