Accuracy of follow up PET scans?

My husband was diagnosed in August with Oral Cancer, had surg and modified neck disection in September. Both the surgeon and oncologist stated that margens and nodes were clear and he didnt need any follow up radiation or chemo.(we have always wondered if they were wrong, him being young and healthy otherwise) He has had some unexplained ailments of late. Bone pain in hip, other sores in mouth that took months to heal. Pain in calves, urinary incont. and so on. He had a Follow up PET scan done last week and it was inconclusive. And recomended further follow upThere were are coulpe of areas that lite up one in the tonsiler area that showed SUV8. and some other in the mid pharanyx and hypopharnyx. My husband and been convience for several months that the cancer is back and he is going to die this year. I dont know what else to say to him or do for him. Can someone explain to me what the Pet scan is saying.

 

On 3/15/2009 kimbo1 wrote:

My husband was diagnosed in August with Oral Cancer, had surg and modified neck disection in September. Both the surgeon and oncologist stated that margens and nodes were clear and he didnt need any follow up radiation or chemo.(we have always wondered if they were wrong, him being young and healthy otherwise) He has had some unexplained ailments of late. Bone pain in hip, other sores in mouth that took months to heal. Pain in calves, urinary incont. and so on. He had a Follow up PET scan done last week and it was inconclusive. And recomended further follow upThere were are coulpe of areas that lite up one in the tonsiler area that showed SUV8. and some other in the mid pharanyx and hypopharnyx. My husband and been convience for several months that the cancer is back and he is going to die this year. I dont know what else to say to him or do for him. Can someone explain to me what the Pet scan is saying.

Hi Kimbo1 my heart goes out to you and your family. Please continue to encourage your husband to communicate his symptoms and feelings to DRs and request additional follow up to explain and answer your questions. The PET scan is like a combination of an MRI and a CAT scan allowing the body to be seen in layers and could show suspicous areas that need follow up attention. The info can be a useful tool in combination with exams and symptoms. Sometimes its helpful to get new DRs involved as well. Cancer survivorship changes can be overwhelming for patients and families.There  may be a need for meds or treatment for other post cancer issues sometimes including depression.I am a survivor of squamous cell in tongue and lymph nodes and also had a neck dissection. I elected to have radiation therapy as recommended by a Radiation Oncologist . Each patient is different . I had a team of Docs and none of them minded ,some even recomended second opinions. There are specialists for many health issues that could be helpful to your husbands specific problems. Many may be helpd with medication or therapy so thingscan get better. It takes time and patience. Ill keep you in prayer.

My Father (67 yrs) was diagnosed with tonsil cancer as well as a mass in his neck. He had surgery on December 17. The surgeon was unable to get the tumor in his neck since it was intertwinned in the muscle and nerves. Therefore he took out the cancerous tonsil and all the nodes in the neck. The only cancerous node was the one that remained. He followed up with radiation and chemo. He is now three weeks out of all treatments. He is mending but slowly. The mucosus is terrible but people tell me it will get better towards the 4-6 weeks out of treatment. He also needs to gain about 10 lbs. I guess with a tonsilectomy plus treatments he lost his appetite. He never went to feeding tube and forces himself to eat a somewhat diet with protein shakes. How come you have to wait so long for a PET scan? 3 months? I can't believe he has to wait to see if everything is alright.

Hi - my hubby is 7 weeks out of radiation and chemo for tongue, tonsil and lymph nodes.   The mucous is a little better - but not much.  We have and are trying everything anyone tells us.  He is feeling pretty good but the mucous has him fairly debilitated.  He does not want to leave the house because he has to have a spit cup.  Good luck and God Bless everyone on this site.

Cheryl      Oklahoma City