Possible Lung cancer or not

Posted by lomshivech @lomshivech, 1 day ago

NM PET/CT SKULL BASE TO MID THIGH
HISTORY: lung neoplasms seen on CT , pulmonary nodules
COMPARISON: CT chest 4/22/2025
TECHNIQUE: The preprocedure blood glucose level was 99 mg/dL. The patient was injected with 10.2 mCi F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose then rested comfortably for 50 minutes prior to imaging. PET and CT scanning were performed from the skull base through the mid
thighs. CT scanning was performed for attenuation correction and subsequent overlay of the PET and CT images at a computer workstation to create images for anatomic correlation. Coronal, sagittal, and transaxial PET, CT anatomic localization images and
the combined superimposed PET/CT images were reviewed along with the rotating 3D MIP image. This is not a PET registry case.

FINDINGS:
Head and Neck: No hypermetabolic lesions.

Chest: Multiple, bilateral nodules with increased metabolic activity. Maximal SUV values range between 3.5 - 3.7.

Abdomen and Pelvis: No hypermetabolic lesions.

IMPRESSION:
Multiple, hypermetabolic pulmonary nodules, nonspecific. Neoplasm and infection in the differential
I

Hello everyone ... I a new to this website. so a brief history first. I have very severe COPD, I am 70 years old and have a long history of smoking and inhaling work related carcinogens' . I'm a furniture maker of 40 plus years, stripping products , lacquer and furniture finishes. I've had 9 acute heart attacks , a quadruple CABBAGE , atherosclerosis, Renaud's syndrome. The amount of dust from plywoods, MDF and wood dust is incalculable. The above Pet scan was done recently but my Dr has not gotten back to me to explain any of the findings.. It's been 2 weeks ! Could someone please give me a "your in trouble " or a "don't worry , you" be fine" .?

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

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 1 day ago

Welcome @lomshivech, Your body has been through a lot. I'm glad you made it through the heart attacks and procedures. Wow! None of us here are medical doctors. I'll give you my non-medical opinion. Reading your report, nothing stands out one way or another. Which usually means more tests may be in order. The SUV (standardized uptake value) may be concerning but could be related to infection or inflammation too. Take comfort that it's not an overly high number. I believe my first PET showed SUV's over 10.
IF this is cancer, know that lung cancer is more treatable today than ever. The field has made huge advances in recent years, and even stage IV patients are living longer and longer. I'm at 5 years. But also know that most nodules are not cancerous too!
Are any of the nodules 1 cm or greater? Do you have an appointment set up with your doctor? The anxiety of not knowing the next step is certainly worth a call to their office. Not knowing can be the most difficult part.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | 1 day ago

@lomshivech, like @lls8000 said, members here are not qualified to interpret the PET scan. Your doctor is best equipped to interpret it along with the other pieces of information about your medical history and any other tests you may have had done.

Usually no news is good news, but I never rely on that approach. I would call your doctor's office to make an appointment to discuss the findings.

What was the reason or suspicion that the PET scan was ordered? What is being investigated?

lomshivech | @lomshivech | 1 day ago

In reply to @lls8000 "Welcome @lomshivech, Your body has been through a lot. I'm glad you made it through the..." + (show)

Thank you for your kind response. I have left two messages with him. The first was requesting an antibiotic for my pneumonia, which i received, but no comment on the PET scan. The second was a hint of alarm on the results I recieved. Still waiting to hear back. On monday I will send another note and hope for a better response.
Thank you again for your time.. I'll be posting here again when i hear from him,,

lomshivech | @lomshivech | 15 hours ago

In reply to @colleenyoung "@lomshivech, like @lls8000 said, members here are not qualified to interpret the PET scan. Your doctor..." + (show)

Hi Colleen, Thank you for commenting, any time i can gather info is a blessing...The reason the PET was ordered is that there were several new nodules' that were not on a previous CT scan that was done 2 years ago. The thing that scared me the most was the terminology used. I'm awaiting a response on a message sent on saturday .I'll do a follow up when it arrives. Your no news is good news comment made me smile..

Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | 8 hours ago

In reply to @lomshivech "Thank you for your kind response. I have left two messages with him. The first was..." + (show)

@lomshivech. You mention having pneumonia. The PET scan can certainly show activity from inflammation or infection from pneumonia too. Take a deep breath (as long as it doesn't hurt 😉 ) and let us know when you hear back from your doc.

Please sign in or register to post a reply.