Focal SUV levels ga68pet/ct… what does that mean?

Posted by pokeymama @pokeymama, May 7 2:56pm

Hi again amigos! I was just reviewing the results of my latest ga68 pet/ct scans and am finding conflicting information. I have stomach nets and am on a wait and watch protocol. I’m very confused about the SUV levels. My latest scan showed focal tracer activity on the uncinate process of pancreas of 4.7. In a prior scan the SUV level was 6.6. The readings say it is Physiological findings.
*Can anyone explain what all of this means? I read that a focal SUV of a certain amount indicates tumor???
Thank you in advance for the help, guidance and support you offer.

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | May 9 1:11pm

Where did you learn that high SUV levels indicate a tumor? I have been getting the ga68 pet scans for pancreatic nets, and I have never notice SUV levels mentioned on any reports. So this is new to me. Thanks.

jlsgt | @jlsgt | May 10 1:08pm

I don't think understanding SUV results is that straight forward. It's basically used to measure effectiveness of therapy as I understand it. There are many sources of bias and variance in SUV results. One example might be if a patient moves between PET and CT scans it can create artifacts in imaging? I don't think I would want my doctor to take action just based on SUV.

tstern7 | @tstern7 | May 11 1:34am

I am sorry that I don’t know what SUV levels are either, however the term physiologic findings is concerning. I would not hesitate to contact your doctor. I had a successful distal pancreatendectomy at Stanford in 2007 and Dr. Jeffrey Norton, my famous surgeon, told me the tumors would come back in about 10 years. They actually came back at 8 years but they not growing. Dr. Norton said that typically the tumors under 2cm typically don’t spread. But you need to know if they are growing. My 2 tumors have been stable since 2017. So I don’t have to get another scan for 3 years. Good luck and get on it.

tstern7 | @tstern7 | May 11 1:53am

After googling it, it means the tracer or dye they gave you was lighting up something like a tumor or that there’s some growth. I am curious if yours is just a non secreting tumor NET like mine or if yours secret hormones? Sometimes mine secrete pancreatic polypeptide. And chromagranin A, which is a tumor marker. The higher the number, the worse it is.

mimighosh | @mimighosh | May 11 12:17pm

The SUV value tells you about the metabolic activity of the tissue. It can indicate tumor growth but that’s not the only thing that can show increased activity. Certain infections or inflammatory conditions can also show higher metabolism. It is best to ask your doctor, as this test result must be considered with your full case history.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 19 8:25pm

It's always tough getting the results of a test before being able to discuss it with your doctor.However, results are best interpreted by your doctor because they have more pieces of the diagnostic puzzle to draw from, like your medical history, blood work and other findings.

@pokeymama, have you had an appointment in the meantime to go over the findings of the gallium 68 PET scan with your doctor? Any update?