› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Should I get the pet scan?
- This topic has 18 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 7 months ago by
Charlie S.
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- May 16, 2011 at 6:27 pm
I know oncologits don't like to order pet scans for stage 2 folks like me unless they are symptomatic,but my gp doctor wants to do a 2 year follow up pet scan. The only symptom I have is a palpable lymph node under the culprit arm.
I sorta figure 'why not?' as it's a chance maybe to see if I'm all okay.
mitzi
I know oncologits don't like to order pet scans for stage 2 folks like me unless they are symptomatic,but my gp doctor wants to do a 2 year follow up pet scan. The only symptom I have is a palpable lymph node under the culprit arm.
I sorta figure 'why not?' as it's a chance maybe to see if I'm all okay.
mitzi
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- May 16, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I am certainly not the brightest crayon in this box, but it seems to me it would be good to check out that lymph node to see why it is swollen . Has he done that?
I personally wouldn't get a PET scan (radiation) unless I was stage 3 or higher. If you have no evidence that the cancer has gone into the lymph system, I think a PET is premature.
Nicki, Stage3b, scalp
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- May 16, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I am certainly not the brightest crayon in this box, but it seems to me it would be good to check out that lymph node to see why it is swollen . Has he done that?
I personally wouldn't get a PET scan (radiation) unless I was stage 3 or higher. If you have no evidence that the cancer has gone into the lymph system, I think a PET is premature.
Nicki, Stage3b, scalp
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- May 16, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Hi,
I would want to get that node removed and the pathology report back ASAP.
I had a needle biopsy of my node, and it came back positive. I was strongly advised, positive or negative to have the whole node removed and examined by the pathologist. The advantage of the needle biopsy was that the surgeon proceded to remove all the nodes when she did the surgery.
If your node is positive and you opt to go on a drug trial, you may need specific scans for the trial.
Carole 3C back
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- May 16, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Hi,
I would want to get that node removed and the pathology report back ASAP.
I had a needle biopsy of my node, and it came back positive. I was strongly advised, positive or negative to have the whole node removed and examined by the pathologist. The advantage of the needle biopsy was that the surgeon proceded to remove all the nodes when she did the surgery.
If your node is positive and you opt to go on a drug trial, you may need specific scans for the trial.
Carole 3C back
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- May 17, 2011 at 11:17 pm
I don't think the radiation is all that bad, I believe the insurance companies just don't want to pay for pet scans so they use radiation as an excuse.
Anyhow, what do I tell my doctor? He is the one who wants me to have the test. He also pushed for me to have the node removed about a year ago. I had two removed with the WLE and that was enough for me to know I don't want any others removed!
As for the needle biopsy… a friend had one and she said it was terribly painful.
For my part I'd like to just go on acting as if the melanoma never happened.
mitzi
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- May 18, 2011 at 1:03 am
Well, a PET scan is about 600x the radiation as an x-ray – not insignificant. Or something like that – depends on where you read the data. Yes, they are very expensive, too. The thing is, a PET scan is not definitive. And if it has any SUV uptake on the node, you'd have to remove it anyway. Needle biopsies aren't all that painful – ask for some numbing. I just had a breast biopsy done right under the nipple and it was no big deal. But tell me this, you have had this enlarged node for TWO YEARS without any growth? It isn't any bigger? Your GP wants to do a PET scan just because? Pretty unlikely to be melanoma if it hasn't grown in that time frame – much more likely to be a reactive node which are common. What does your onc say about the node? I'd much prefer my onc to request the scan, not my GP.
Bottom line, however, is do what you want regardless of what anyone else says. Just make sure your insurance will cover the scan because they can be quite expensive if you have to pay.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- May 19, 2011 at 1:50 am
No, I haven't had "this enlarged node for TWO YEARS without any growth?"
What I wrote was that I had a PET/CT 2 years ago. At that time an oncologist sent me for that one several months after the WLE and SNB. He considered me high risk because the tumor was ulcerated, Clark's level 4 and had a high mitosis.
