Diagnosed with HPV throat

So sorry to find you here but stick around, there’s lots of help to be found. 
A PET scan usually comes as a combined PET/CT scan.  You get an injection if radioactive sugar especially prepared for you and The PET portion of the scanner detects possible cancer cells because they use more sugar for energy than normal cells. The CT portion acts as a sort of framework if your body for the first scan to be superimposed in it so that the clever radiologists can tell what they are looking at. That’s a simplistic overview 

Is it because your team haven’t found a primary cancer? That’s often a reason for a PET scan before treatment. It’s used after to assess response too

its painless and the whole process takes about two hours. Not the scan, that’s quick. You just have to wait ages for the injection to take effect. These scanner / waiting rooms can be old so wear something warm and take some music or some to read. Your phone won’t work as these machines are buried behind feet of concrete. 

best of luck 

Hi, Emeraldgirl, I don't know much about the scans, however they have been explained pretty well.Although I do know how scary it is to be diagnosed with cancer, once all the testing and scans got underway I did feel better about it, the fact that something was being done about it, and I'm sure you will too. Once all your results are in and they give you the treatment plan, you can then focus on the fact that  everything is being done to get you well again. The treatment is pretty harsh but very doable, many on here have done it including myself with good results. Please don't feel alone always ask on here any questions you have, nearly always someone will come back with an answer, it's a great forum for that with lots of people who have been in the same position as you are in now. Also ask your team as many questions as you have and tell them about any worries you have. I wish you all the very best.

Regards Ray.

Hello Emeraldgirl , some great advice from others on this forum, I don't honestly know the difference between them, i have had a ct scan and MRI scans. When i was first diagnosed with cancer i did not know anything about these scans or cancer, but i soon learned quite quickly. I never had access to a computer then so i just turned up to my appointments and had the scans done, i was nervous but never frightened as none of these machines will do anything to "scare you to death " i found them to be ok and have had more since then. Personally i think you will find the more relaxed you towards all of this the easier it is to cope, so maybe it would be a good idea to ask to speak to someone in your team or a councillor who should be able to put your mind at ease, sometimes they can prescribe something to help calm things down . I expect most of us who are on this forum/site have had scans done and have all live through the process and come out the other side. I agree waiting around is not good so i tended to keep myself busy so as not to keep thinking about it as its going to be quite a long journey. I think i coped by not knowing what lay ahead and just dealt with each stage /issue as it approached. 

      I hope some of the replies you got will help reassure you, but please re-post if you need more help or reassurance and we will try and help. I hope it all turns out ok for you, wishing you all the best, take care.

                                                                                                            Chris x

Emeraldgirl

The waiting part is the worst for all of us, as you can't focus on anything. Try and take each day as it comes, as that will be all you can do when or if any treatment starts.

All the treatment is doable, you will need to stay Strong and YOU will get through it.

Keep in touch here and the community will try to help you or point you in the right direction.

You will get lots of support from the professionals.

Each individual is different and we all react and recover at different stages.

Remember not everything works for everyone, but there maybe alternatives that do and recovery will take time, so you may have to be patient sometimes.

Regards

Dave