Octreotide Scan - any risks? - Cancer Message Board

Thelma-Louise · 03-28-2007, 09:04 PM

My sister's endocrinologist wants her to have an octreotide scan done but she is nervous b/c when she called to make the appt they told her it was a 2 day test involving an injection of a nuclear tagged substance - so she told them she would call back and never did. And then a co-worker said she had it done and was told to stay away from her husband for 2 days since she was "radioactive". Is there any truth to this? Are there any risks with having this scan done that her doctor is not telling us about (he pooh-poohed her concerns at her last appt). Has anyone had this done and if so, can you tell me about your experience so I can ease her mind a bit. Thanks.

SamQKitty · 03-29-2007, 08:35 PM

I did a quick search on this, and nowhere did it say you had to avoid contact with people after the scan. The only cautions were that certain meds might need to be stopped a few days before, and women who are breast-feeding should probably not do so for a few days after the test.

Octeotide scans are used to detect cancers of the neuro-endocrine system. This is not a routine test (as, for example, mammograms after a certain age or psa's for men), so presumably there is a reason your sister's doctor has suggested this test. Everything in life has a risk/benefit ratio. Your sister must weigh the small risk of the test versus the benefit of detecting a cancer early, while it is still treatable. Or, even better...ruling out cancer altogether!

While I don't know anyone personally who has had this test, I do remember many years ago when my mother was treated with radioactive iodine for a thyroid problem. She was not told to avoid hugging or kissing us, and we turned out fine!

Ruth

Thelma-Louise · 03-29-2007, 11:38 PM

Thanks for your reply. I found one hospital site that recommended you not go near very young children or infants for a few hrs after getting the injection for the test but most other sites stated the amt of radiation exposure is no more than a normal xray - it mostly gets flushed from your system so they urge you to drink plenty of fluids afterwards.

You're right - the dr is looking for a hidden tumor that may be secreting a chemical or hormone and she has had ultra sound, MRIs, CT scans and 2 heart caths - they initially thought it was cardio related but now suspect that something else is causing cardio symptoms or affecting the heart since no physical abnormalites are apparent like a faulty valve or clogged artery, etc. But now her abdomen has become very distended and she keeps getting rashes over her butt, neck or chest area that come and go and she feels rotten (no other way to describe it) all the time. He also wants her to get a colonoscopy which she is not thrilled about either.

I spoke to her again today about it and she said she would make the appt tomorrow - we'll see. Thanks again.

SamQKitty · 03-30-2007, 03:48 PM

I hope she makes the appointment asap. It is usually so much more successful to treat things (cancer or any illness) earlier than later!

Ruth