I'm getting over the shock of my mum's cancer recurrence but trying to figure it out. My mum's CT scan in November showed that she was clear but this recent PET scan showed cancerous activity and there was something there although fairly small. Can infection and inflammation make tumours appear larger? My mum also had an infection in her chest and they don't know if it could make the tumour appear bigger. I don't know if immunotherapy could cause this either.
I'm not looking for false hope but I'm trying to understand how the CT scan was clear in November but now, three months later there's cancer. Even the doctor thought that my mum's scan would be clear. The doctor spoke about doing a CT scan as well.
Hi crazycatlady91.
It sounds like the scan in November was a CT? and the latest scan a PET scan? A PET scan will pick up the tiniest of tumour cells, that a CT might not see. Having said that, of course something can grow in 3 months. I agree with Kegsy, it is no good beating yourself up over this. I don't think you will get the answer you are looking for. Concentrate on the positive, that it is tiny and can be treated.
Take care
