I saw my radiation oncologist and told her my back was bothering me, so she ordered a thoracic spine MRI. I had the MRI today and then I drove straight home which took me 5 minutes. I got home and before I could sit down, the radiation oncologist called and told me that I have lesions on my spine. One was a small hemangioma and 4 other tumors on 4 other vertebrae they are not sure of. The MRI report says that they could be atypical hemangiomas, but metastatic disease can't be ruled out. She immediately called my breast oncologist, and they are sending me to another state to have a pet scan radionuclide. Apparently, no hospital in my large metropolitan area including a teaching hospital has this equipment. Hopefully this isn't metastasis. I am concerned because my first breast cancer in 2020 had perineural invasion into a large nerve.
Have any of you had a Pet Scan radionuclide? If so, could you tell me what to expect?
@katrina123
Hi there - I’m so sorry to hear of your new development. I haven’t had a Pet Scan so I can’t help. I wish you the best. Please keep us updated.
I saw my radiation oncologist and told her my back was bothering me, so she ordered a thoracic spine MRI. I had the MRI today and then I drove straight home which took me 5 minutes. I got home and before I could sit down, the radiation oncologist called and told me that I have lesions on my spine. One was a small hemangioma and 4 other tumors on 4 other vertebrae they are not sure of. The MRI report says that they could be atypical hemangiomas, but metastatic disease can't be ruled out. She immediately called my breast oncologist, and they are sending me to another state to have a pet scan radionuclide. Apparently, no hospital in my large metropolitan area including a teaching hospital has this equipment. Hopefully this isn't metastasis. I am concerned because my first breast cancer in 2020 had perineural invasion into a large nerve.
Have any of you had a Pet Scan radionuclide? If so, could you tell me what to expect?
Yes, I have had his test, although I am skeptical that no one has it. I would believe that the wait time is too long though. I have had my doctor call imaging centers and say this wait is unacceptable can’t you do something sooner, eventually sending me on a journey to get it in a timely fashion.
The test did not FEEL any different than an MRI with contrast. Although it really is so much cooler than that.
They inject a radioactive tracer attached to a sugar molecule (cancer loves sugar) then do the scanning. It isn’t as confining as the tube but takes longer.
It is really amazing to see the scans and how cancer just glows orange, maybe I should not be so excited about my cancer on a screen, but I am fascinated by this.
It is pain free, and less issues with the tracer than the contrast for an MRI.
How are feeling? Are you managing the scan anxiety ok?
Chris,
Thank you for your response. I found out that you were right that other hospitals do have PET scans they just all don't have access to the required tracer for the Fluor estradiol PET Scan.
I am very concerned. I had a thoracic spine MRI that showed many lesions so I can't help but wonder how the rest of my spine looks. My scan anxiety is pretty high. I am trying to stay calm, but it is so difficult.
Chris, how are you doing? What was the result of your test?
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@katrina123
Hi there - I’m so sorry to hear of your new development. I haven’t had a Pet Scan so I can’t help. I wish you the best. Please keep us updated.
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1 ReactionYes, I have had his test, although I am skeptical that no one has it. I would believe that the wait time is too long though. I have had my doctor call imaging centers and say this wait is unacceptable can’t you do something sooner, eventually sending me on a journey to get it in a timely fashion.
The test did not FEEL any different than an MRI with contrast. Although it really is so much cooler than that.
They inject a radioactive tracer attached to a sugar molecule (cancer loves sugar) then do the scanning. It isn’t as confining as the tube but takes longer.
It is really amazing to see the scans and how cancer just glows orange, maybe I should not be so excited about my cancer on a screen, but I am fascinated by this.
It is pain free, and less issues with the tracer than the contrast for an MRI.
How are feeling? Are you managing the scan anxiety ok?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsChris,
Thank you for your response. I found out that you were right that other hospitals do have PET scans they just all don't have access to the required tracer for the Fluor estradiol PET Scan.
I am very concerned. I had a thoracic spine MRI that showed many lesions so I can't help but wonder how the rest of my spine looks. My scan anxiety is pretty high. I am trying to stay calm, but it is so difficult.
Chris, how are you doing? What was the result of your test?
Katrina123
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