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Can A PET Scan Detect Cancerous Node After Breast Cancer Surgery?
Question: I recently underwent breast surgery At M.D. XXXXXXX clinic in mesa, Az.
They removed my entire breast & 23 Lymph nodes. 1 node was cancerous out of the
23 removed. There was an extranodal ext. present in the 1 lymph none. The Person
in charge of the chemo recommended Chemo, radiation, & chemo pills for 5 years
as a treatment. I was curious if I could get a pet scan to see if there was any cancer that
had escaped from the extranodal node? I really don't want to put my body thru that procedure unless it is
absolutely necessary I am a 72 year old male Patient. Please Advise.
They removed my entire breast & 23 Lymph nodes. 1 node was cancerous out of the
23 removed. There was an extranodal ext. present in the 1 lymph none. The Person
in charge of the chemo recommended Chemo, radiation, & chemo pills for 5 years
as a treatment. I was curious if I could get a pet scan to see if there was any cancer that
had escaped from the extranodal node? I really don't want to put my body thru that procedure unless it is
absolutely necessary I am a 72 year old male Patient. Please Advise.
Brief Answer:
May not be useful
Detailed Answer:
PET scan is a functional isotope scan. Every investigation including PET is NOT fool proof. They could underestimate or overestimate disease. A certain tumor burden is required before it is picked up by PET. If the tumor burden is less, then it may not show on PET giving a false negative report. On the other hand, infection, inflammations including recent surgery could result in increased uptake resulting in false positive pick ups.
DO NOT assume that PET scan report is absolutely trustworthy and therapy can be based on that. Of course, it is a useful tool for evaluation of spread; but again NOT foolproof.
The idea of systemic therapy with chemo and pills is to address the microscopic spread (which may or may not be picked up by PET)
The fact that there is NODAL and EXTRA NODAL spread indicates that there is potential for systemic spread and hence you have been advised chemo and pills. That idea would not alter with a PET scan report. However, for personal satisfaction you could get a PETscan done and read the report with a pinch of salt.
May not be useful
Detailed Answer:
PET scan is a functional isotope scan. Every investigation including PET is NOT fool proof. They could underestimate or overestimate disease. A certain tumor burden is required before it is picked up by PET. If the tumor burden is less, then it may not show on PET giving a false negative report. On the other hand, infection, inflammations including recent surgery could result in increased uptake resulting in false positive pick ups.
DO NOT assume that PET scan report is absolutely trustworthy and therapy can be based on that. Of course, it is a useful tool for evaluation of spread; but again NOT foolproof.
The idea of systemic therapy with chemo and pills is to address the microscopic spread (which may or may not be picked up by PET)
The fact that there is NODAL and EXTRA NODAL spread indicates that there is potential for systemic spread and hence you have been advised chemo and pills. That idea would not alter with a PET scan report. However, for personal satisfaction you could get a PETscan done and read the report with a pinch of salt.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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