Good afternoon Kim.
I wanted to clarify what Sharon said about PET scans based on my experience. I have had around a dozen CT/PET combinations. Our understanding is that PET scans are very effective with RCC. In fact, my doctor prefers them. I do believe that PET scans are still fairly new and most doctors do not know how to read them. The way my doctor explained it to us is that a CT scan is very good at showing the existance and size of a tumor which in most cases is good enough. However, a PET scan shows the metabolic activity of a tumor (meaning whether it is dead or alive). This was important in a case like mine where after being on Sutent for two treatment cycles, my tumors had shrunk tremendously but more importantly they were dead. Eventually, they disappeared all together. As far as body scan vs. partial--all of my scans have been in the upper body since my RCC had been in my kidney and liver areas. That is the part where they are most concerned. It seems logical that they could do a full body scan (either CT or PET) if my doctor wanted that done.
By the way, at least for me the same machine does the CT and PET scan but they use two different types of contrast. Make sure that you ask for the one that is easier on the kidneys since I expect that your husband has had one removed as I did.
Please tell your husband good luck with his treatments and please don't hesitate to ask addtional questions.
Bunker