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Confusion with PET scan
Hi, my grandma just had her PET scan done and i'm having difficulty understanding the results, can someone help explain this in simpler terms? My grandma only speaks Spanish and i'm trying my best to understand it for her.
1. They found a hypermetabolic 2.2 cm spiculated left upper lobe nodule compatible with malignancy. Does this mean it is likely cancer?
2. New 1.3 cm nonhypermetabolic nodular opacity in the right middle lobe favors to represent
subsegmental atelectasis.
3. Hypermetabolic activity of the vocal cords suggests vocal cord palsy. She was swallowing at this time aswell, does this make a difference?
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Hi @333www, understanding imaging results can be confusing at the best of times. Your grandmother must be grateful to be able to rely on you for translation. It can be a tough responsibility to bear with all the medical terms.
Did you know that most hospitals offer free interpretation services. Experienced medical interpreters can attend appointments, translate patient education materials and offer other assistance, as needed. They are very good with translated medical terms and understanding cultural nuances.
Here's more information about Interpreter Services at Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/resources/interpreter-services
While you can look up the terms from a PET scan result to help you understand, a consultation with your grandmother's doctor will reveal what these terms mean for her particularly. Her doctor has all the information required to make the diagnosis, which includes results from pathology, other tests like biopsy, blood test, medical history, etc.
Here's some information about hypermetabolic activity showing on a PET scan.
"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."
A PET scan is only one step in the diagnostic process. When do you have an appointment with your grandmother's doctor to discuss the results of the PET scan and to talk about the step or test?