I'm confused. Are pet scans usually accurate?

Posted by caralion @caralion, Apr 18 3:16pm

My pet scan lit up like a Christmas tree. One large mass has an SUV of 14.99. my 1st biopsy was inconclusive. It showed "rare atypical cells suspicious for malignancy." Just had a second bronchoscopy. What are my chances that it isn't cancer?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 24 8:56pm

In reply to @caralion "Got them today. Stage 2 squamous cell lung cancer." + (show)

@caralion, thinking of you as you digest the news that you have cancer and go through a whirlwind of appointments to confirm the diagnosis. We're here when you want to talk, ask questions, or just lean on a virtual shoulder.

caralion | @caralion | Apr 25 4:20pm

In the lab reports, along with malignant squamous cells, they mentioned rare neoplastic bleu cells were found. The Dr never mentioned that. Anyone have any ideas?

mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 25 6:32pm

In reply to @caralion "In the lab reports, along with malignant squamous cells, they mentioned rare neoplastic bleu cells were..." + (show)

@caralion I'm not a doctor, but I believe that might indicate a second type of cancer cell that turns blue when the pathologist stains it to analyze it. there seem to be a few types of these cancers that can occur in the lung. one of them is extranodal b cell lymphoma, which might explain the tumor in your parotid gland. whatever the case may be, it seems complicated and important for you to have the best possible assessment and care. how soon will you speak with your doctor?

divemaster | @divemaster | Apr 26 7:06am

My pet scan never lit up thereafter I had a lung biopsy which showed lung cancer stage 1 A

caralion | @caralion | Apr 26 7:56am

In reply to @mamajite "@caralion I'm not a doctor, but I believe that might indicate a second type of cancer..." + (show)

@mamajite may 11th with the oncologist.

mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 26 1:17pm

In reply to @caralion "@mamajite may 11th with the oncologist." + (show)

@caralion if it was me, I would try to be seen sooner and make an appointment now for a second opinion at an academic/NIH cancer center. do you have one of those close to you?
https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find