PET scan results/your input please

[beach sunrise]

Findings:There is interim resection of a hypermetabolic mass in the right lateral rectal wall. There are no areas of FDG uptake to suggest a tumor recurrance or metastatic disease.
Impression: No PET-CT evidence of tumor recurrance or metastic disease.

Does this mean inflammation at resection sight or what?

AND, called Walgreens to get xeloda scrip filled, 3 month supply. Answer was "Sorry, we can only one at a time and can not do it until first of Oct per your insurance." My response was "So, you are telling me you don't care about peoples health, wellbeing and lifestyle, you just please insurance companies? There's a reason insurance companies have reinbursement forms and I am paying cash then "I" will deal with my insurance." She said "Are you finished. You done? We will send one refill out on the 6th per insurance." Man, that pissed me off to no end. I said "Yes, ma'am I am done with Walgreens." I am in the process of having it moved to another pharm.

[claudine]

I'm sorry Beach Sunrise, I'm not sure I understand. is there or isn't there a met? The scan seems to suggest there's none, so why treat? Am I reading this all wrong?

[beach sunrise]

Nothing found but a hypermetabolic mass. His take is probably met(s) not big enough to be seen yet.

[boxhill]

Wait, doesn't this report imply that there was a prior resection of a mass, but clearly state that there is no evidence of current tumor or mets?

I agree: I don't see where there is anything that needs to be treated according to this report. It seems as if you have had adjuvant therapy and it worked???

FWIW, any kind of inflammation can light up, including prior surgical sites, at least according to my understanding. My H had an inflamed spot in his hipbone light up after prostate cancer. It wasn't a bone met, it was an indication of what led to his subsequent hip replacement.

[jts]

I had a PET-CT about 6 months after surgery because of rising CEA. The site of the operation also lit up the PET. The radiologist said that's normal and not to worry about it. They still will do colonoscopies to watch for local recurrences.

If there is something suspect on your scan, is there any way they can do a biopsy, or an MRI to see more detail?

[beach sunrise]

Hi jts, Thank you for your input. I sure hope its just inflammation. I haven't gotten second look opinion on scan yet. Waiting patiently for it
I am happy to hear your surgery went well!