PET Imaging

Can cancer patients be evaluated annually with PET scanning? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Why can't cancer patients be evaluated annually with PET scanning? If it is simply a matter of cost, can't a patient pay for one his/herself? It would be worth the cost for the peace of mind gained. Peeyush...
Can PET Scan Tell Type of Tumor? Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My father had a surgery for stomach cancer three years ago. Recently, he was found to have some tumor around his neck. His PET scan result shows that he has tumor. Can the PET test check out whether the tumor is...
F-18 FDG PET in the Evaluation of Hepatocellular Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I just found out that I have liver cancer and the oncologist wants to do a PET Scan. She told me the reason for this test, but I'm not sure I understand. Can you explain? Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the...
FDG PET for Sarcoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Is pet imaging helpful for people with scarcoma? 8 weeks ago I had a large uterine leiomyoscarcoma tumor removed. Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of...
Measuring the SUV (Standardized Uptake Value) for PET scans Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have had three PET scans for my malignant melanoma. My first one was April 2000 to evaluate me for Interferon; it was negative. The second was October 2001 because I had another lymph node swollen. That PET was...
PET for breast cancers and melanoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," Can you explain why PET is used in breast cancer and melanoma? Peeyush Bhargava MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:PET scans are very useful in...
PET Scan after Surgery or Radiation Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I know a woman who had a lobectomy after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She was told that she did not need adjuvant chemotherapy. She just had a PET scan which showed at least one lymph node that was...
Pet Scan and Lung Cancer Size Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," How large does a lung nodule have to be for a PET scan to be accurate or the test of choice? Anil Vachani, MD, Attending Physician at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, responds:Pet is generally not...
PET scan for evaluation lung nodules Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have a nodule in my right lung. Please tell me about the advantages of having a PET Scan test done to determine if this nodule is cancerous or not. Is this a painful test? Please tell me what will be done to me...
PET Scan Sensitivity for Colon Cancer Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 signet ring cell adenocarcinoma [of the colon] in December 2005 and had 5 months of chemotherapy. Within the past month, his CEA level has risen from 1.5 to 3.4. His doctor...
PET Scans with a Pacemaker Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My 88 yr. old mother is scheduled to have a PET scan this week but has a pacemaker. Can this test be performed on a patient with a pacemaker?Peeyush Bhargava, MD, Chief Fellow in the Department of Nuclear Medicine at...
PET Sensitivity and Lymph Nodes Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I am from Australia and I was hoping you may be able to point me in the direction of any relevant research articles (or give your advice). My husband had a PET scan before his surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of...
The Role of PET in Melanoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," My Aunt (age 58) just got diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma on the back of her shoulder. I think it is a good idea for her to get tested to make sure it did not spread to her lymph nodes and lungs. Would a PET scan...
The role of PET scanning in lymphoma Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I would like to have some idea about the role of PET scan in lymphomas. Should we use PET even if CT scan is normal? Does a negative PET Scan exclude and positive confirm residual disease? Peeyush Bhargava MD,...
Usefulness of PET scans Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts," I have heard that there is a new scan for cancer patients? that is called a PET scan. They say that it lets doctors detect the exact location of the cancer. This keeps patients from having to have surgery to locate...