Issue on Recent CT Scan

[Reciprocity]

I think I mentioned some time ago that I had my annual CT Scan coming up in late June. I've had these annually for about 5 or 6 years now and there's not been anything of particular concern with the results but this time there was 

I got the results a few days ago on the 6th of July. It reveald a new nodule in my upper left lung; 1.2 cm in size. It wasn't there last scan so it developed sometime in the past year. I have had a couple of small nodules, only 3 or 4 mm in my lungs since my first scan but they have said these are nothing to be concerned about as there's been no growth over the years and many people have small nodules; even non-smokers.

 

This new one suddenly appearing and being over 1cm had the Doc going into preventative action mode rather than just watching it for the next year or so. He doesn't want to do a biopsy cuz he said there's a 25% chance they could puncture my left lung doing that so he's recommending a PET Scan instead.

 

I agreed that this sounded like the best way to proceed at this point. I got a call today letting me know they had secured a spot for me at the only hospital in the general area where I live to have the PET Scan done this Sat., July 11th. I asked him how he got such a quick date for the scan and his answer was; "when I tell them it's required for a possible cancer diagnosis, they move pretty quickly!" Him saying that, mentioning the C word brought the gravity of the situation down on me pretty suddenly but, I suppose I really knew that's what we were possibly dealing with anyway, based on the CT Scan results.

 

So, that's my Saturday then ... a few hours drive back & forth to this hospital and the PET Scan, which is about 1.5 hours in length; most of that time resting after they inject the radioactive tracer stuff into you through an IV.

For anyone unfamiliar with a PET Scan (as I was); I've copied an AI summary below that explains it better than I can.

Will update y'all as things happen. I should have the results of the PET Scan next week sometime 

 

Pet Scan:

 

A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a small, safe amount of a radioactive substance (radiotracer) to visualize how your tissues and organs are functioning on a cellular level. It is primarily used to detect or monitor cancer, heart disease, and brain disorders. 

What a PET Scan Does

While standard imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs mainly show the structure of your body, a PET scan reveals how your body's cells and tissues are working.

How it works: You receive an injection of a radiotracer, which often behaves like a natural substance in your body, such as a form of radioactive sugar (FDG). Because diseased cells (like rapidly dividing cancer cells) tend to consume energy and sugar much faster than healthy cells, they absorb large amounts of the tracer. The scanner detects this radiation and maps out these "hot spots". 

Combined scans: PET scans are frequently combined with CT (Computed Tomography) scans. A PET/CT Scan overlays the functional activity of the PET scan with the high-resolution anatomical mapping of a CT scan, providing doctors with an exact location of diseased areas. 

Why It Is Done:

Doctors rely on PET scans for several vital medical purposes: 

Cancer detection: Finding early-stage cancers, determining if a tumor has spread, and staging the disease.

Evaluating treatments: Checking whether chemotherapy or radiation is successfully shrinking a tumor.

Cardiology: Assessing blood flow in the heart, detecting damaged or scarred heart tissue, and evaluating if a heart attack has caused permanent damage.

Neurology: Identifying brain abnormalities such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and brain tumors. 

 

[GonSo]

That is nerve wracking until the results are in. 

Edited yesterday at 12:54 PM by GonSo

[SD2026]

I'm so sorry your CT scan has shown some concerns @Reciprocity What a worrying time for you.

It's good you won't have to wait too long for the results of the PET Scan. 

 

Thank you for adding the PET Scan info, I wasn't aware of how it's done.

Please do let us know how it goes when you can and take care. I know the waiting for the results will be stressful.

 

Sending all the positive vibes and thoughts your way! . 

 

[Nancy]

Very thankful you had the annual scan!  Praying for the best possible results.  Please keep us posted, and also praying for minimal anxiety as you wait.  We're with you!

[QuittingGirl]

I am really sorry to hear this.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you that everything will be ok!! I know the waiting for the results will be really difficult, try to keep a positive attitude!!  We are all rooting for you!!!

[Stewbum]

Sorry to hear this Reci. Nice that they are being proactive with the test. Hopefully it is benign and will clear as the others did. I also have had nodules that just cleared over time but any news like this to a former smoker brings some fearful emotions.

As QG said keep positive thoughts.

