Making sense of PET scan report

Posted by jcalkins @jcalkins, Oct 3, 2023

I'm hoping to get some help understanding the report from my PET scan I had last week. Unfortunately, I don'ts see my pulmonologist until a week from today and I would rather not spend the next 7 days with my mind wandering through every answer Dr. Google provides. I am a firm believer that worry only robs me of my joy today. But in this moment I'm struggling a little.

About 15 years ago we found a tumor on the right lobe of my lung. They had a hard time getting a biopsy because of where it was located. The ended up attempting a needle biopsy, but told me they couldn't actually get a biopsy because it kept "escaping" - They decided it was probably a hamartoma tumor because of the inability to puncture it. I was told to quit smoking (25+ year smoker) and we would keep an eye on it. I did quit that day.

Over the years the tumor would be seen on x-rays when I would have pneumonia or bronchitis. But I did not have any medical provider following it consistently.

Flash forward to 3 months ago, I had a nagging cough and a bit of trouble with breathing. Doctor tells me I have bronchitis and "by the way you have a spot on your lung that looks suspicious". CT scan ordered and a referral to the pulmonologist. Pulmonologist said the tumor looks concerning and that it had grown a bit since it was originally found. He says he does not think its a hamartoma and if I hadn't been a former smoker for 25+ years, he would probably wait and see a bit longer, but he wants me to get another CT in 3 months. About a week later, a friend reminds of the time I had my appendix removed and there was a small carcinoid tumor on the tip. I recall learning that carcinoid tumors are also frequently found in the lung. I provided that information to the pulmonologist and he sent me for a PET scan right away.

That was Friday. Today I got the report. This is what was at the conclusion of the report.

IMPRESSION:
1.7x 2.0 cm nodule which demonstrates moderate hypermetabolism with a peak SUV 2.6.
Moderate hypermetabolism is noted in the subcentimeter jugulodiagastric lymph nodes. Peak SUV measures 3.1 on the right and 3.2 on the left. No FDG avid lymphadenopathy is noted in the chest, abdomen or pelvis.

There are other details about Peak SUV measures for mediastinal blood pool (3.9) and Liver SUV (4.3). I have no idea what any of that means.

I would appreciate any insight anyone here might have. I understand that no one here can tell me a diagnosis, but I am hoping to learn more about what these details mean.

Thank you,
Jullie

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

@lynn1961

Yes, I have stage one lung cancer and I start SBRT on Nov 1st.

Jump to this post

Lynn (@lynn1961), I'm sorry to hear that, but glad they found it early. I know that likely doesn't make it any less heavy, as how it can change your life. I hope you do well on the SBRT.
Here is some information from Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794
And here are some links to past discussions which may be helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sbrt/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/926427/

REPLY
@lls8000

Lynn (@lynn1961), I'm sorry to hear that, but glad they found it early. I know that likely doesn't make it any less heavy, as how it can change your life. I hope you do well on the SBRT.
Here is some information from Mayo: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794
And here are some links to past discussions which may be helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sbrt/
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/926427/

Jump to this post

Thank you for the information. It helps to read others take on it and the information that Mayo has on it.

REPLY
@lynn1961

Yes, I have stage one lung cancer and I start SBRT on Nov 1st.

Jump to this post

Hi Lynn. I also have stage1 lung cancer - Mucinous Adenocarcinoma is my type.

Did you have surgery to remove your tumor?

REPLY

No, I’m just doing the SBRT. I was lead to believe the outcome is as good as surgery without the long healing process. Hopefully that is true. So far, what I’ve read it seems to have good results.

REPLY
@lynn1961

No, I’m just doing the SBRT. I was lead to believe the outcome is as good as surgery without the long healing process. Hopefully that is true. So far, what I’ve read it seems to have good results.

Jump to this post

Well that’s great. Good luck!!

REPLY
@lynn1961

No, I’m just doing the SBRT. I was lead to believe the outcome is as good as surgery without the long healing process. Hopefully that is true. So far, what I’ve read it seems to have good results.

Jump to this post

Hi @lynn1961 , thinking of your today. I hope your first SBRT session went as well as it could have, with minimal side effects.

REPLY

Thank you, that is very kind of you. I had my first SBRT radiation today with no side effects. Hopefully, the next four will have the same outcome.
😊

REPLY
@lynn1961

Thank you, that is very kind of you. I had my first SBRT radiation today with no side effects. Hopefully, the next four will have the same outcome.
😊

Jump to this post

That’s great news!!! Sending good JuJu your way!!

REPLY

Had wedge resection of lingula (lower part of upper left lung) and mediastinal lymph nodes because a less than 1 cm nodule "lit up" on a PET. I am 69 years old female with 40 plus pack years of smoking. I quit in 2011. This nodule didn't seem like much (had been watching it for years) but doc got interested when more began to emerge. This all started after I had covid back in 2020 then again and again last year. I also aspirated a couple times while taking a drink during a funny movie. I felt positive that this nodule was benign. I work for BIODESIX, a lab that has the lab test, NODIFY LUNG. My doc wouldn't place the order for me so the company did it. The test came back approximately 12% non malignant. The doc wasn't interested in it at all and was very adamant that I have the wedge resection as the nodule was so small and near the heart. He scared me so I agreed and all they found was small benign Harmatomas. This surgery was very painful and I remember crying out that I couldn't breath which was horrible and the lymph node resection around my heart was exceptionally painful. I'm home now, glad it was benign, but wish the doc had paid more attention to the NODIFY LUNG test results because my recovery may take a while. Wanted to ask you, have you been tested for Alpha One Antitrypsin Deficiency disease?

REPLY
@pb50

Well you know I had VATS for left
Lower lobectomy. 3 smaller incisions. Not a walk in the park and I still feel like I have a vise grip on my rib cage when I try to breathe deeply. But all in all not terrible. And I’m 73.

Jump to this post

Lower Left wedge resection and lymph node removal was awful. I'm 69. Mine was benign.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.