Wisdom Please about PET scans

allycat · New User Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1

My father just had his left lower lobe removed. They couldn't biopsy the "blob" prior to removing the lobe because they were concerned of hemoraging (it was on a vein?). He was told just prior to the surgery that the good news was that the PET scan showed it was localized and nowhere else in his body. Sounds like great news but we still don't know if it was cancer. Of course we will know in a few days but I am wondering do PET scans show up positive for any things other than cancers?

Also, If it is cancer and they have said they got it all, would he still require chemo?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
thx

AKelley · New User Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 1

PET Scans are a 3D imaging that can see through the body in layers. For instance if your father is lying on the PET Scan table the machine looks through him from the top of his head. Typically they localize the scan to the area of concern. In your fathers case his trunk area. The scan can see anything foreign in the body. You may have noticed if you went with him that an IV was started which allows a dye too move through the body and highlight any abnormal cells. So yes, other things than cancer can show up.
My husband is 33yrs old and was diagnosed with a 16cm Synovial Sarcoma (Cancer Tumor) in his upper right lobe (lung) Sept. 30th 2005. He has received many PET Scans at Mayo Clinic. So, we are very familiar with the process.
It is wonderful that your fathers tumor is able to be removed. That will keep the tumor from growing and possibly causing pain and other difficulties. We have been told that anytime a tumor is surgically removed there is always either radiation to the area or chemo to be sure they got everything. Keep a positive attitude. This will be one of the most difficult journeys you and your father will take.
In our situation, unfortunately, my husbands tumor is inopporable. He has had 2 different chemo treatments and just finished radiation. We just met with his oncologist today to get the results of his most recent CT. The tumor is not shrinking. We are looking into alternative treatment clinics.
God is on our side, so we will continue to exhaust all options.
One sugestion that I would make to your father is to research supplements that will assist his immune system in fighting the cancer (if that's what it is). There are many natural supplements like O2 enhancers, Cellular Zeolite, COQ10, Shark Cartlage, Heilan 951, Mangosteen Juice. You will find that almost everything you will hear about beating cancers is that the patient needs to detoxify their body of free radicals and then boost the immune system. You can google any of these supplements and find more info.
Have you heard anything about Oasis of Hope in Mexico? We are checking into that.
May God Bless you and give you peace and direction.
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Synovial Sarcoma

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