Do only malignan tumors show up on PET scans? I thought aPet scan showed how masses metabolize the gluclose that is injected. or maybe I am completely wrong and misunderstood how it works.

Hi
I am not sure, but you have looked it up on the Internet?
Kim

Yes Pet Scans pick up abnormal metabolism of the glucose marker. Many cancers metabolize it many times faster than normal cells. So it can't always tell between a malignant or benign tumor as benign tumors can grow fast also. And in my case the PET scan didn't even show my 7.7 cm tumor because it was a carcinoid and they have lower metabolism of glucose. For that type of cancer an Ostreotide scan is used instead.

Dave

PET scans will show any areas of metabolism, normal or not, malignant or not. When I saw my PET scan, my heart sank because of all the "lit up" areas. From looking at it, you would think I only had days to live, but it was a normal scan.

Your heart, bladder and other areas will light up - anywhere metabolism takes place. The test is not 100% accurate - but pretty close.

In my husbands last pet scan his upper mid abdomen showed an svu 4.8 uptake so he had a CAT scan in that area and it showed it to be normal.Pet scans are the best but a CT scan is also helpful.

Thanks everyone. That info is really helpful. Hopefully eveything will tuen out ok. I'm supposed to get a biopsy of it friday but have a cold, so dont know if he will do it...do biopsies of t he lung hurt afterward? I might go to work after.
thanks

Mine didn't hurt BUT when the doc tried to take a brushing of the tumor (this was before she even tried the needle) it started bleeding profusely and she had to cauterize it and decided against using the needle altogether so I didn't find out for sure what kind of cancer it was until after the lobectomy.

Dave

thanks
Theres new info...my doctor told me that the report showed that there was no significant uptake, and now he doubts my pulmonary specialist will do a biopsy on friday. He said he will probably wait 6-12 mon. Is that unsual? That would cause me a year of anxiety when they could just do it now...I think its big enough to do it.

My heart hurts
Did your pulmonary doctor say how big the mass was? When my husband first was diag with LC his was 10 cm and they did get it all. He had nscl squamous LC. They did get it all but I do know how you feel. We have to go every three months for three years for scans and then every 6 mos for two years. We live a normal life for two months and then the thrid month waiting for a scan result is so hard on us.

my specialist didnt do the biopsy like everyone (including drs) thought. he briefly looked at the report and said "well you have something". I asked him what "something" was. he said something going on with your lungs. ....ok? he just gave me 2 inhalers, 2 RXs for pills and a nasal spray and wants me to do a capacity test on my lungs in 2 weeks. I guess he said its kind of like when you do the stress test on your heart when they make you jog.....I dont know what to do, I wish someone could give me an answer whether or not the nodules are still there, thats all.

OH yea it is almost 1 inch.

Can you go for a second opinion?That is what we did and got the right answers. If not you do have a right for your doctor to answer all your questions go back annd bring someone with you this way you will have four ears and two moths to ask and hear all the answers.Try for a second opinion though and also bring someone with you.