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What does hypermetabolic activity on left hilum mean?

Lung Cancer | Last Active: Feb 22, 2022 | Replies (3)

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@colleenyoung

@van333, welcome. Seeing test results before having a chance to talk to your doctor can be worrisome.
Regarding metabolic activity.
"A PET scan (positron emission tomography) works to identify areas of hypermetabolic activity anywhere in the body. A radioactive substance is given to the patient and this attaches to glucose, which is attracted to cells that are hypermetabolic. When the scan is done, these areas "light up." Often, but not always, cancer cells fall into this category of being hypermetabolic. In addition, not everything that is hypermetabolic is cancer."
The scan cannot differentiate between cancer cells or other situations like infection or inflammation that may be causing this activity.

And "indeterminate etiology and significance" means that they couldn't yet identify a cause or origin.

Usually it takes multiple test to determine a diagnosis. Did your doctor order more tests to investigate? What symptoms led to your needing investigation?

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Replies to "@van333, welcome. Seeing test results before having a chance to talk to your doctor can be..."

Thank you for responding. I have been diagnosed with adencarcinoma stage 1 in the right upper lobe. My surgeon is planning to do a wedge resection. Have not heard back from his office regarding a date. He had not called me to discuss the PET results. I am very nervous. This is not my first time. I had a LLL IN 2009. At that time 11 lymph nodes were biopsies and all were negative. I called my pulmonologist today and he is referring me to a lung oncologist. My anxiety is high at this time. With only one lobe left on that side. The test results have me very worried. Thanks again.