Neuroendocrine local SCLC: What does it all mean?

Posted by igorc45 @igorc45, Sep 12, 2022

PET/CT showed intermediate grade heterogeneous hypermetabolic nodular mass in the inferior medial right supraclavicular fossa and or right superior mediastinum measuring 2.8 x 1.1 cm, SUV max 8, intermediate grade hypermetabolic lateral right superior mediastinal mass SUV max 7 measuring 2.3 x 2.2 cm, left lower paratracheal hypermetabolic nodular focus SUV 13.1 measuring 2.5 x 2.4 cm

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@igorc45 it sounds like you received your PET scan results before getting an appointment with your doctor to review it together. This can cause a lot of anxiety. Members here on this forum can help with the anxious feeling. Many of them like @ta52 @aksinspringfield @vic83 @marcia115 and others have been exactly where you are now and how scary this is.

Deep breath and one step at a time. A PET scan is only one step in the diagnostic process.

First - not everything that is hypermetabolic is cancer.
"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." https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/about/pac-20385078

When do you have an appointment with your doctor to discuss the results of the PET scan and to talk about the next step? Why was the PET scan ordered?

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@igorc45 it sounds like you received your PET scan results before getting an appointment with your doctor to review it together. This can cause a lot of anxiety. Members here on this forum can help with the anxious feeling. Many of them like @ta52 @aksinspringfield @vic83 @marcia115 and others have been exactly where you are now and how scary this is.

Deep breath and one step at a time. A PET scan is only one step in the diagnostic process.

First - not everything that is hypermetabolic is cancer.
"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." https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/about/pac-20385078

When do you have an appointment with your doctor to discuss the results of the PET scan and to talk about the next step? Why was the PET scan ordered?

Jump to this post

Thank you Colleen,
I spoke already with oncologist, I high grade neuroendocrine local SCLC, but as how he explained those mass i previously mention not active and I just would like to get more info

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@igorc45

Thank you Colleen,
I spoke already with oncologist, I high grade neuroendocrine local SCLC, but as how he explained those mass i previously mention not active and I just would like to get more info

Jump to this post

The best thing to do is ask a lot of questions and do your own research using the internet as a source for good. Look up terms on reputable websites like Mayo, Memorial Sloan Kettering, MD Anderson, etc. Some of them, like Mayo, explain things in clear terms. The days between diagnosis and treatment plan are the toughest but doing that research not only serves as a distraction it helps make you an informed patient and gives you the basis for asking informed questions of your medical team.
We've all been there and we're here to help you through it!

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@igorc45 it sounds like you received your PET scan results before getting an appointment with your doctor to review it together. This can cause a lot of anxiety. Members here on this forum can help with the anxious feeling. Many of them like @ta52 @aksinspringfield @vic83 @marcia115 and others have been exactly where you are now and how scary this is.

Deep breath and one step at a time. A PET scan is only one step in the diagnostic process.

First - not everything that is hypermetabolic is cancer.
"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." https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/about/pac-20385078

When do you have an appointment with your doctor to discuss the results of the PET scan and to talk about the next step? Why was the PET scan ordered?

Jump to this post

I had the pet scan because I had lung cancer and had to be checked every 6 months with
a CT scan, well this time it showed something on the CT, and my pulmonary doctor wanted
a pet scan, so now I have to have a Biopsy

\on what they see. I just feel that it scares you when
you start reading the pet scan and don't understand the words. I call the department and
a nurse helped me with the words. The biopsy is on my same lung.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

@igorc45 it sounds like you received your PET scan results before getting an appointment with your doctor to review it together. This can cause a lot of anxiety. Members here on this forum can help with the anxious feeling. Many of them like @ta52 @aksinspringfield @vic83 @marcia115 and others have been exactly where you are now and how scary this is.

Deep breath and one step at a time. A PET scan is only one step in the diagnostic process.

First - not everything that is hypermetabolic is cancer.
"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." https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/about/pac-20385078

When do you have an appointment with your doctor to discuss the results of the PET scan and to talk about the next step? Why was the PET scan ordered?

Jump to this post

I fell last October and there was act ct scan done and found many nodules. Fast forward to today had three pet scarce since last oct. to watch the growth of the nodules. One was large enough to biopsy. Seeing the oncologist tomorrow. Really worried that she may not be as throughly clear as to what is the next step. Languages of results are Not clear except one said positive got that.

REPLY
@millard

I fell last October and there was act ct scan done and found many nodules. Fast forward to today had three pet scarce since last oct. to watch the growth of the nodules. One was large enough to biopsy. Seeing the oncologist tomorrow. Really worried that she may not be as throughly clear as to what is the next step. Languages of results are Not clear except one said positive got that.

Jump to this post

good luck, and please let me know how it turns out. When is the biopsy?

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