Bronchoscopy and other tests

My husband had a mass on his right lung, they were  very sure it was cancer,  when he had his PET CT scan they discovered it was cavatating phenomena. His biopsy was then cancelled.  Has she had her PET scan?

I think the PET scan is maybe the one that she would need to lift her arms up for, so hopefully she will manage to do that.

Did your husband have any symptoms with that?

I have rheumatoid arthritis in my shoulders so couldn't lift my arms above my head so they did my PET scan with arms by my side. They know the scans need done so try to get you in the most comfortable position that you're able to keep still. Hope your Mum gets answers soon 

That's an interesting one.. I had problems with holding my arms  up for most scans and the Biopsy , but after an aborted Biopsy  we settled to  take more pain killers , a relaxant and do the biopsy from the side. I was advised that Bronchoscopy was a safer option in my case but it was refused. It never ceases  to amaze me  how they still keep doing tests when  there is no further treatment proposed. One option offered to me was the chance of a second opinion for treatment, I have possible bilateral lung cancer  with an almost certain kidney cancer . So not sure what course they would offer, if any due to  other health issues.  But hope the info helps your mum in respect of the scans being done another way, I was also advised that the need for the arm up depends on  where the tumour is in the lung. The other thing is which  radiologist, they generally have  their own preference for position.  Good luck to you and your Mum.   

mg20 I’m not far into my journey so can’t help with treatment options but I can share my experience of the scans. I had the PET scan and when I told the chap about my shoulders he told me to tuck my arms in and hands under bottom. It was fine. The scan was unaffected. I’m sure this would work for your mum. I hope a plan is in place soon for mum’s treatment.

Thank you for your suggestion , some medics don't take into account patients other health issues. Shows it can be done without arms in air. I was told with the lung they need the shoulder blade in a different position hence the arms being up .  Have a nice day. 

I've had to raise my arms above my head for CTs (although once when I couldn't due to broken ribs they got me to put the, at my sides with my hands under my bottom), but not for PETs.

If surgery isn't an option (and it sounds like it's not), then radiotherapy is sometimes used either on its own or in combination with chemotherapy.  Whether radiotherapy is a viable option depends on exactly where the tumour is located and whether it's too close to important structures.

While a PET will tell them the avidity and extent of the cancer - and so the clinical stage - it can't tell them which particular type of lung cancer it is or the grade.  For that they need a biopsy, which they probably hoped to get from the bronchoscopy.

It is more than reasonable to ask about the next steps, and you should have been told without having to ask. Even when there is no active treatment option, controlling symptoms to maximise quality of life is important.

I hope you are given some clarity soon.

I can’t  put hands over head but had petscan with them taped by my side 

I had my lung biopsy lying on my side with arm across chest . But my scans  were done with arms over head . Its difficult for me to hold my arms up over my head for any length of time. Good to see hospital radiology are looking at other ways to do tests etc.