PET Scan developments

Sorry to hear your news.  The chemo used for H&N cancer is unlikely to do anything outside of the area where the radiotherapy is applied.  The 2 work in tandem with the chemo making the cancer cells extra sensitive to the RT.  This is different to other forms of chemo.

As to the MRI it is likely that they just ordered a head and neck MRI which did not look at your chest.  Normally early on  in diagnosing your condition you will have a standard chest x-ray to check the chest is clear.  Maybe it was at that time.  The PET/CT scan is a whole body scan so that is why it picked up the chest area.

It sounds like they are not so worried about your lungs just at this moment.  They are the experts so maybe ask them why and what will happen post H&N treatment - possibly they think it is not actually a cancer as the PET scan can pick up all sorts of infections.  Their expertise in interpreting the scans helps make their judgement on what course of treatment is best at that time.

Hi. These are questions for your team really. 
I can tell you that small cancers don’t show up on MRI and as Peter says it wouldn’t have been aimed at your chest anyway After treatment my MRI was clear but I had residual activity on PET where the cancer had originally been 

Chemotherapy does have some action on cancer but it’s basically used to sensitise the cells to RT which is the main treatment. 

Thank you for you replies & I am frustrated.

I comprehend your perspective, but I am struggling to understand why, after three scans, a comprehensive full-body examination was not conducted.

Considering the seven weeks of intensive treatment and recovery I have to endure, and given your awareness of such processes and associated pain, can you envision undergoing a similar ordeal for a pulmonary condition, particularly when a recovery period spanning several months is anticipated?

I was hopeful with the throat treatment planned , now I feel back to square one.

Thanks 

The spots on the lungs are just as likely to be inflammation as cancer. I had two nodules on CT. One was just under the pleura and 9mm which is marginally suggestive of malignancy both in size and position but it ended up just being a vestige of some past infection many years ago. 
The fact that your team is addressing your throat first seems to suggest it isn’t too much of a concern. 

Thank you. Its been a tough 3 months.  I'm trying to stay positive. 

Hi, has anyone mentioned sarcoidosis as the possible cause? The name sounds evil and cancer-like, but in fact it is completely benign in the majority of people.

I mention this because my husband has recently had a very similar experience. After his diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer the whole-body scan showed hot spots in the lungs, including lymph nodes. In his case they were not prepared to treat the cancer until they bottomed out whether the lung issue was cancer, even though all the specialists were saying that it was much more likely to be sarcoidosis. He had a further, inconclusive, scan and then a rather unpleasant biopsy. The whole process took six weeks before he got the all-clear on his lungs. It was sarcoidosis, just as they thought all along, but my husband’s ‘real’ cancer had developed quite a lot in that time. In his case the proposed first-line treatment was surgery, and it would have been a wasted, massive operation if he also had cancer in his lungs, so we can understand the need to investigate thoroughly, but it was still a very frustrating and anxious time.

Thank you for your reply.

I have not been provided with extensive information. It has been primarily communicated that the nature of the issue is unknown at this stage. However, at this juncture, they are prioritising my throat treatment and do not wish to delay it for further investigation of my lungs

I am frustrated by the extended waiting of the treatment process, and I am concerned that my condition may have potentially deteriorated. I can only hope its something else. 

Blacksheep110750 said:

I am frustrated by the extended waiting of the treatment process, and I am concerned that my condition may have potentially deteriorated. I can only hope its something else. 

I found my cancer August 4 and my first RT was December 12. A few weeks delay doesn’t make so much difference. 

Thank you for your reply.

I have documented the progression of my tumor through photographs from its initial detection to the present. The tumor's growth has exhibited weekly changes.(Its frighening) My lymph nodes initially presented with one palpable lump, which has since increased to four, and there is now a potential concern regarding my lungs. I have consulted with two additional physicians who have expressed concerns about the delay in commencing treatment. Thats why I am seeking further clarification and understanding through this platform through people that has gone through the process. 

Thanks