PET CT scan result

Ally3 said:

I don’t know whether I feel reassured or not. Anyone else had something like this? 

She is right. Relax. It happens a lot. Now go away and celebrate 

Hi Ally. Like Dani says it happens a lot. The treatment can linger   I didn’t have my pet ct scan until start of week 18 ny oncologist likes   to leave the scan as late as possible   I know  a few who  still had  reactive lymph nodes showing traces   3 months later re scanned and ni evidences of cancer. You’ll be closely monitored for the next 5 years. 

hugs 

Hazel 

Hi Ally, be reassured... I had to have several scans post treatment because of this faint activity but they were confident it was fine (and it was).  I'm almost 3 years post treatment now. 

Lisa x

Thank you Lisa, Dani and Hazel

It just puts a seed of doubt in your mind. The consultant is on holiday this week but I’m being discussed at MDT meeting next Tuesday for completion.

Hi Ali , yes I had a similar experience after a PET scan following treatment . There was evidence of slight avidity (i had never heard of that word before) in a lymph node and the consultant arranged for another scan about 6 weeks later. Thankfully this showed a further reduction and the consultant and oncologist were completely relaxed about this result. Relaxed is not a word I can easily relate to nowadays!! I guess that is the norm in our circumstances. Anyway I’m now just approaching 2 years since treatment finished and physically feeling 100%. Psychologically I still have days where I experience a blip, again I think this is understandable after what we have gone through. As people have said this probably happens a lot. My very best wishes to you 

Thank you for your kind words McAndy

I’m so pleased you’re doing well.  It’s a tough journey going through treatment and it does take its toll both physically and psychologically.  I don’t think the worry will ever go away as each appointment, scan etc will be an anxious time. Just got to live life as best we can and be thankful for every day. That’s what I’m telling myself

Take care

Ally

Ally3 said:

 I don’t think the worry will ever go away as each appointment, scan etc will be an anxious time.

It does, honestly. I spoke to my oncologist during one of our Lockdown conversations about it. He told me I would just have to get used to it...Charming bedside manner... BUT he was right. Not only do you get used to it but it actually largely disappears

Hi Ally, thank you for sharing with us. I understand that this is a scary time! I've read that this happens often though; and, I went through something similar on my post-treatment PET.

My cancer was on the right side base of tongue, and in my right cervical lymph node. To ensure that no cancer would travel to the left side, I had radiation (very high doses) to both the right and left side of my throat (and also chemotherapy). I had a complete response to the treatment.

On the PET scan, the left side (non-cancer side) tonsil area was lighting up, and bright. My oncologist was pretty sure it was still the radiation working and all the inflammation causing it to light up. I saw my ENT about 1 week later, and he did not see anything concerning with the scope. I had a follow-up CT one month after the PET; and, the CT confirmed that there was no cancer. It was in fact, inflammation and the radiation still 'working.'

It's hard when you have been through so much, and I completely understand! I was nervous when they told me my PET was lighting up on the opposite side, but I really trust my doctor and the radiology team, and they did all the right things to monitor me and ensure that I was indeed, clear of any cancer. Sending you all the best!! Hope you can rest your brain a bit this weekend~Tara

Hi Tara

Thank you so much for taking the time to post such a reassuring reply. It means a lot.

Hugs

Ally xx

You are very welcome! I know how you feel. Please try and rest a bit this weekend! ~Tara