PET scan 10 weeks post treatment

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My husband had 6 weeks of chemoradiation for cancer of the larynx which ended on the 23rd August. On the 21st October he had an appointment with a consultant who carried out a laryngoscopy. It all felt quite positive as she said the scarring in his throat had healed well and there was no visible sign of the cancer on his larynx anymore. The lump in his neck had also gone. We did mention a couple of concerns. It hurts when he rolls on the side where he had his PEG removed (removed in August) and he has a runny nose. She didn't seem too concerned by either of these.

The next day he gets a phone call asking him to go for a PET scan on the 1st November. This is only 10 weeks after his treatment and I was worried it was too soon. My husband said we had to trust they knew what they were doing. I decided it was a positive thing as they had seen how well he had healed and responded to the treatment.

We have a follow up appointment on Monday and now I'm anxious that they did the scan early as they think the cancer has spread. I wrongly googled this and found that they would only usually do a scan before 3 months if they thought it had spread. I feel so anxious now and like our lives might be about to be shattered again. 

Did anyone else have a PET scan before 12 weeks?

  • Unless the consultant specified a date for the scan your husband might have been booked in and an early slot opened up. Thats what happened to me though it was after 12 weeks. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below 

    https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com 

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  • Good evening. This is why we say steer clear of Google, as I have never heard of this statement before. The scans they do vary so much. I have never had a scan after my surgery or radiotherapy yet some have it a few months after surgery/treatment. In most cases, a scan is done to see how things are progressing, im sure they would not say everything is all clear if it wasn't. I hope all is ok with your husband's appointment on Monday, all the best. 

                                                                        Chris x

                                                                                                

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • Hi, I had a scan at 9 weeks.  My Consultant put the request in (as 'immediate') expecting there to be a wait but I got a very quick appointment. The images weren't conclusive (it was, indeed too early to see anything) so had to be scanned again a few weeks later! 

    Lx