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What Does My PET Scan Report Indicate?
Question: "Latest PET scan findings (10/15/15):
"Head and Neck: There has been interval resolution of previously identified FDG avid primary in the left piriform sinus. However a new 1.2 x 0.8 cm left upper cervical node adjacent to the sternocleidomastoid muscle is seen on image 78 of the CT scan shows FDG avidity with a maximum SUV of 5.4 in keeping with metastatic adenopathy." This was taken 3 weeks after my third chemotherapy treatment. What does "interval resolution" etc., mean and is the new node cancerous?
"Head and Neck: There has been interval resolution of previously identified FDG avid primary in the left piriform sinus. However a new 1.2 x 0.8 cm left upper cervical node adjacent to the sternocleidomastoid muscle is seen on image 78 of the CT scan shows FDG avidity with a maximum SUV of 5.4 in keeping with metastatic adenopathy." This was taken 3 weeks after my third chemotherapy treatment. What does "interval resolution" etc., mean and is the new node cancerous?
Brief Answer:
New node is cancerous, prior lesion has responded.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern and confusion faced with that report.
The first part speaking of an interval resolution is positive, it means that an area which on a prior exam showed increased metabolic activity (which in turn indicates multiplicating cancerous cells) now has reversed, does not show such activity, meaning that that focus has well responded to therapy.
The second part as you yourself suspect I guess, is not good, I am sorry. There is increased metabolic activity in another lymph node. The values indicate it is cancerous, a new metastasis, cancerous cells originating from the primary tumor.
I hope to have been of help
New node is cancerous, prior lesion has responded.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern and confusion faced with that report.
The first part speaking of an interval resolution is positive, it means that an area which on a prior exam showed increased metabolic activity (which in turn indicates multiplicating cancerous cells) now has reversed, does not show such activity, meaning that that focus has well responded to therapy.
The second part as you yourself suspect I guess, is not good, I am sorry. There is increased metabolic activity in another lymph node. The values indicate it is cancerous, a new metastasis, cancerous cells originating from the primary tumor.
I hope to have been of help
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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