Do the pet scans include the brain?

[mich]

I am not sure if the scan includes the brain or not...its a standard colon cancer scan at USC.

[RayGirl]

mine are always described as eye to thigh coverage, but I'm not sure if that is standard everywhere.

[fourT's]

My hubby's have been of just the chest and abdomen.

[Bev G]

Hello Mich:

Using the standard protocol, his brain will not be scanned, unless there is a specific reason to do so.

HTH

Bev

[simon031003]

Esteban has never had his brain scanned. As a matter of fact, he was having headaches and onc said that if they persisted (which they didn't) that he would order a separate scan of his brain.

[Gloria]

All of my scans were from brain to thigh

[aussielones]

I had a PET today, and I do believe i Had the whole shabang. Took ages! I'm not sure if it's common procedure though or on a needs must basis.

[catta]

My dads pet scans always started at the base of his skull, down to his thighs.. hence the reason why his braim met was missed for so long(2 years was their estimate).. he was told a PET SCAN doesnt always pick up things in the brain , as its not as indepth.. his brain met was found by a brain MRI...

[Georgie]

It usually depends in the protocol of the centre as to whether or not the brain is included in a PET scan.

So, with PET scans, the radioactive glucose molecule (FDG) is taken up by areas of the body that use glucose as its primary food source. The brain uses glucose as its primary food source. This means that basically the brain takes up enough of the tracer to be imaged quite well. The problem is that it is very difficult to tell the difference between normal brain uptake and tumour/mets in the brain. For this reason MRI is the imaging modality of choice when brain mets are suspected.

Where I have worked previously, the scanning protocol for CRC patients is base of skull to just below groin. This encompasses the major areas CRC usually occupies and spreads to.

So, long story short, they may or may not scan his brain. If brain mets are a concern then an MRI is the best way of detecting them.

Fingers crossed for good results!!

Georgie

[BrownBagger]

If you look at a PET scan image, the brain is all lit up, as is the groin area. As Georgie says, that makes it difficult to read the brain.

I've heard the same thing about persistent headaches. I rarely get one, so when I do, I sweat.

[jules10100]

I had never received a brain MRI before passing out and going to the local ER last week. When I started the clinical trial I was on a few weeks ago, I had mentioned to my onc that I was getting headaches. His response was less then 1 % of rectal cancer metastasizes to the brain, so typically a routine scan does not include a brain scan. So lucky me, I'm in that 1%. Makes you wonder if I could have known earlier. Finished tx 5 today. My poor husband did a heroic job fighting my insurance battle. After about 500 phone calls and appeals, we were finally approved to continue whole Brain rad at Uci. Even on thanksgiving! So thankful to be at home and looking forward to getting well! Maybe I will be the 1% that beats this flipping Bitch of a disease?!

[Ashlee H.]

Jules - so happy to hear you got the insurance issue handled and will have treatments at UCI. As you know, I've been terribly worried about you.
My scans have only been from the base of the neck to the thighs...guess I'll have to have a conversation with my ONC about when they do the brain scans.
Prayers twice a day for you to have your brain mets disappear. I hope this treatment goes quickly for you.
Lots of hugs!

[fritts44]

Yeah Jules! Your husband's persistence worked! I'm pulling for you from GA!

Lee F

[jules10100]

Showed up for treatment this am, now told not approved. Explained to Doc about vp at PAC care approving. So 10 mi. Later they say it is approved and send me In. Then I get home and my hubby says Uci won't contract with The medical group calla Uci says no approval. Uugggggggg. I'm losing my patience. On the way back to see Onc for Chemo plan after radiation. Had just made plans to go to spend weekend camping and eating and was so happy!! Put a fork in me, I'm done!

[fritts44]

Oh no, Jules -- I'm so sorry about the insurance. That's so frustrasting!!! Keep appealing!!!

Lee F