...to ask if anyone has had a PET scan and it has not been cancer?

[hoolydooly]

I am wondering if a referral for PET scan is bad news and that it means they think cancer is present and need to stage it?
Or can it just be used for diagnosis, and the results can be good news too?

I had one for epilepsy, but is that not what you mean xx

It depends what they are scanning for. The most common PET scan is FDG. This is radioactive glucose that will go to sites in the body metabolising sugar. Cancers metabolise fast so show up as hot spots. fDG is not the only imaging agent around though. I developed (part of the huge team, not all me!) one that’s used to image amyloid plaques in the brain (associated with Alzheimer’s).

If they are sending you for a scan then they are looking for something- they are not always right (or no need for the scan). Try not to worry and definitely don’t google - they give you worst case every time!

It is a scan for a lung nodule, following a CT.

I am wondering if a PET scan referral is a bad sign???

Often a PET scan is used to finely locate a tumour. It might mean that they suspect a tumour but think it can be removed surgically. My son had two successful PET scans to locate and remove a pathogenic area.

Is this your dad, hooly? I've been thinking of you both this week

Yes, it is.
Thanks for your thoughts!

Yes my mum had a PET scan after a chest X-ray showed a nodule on her lung. We worried like crazy for 3 weeks. She went on Wednesday to see the consultant for the results. Turned out to be a shadow on her lung caused by a rib bone touching it. Nothing on lung, no nodule, no cancer. We were all so relieved. It is so worrying but try not to assume the worst and don’t google

Lung nodules are quite common and not necessarily sinister. I hope you get good news

@vincal
Thank you. That will make it a little easier to sleep tonight. Glad your mum is okay.

Was it definitely a pet scan and not ct? (@vincal)

Yes I believe a PET scan, they put a dye into her lungs. Fingers crossed for you too 🤞🏻

It can be used for diagnosis . My mother had a pain in her left lung area . CT scan and x Ray showed some kind of lesion but they couldn’t identify what it was . She had a PET scan but there was no uptake on this meaning no cancer present . However the surgeon decided to do surgery . It was major surgery involving a long hospital stay and recovery . The lesion turned out to be a small extra lobe that was present since birth and testing showed it to be healthy lung tissue

Thank you both.
I really appreciate people taking time out of their saturday evenings to share stories like this and help put my mind at rest.

You’re welcome, I know just how you’re feeling xx

It can be used for diagnosis as any suspected areas of cancer, which is what they’re hoping to rule out, breakdown the radioactive isotope much quicker than other cells, so it glows. I know someone who had one for a diagnosis and it was clear as day.

Good luck x

My DH was diagnosed with bowel cancer last February, after having a large section of his bowel removed and a gruelling time of chemotherapy we were told he needed a CT scan to check his lung area as when the original cancer was found in the bowel he had some spots on his lungs.

He had his CT scan and some lung nodules were detected, so he had to go for a PET scan. That was 2 weeks ago. The nodules on his lungs was just inflammation, but it has picked up some potential growth on his liver.

Having the PET scan will let you know either way, but I feel for you OP, and hope that it's a good outcome

My dad recently had a PET scan. He has history of esophigal cancer and they've found a growth outside his stomach. I think they were looking for cancer but his results were inconclusive.

My dad had one last year for suspected lung cancer. He had shadows on his lungs which turned out to be very persistent pneumonia plus early stage emphysema. Thinking of you and your dad

Fingers crossed for you,

Thank you everyone

@Misskittyfantastico85 I hope you get good news for your husband.

My mum is due to be having one soon. Follows on from a month long stay in hospital with pneumonia last autumn and a short readmission this month as it's not clearing totally. She has had several CT scans during the last 4 months. I know they are looking for cancer with this one as CTs have shown shadows and embolisms(?).

Sorry you are going through the stress of this too, @TrashPanda.
Hope you get some good news.

Same to you @hoolydooly

I've had three, two after having pneumonia and the corona virus combined with pneumonia. One for a different non cancer suspected situation. I'm immune compromised.

I have calcification in one of my lungs and it looks more shadowy at times. They are both worrying and reassuring.

Hi I just wanted to try and help you. I've been where you are. My dad had pet for lung after CT showed something. In his case it was cancer BUT because of pet nowadays they find it so early, he had half a lung removed but no chemo etc and 4 years on he is absolutely fine. He also had pet after they spotted something on brain, that had us devastated but it turned out to be nothing... So whatever the result honestly treatment at early stage ifI he needs is amazing nowadays. V v good luck xx