Tracy... Yes you did get good response...meaning
quick and I get him a hand for that...
I think I would go on for a third opinion... My
oncologist is in Cincinnati and he wanted to give me chemo, but I turned it
down. He was my third opinion and I decided that I was the most
comfortable with him, even though we differed on the chemo.
As far as the CT scans and the PET scans..Here is the
information that I have:
Indications for Positron Emission Tomography in
Oncology
General indications for positron emission
tomography in oncologis patients includes detections of regional or systemic
metastases initially (staging) and at appropriate follow-up intervals, and
determining cancer response to therapy. Such indications directly
influence optimal patient management. Specific indications for the major tumor
types are listed here:
1) Squamous cell or Adenocarcinoma of the
lung
Assesment of Solitary pulmonary
nodules (routinely found on chest x-rays). Peripheral mass lesion or lesions
without central or hilar masses.
Clearance for surgery definitive
chemotherapy when adrenal metastases suspect from anatomical imaging or
bone scintigraphy.
Assessment or detect hilar or
mediastional adenopathy in biopsy proven lung cancer.
Oncology
Lung Cancer Staging
- CT is 58% accurate
- PET is 93% accurate
- PET whole body exam is
possible,eliminating need for CT of abdomen and bone
scans
4 studies/5 years 160
patients: 41% changed
management
I would first ask if there is a PET center in your
town. There are not an abundancy of them as of right now, but the number
is growing. Second I would like to tell you that we often can only discuss
what we are exposed to and work with... If he doesn't have the experience of
using the PET, then he probably is negative. I have found that those who
use it like my surgeon.. truly believe in it and its abilities...
Good luck Tracy... Still glad to see you in control!! :-) With
love, Carla