My gp feels that the node has gotten bigger since I had an ultrasound last year. I don't know because I can never seem to find it so I don't bother looking.
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- May 19, 2011 at 1:50 am
No, I haven't had "this enlarged node for TWO YEARS without any growth?"
What I wrote was that I had a PET/CT 2 years ago. At that time an oncologist sent me for that one several months after the WLE and SNB. He considered me high risk because the tumor was ulcerated, Clark's level 4 and had a high mitosis.
My gp feels that the node has gotten bigger since I had an ultrasound last year. I don't know because I can never seem to find it so I don't bother looking.
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- May 18, 2011 at 1:03 am
Well, a PET scan is about 600x the radiation as an x-ray – not insignificant. Or something like that – depends on where you read the data. Yes, they are very expensive, too. The thing is, a PET scan is not definitive. And if it has any SUV uptake on the node, you'd have to remove it anyway. Needle biopsies aren't all that painful – ask for some numbing. I just had a breast biopsy done right under the nipple and it was no big deal. But tell me this, you have had this enlarged node for TWO YEARS without any growth? It isn't any bigger? Your GP wants to do a PET scan just because? Pretty unlikely to be melanoma if it hasn't grown in that time frame – much more likely to be a reactive node which are common. What does your onc say about the node? I'd much prefer my onc to request the scan, not my GP.
Bottom line, however, is do what you want regardless of what anyone else says. Just make sure your insurance will cover the scan because they can be quite expensive if you have to pay.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- May 18, 2011 at 1:07 am
I know the radiation in PETs is enough that the standard treatment is to have them less and less. For instance, every 3 months the first year, and only every 6 months thereafter. According to my doctor, it is because of radiation.
Uh, you don't want another node removed and you don't want the pain of a needle biopsy. Maybe you need to get another opinion from another doctor.
I must say, my melanoma has caused alot of pain and inconvenience. That's the nature of the beast.
Nicki
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- May 19, 2011 at 1:54 am
This would only be my second in over two years. I don't think that would be overkill.
I've been seeing my GP for over 19 years now, it would be hard to just start over with someone else.
But anyhow, I don't think I will get the PET scan for the simple reason that only PET/CTs are done around my neck of the woods, and my GP insists on the PET scan which no one does anymore.
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- May 19, 2011 at 1:54 am
This would only be my second in over two years. I don't think that would be overkill.
I've been seeing my GP for over 19 years now, it would be hard to just start over with someone else.
But anyhow, I don't think I will get the PET scan for the simple reason that only PET/CTs are done around my neck of the woods, and my GP insists on the PET scan which no one does anymore.
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- May 18, 2011 at 1:07 am
I know the radiation in PETs is enough that the standard treatment is to have them less and less. For instance, every 3 months the first year, and only every 6 months thereafter. According to my doctor, it is because of radiation.
Uh, you don't want another node removed and you don't want the pain of a needle biopsy. Maybe you need to get another opinion from another doctor.
I must say, my melanoma has caused alot of pain and inconvenience. That's the nature of the beast.
Nicki
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- May 17, 2011 at 11:17 pm
I don't think the radiation is all that bad, I believe the insurance companies just don't want to pay for pet scans so they use radiation as an excuse.
Anyhow, what do I tell my doctor? He is the one who wants me to have the test. He also pushed for me to have the node removed about a year ago. I had two removed with the WLE and that was enough for me to know I don't want any others removed!
As for the needle biopsy… a friend had one and she said it was terribly painful.
For my part I'd like to just go on acting as if the melanoma never happened.
mitzi
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- May 19, 2011 at 3:07 am
Many people here would and do die to get a PET scan under your circumstances. I "sorta" figure what in the world is wrong with your head NOT to get the PET?
Sorry, but I wonder if you need a brain MRI for even asking this question, given your casual approach
Charlie S.
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- May 19, 2011 at 3:07 am
Many people here would and do die to get a PET scan under your circumstances. I "sorta" figure what in the world is wrong with your head NOT to get the PET?
Sorry, but I wonder if you need a brain MRI for even asking this question, given your casual approach
Charlie S.
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