[Mildred]

Can a PET scan pick up other cancers?

by Mildred on Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:01 pm

When a PET scan is done to detect myeloma, can other cancers be picked up by the scan or is it done specifically for the myeloma lesions?

[Multibilly]

Re: Can a PET scan pick up other cancers?

by Multibilly on Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:11 pm

Mildred,

A PET/CT simply looks for cancer cells of any type in the body. But are you worried about there being some other kind of cancer that could appear on your husband's skeleton and not being able to distinguish any findings from multiple myeloma?

The way a PET/CT works is that your husband will be given a radioactive glucose cocktail before his PET/CT. Cancer cells metabolize glucose considerably faster than normal, healthy cells. So, the cancer cells will incorporate more of the radioactive material into themelves than that of healthy cells in the body. The areas in the body that have these radioactive cancer cells present will then "light up" when the PET/CT scan is done.

[Mildred]

Re: Can a PET scan pick up other cancers?

by Mildred on Tue Nov 04, 2014 8:57 pm

Thanks, Multibilly. My husband had his PET scan last Wednesday, and we are going to the oncologist for the results tomorrow. And yes, I do believe my imagination is running wild here (something showing up in the liver or some other place).

My husband goes to the doctor regularly for checkups with his internist and always has good reports. Also his white cells are in the right category, he is not anemic, nor any other signs (not losing weight, appetite or any other bad symptoms).

My mind just works overtime with worry. Any suggestions on how to calm one's nerves while waiting are appreciated.

Thanks again, Multibilly!