I am sure everyone here is thinking of you and hoping the test comes back with good news.

[Doreensfree]

Reci 

I am so sorry you have received this worrying news 

I pray for good results 

Stay positive Buddy

[johnny5]

I'm sorry to hear this.  Wishing for the best, Reci.

[catlover]

Sorry to hear of your news, understandably it’s a nerve racking time waiting for the test and  result.

i am thinking of you, and hope all go,s well tomorrow, and results are favourable.

take care.

[Cbdave]

Gday

worst thing about a PT scan is that warn sensation in your pants after they give you the contrast.  Did I pee myself? You didn’t? Oooo maybe you did. 
Even though they warn you it’s an experience not to be missed.

All the best on Monday….. 

[Minnie Mouse]

Thoughts and prayers for good news.  The PET scan is the way to go.   Always very thankful for the annual LDCT scan to detect anything early for the best possible outcome.  

 

 

 

 

 

[DenaliBlues]

Hoping that all is going well for you today, Reci. I’m sorry you have to go through this, but am glad that you didn’t have to hang on pins and needles waiting a long time for the test. Sending good energy your way!

[Doreensfree]

Hope your scan went well Reci

Not peeing  yourself like Dave would have been a win-win 

Hugs

[QuittingGirl]

I hope it all went well for you Reci.  When will you get the results?

[Reciprocity]

The most stressful thing about the PET Scan today was finding the parking garage and the proper entrace door at the hospital that was one I'd never been to. The scan itself was no big deal other than the fact it took about an hour & a half. For those who have never had a Pet Scan, the scan itself is pretty much the same as a standard CT Scan with tracer, doesn't take more than 10-15 mins or so. It's the prep work for the PET Scan that takes a full hour or so before you go into the scanner.

When I first got there they took me to a small cubicle and sat me down in a cushy recliner; like one you might have in your living room. It has a side table on either side and you lay your arm out on that table for them to insert an IV into your arm. The IV drips a small bag of FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose), which is a safe, mildly radioactive form of glucose (sugar) into your vein. That only took about 5-10 mins. 

After that they tell you they're going to close the curtain and leave you there for 1 hour and you need to lay back in the recliner and don't move at all for the hour, not even your arms or legs or any body part. Your not allowed to take anything in there with you. No tablet, phone or even a book to read. You just have to remain completely still for 1 hour. This is to allow the stuff they shot into you time to move into ever cell withing your body. Apparently any movement impacts that process negatively. I had never sat completely still for an hour of course and let me tell you - it's really hard to do! 1 hour seems like several in that situation. After the hour is over they take you into a room where the scanner is and run you in & out of the scanner a few times and then, you're done and free to leave.

The idea of the FDG mixture they put into your body is that cancetrous cells absorb sucrose (sugar) like crazy and the radioactive stuff in the mixture will make any cancerous areas light up on the scans they take. So that's that - done now. Now I simply wait to get the results of the scan back sometime later next week to see if any nodules in my lungs lit up on my scan.

 

To @Cbdave This tracer stuff is different from the tracer stuff they sometimes give you for a regular CT Scan. I've had that stuff too and yes, it makes you suddenly feel warm, like you peed yourself (). This stuff they gave me for the PET Scan didn't do that.

[Cbdave]

1 hour ago, Reciprocity said:

To @Cbdave This tracer stuff is different from the tracer stuff they sometimes give you for a regular CT Scan. I've had that stuff too and yes, it makes you suddenly feel warm, like you peed yourself (). This stuff they gave me for the PET Scan didn't do that.

Gday

mmmmm obviously had a too many scans. I’ve had one for cancer… instructions were keep away from pregnant woman, don’t dribble on toilet seats and definitely don’t pee on the lemon tree in the back yard….

[QuittingGirl]

Laying really still like that for an hour would be extremely difficult for sure.  I am keeping positive vibes and thoughts for you that all be be ok!!

[Reciprocity]

@Cbdave; the last time I had a CT Scan with that tracer stuff I had a terrible alergic reaction to it, which is weird as I've had it before and no reaction. As well, I'm not alergic to anthing else I've ever come in contact with but that one time I got a horrible itchy rash that lasted for awhile. 

I was told later there's something they can give you if you are alergic to that stuff so if I ever have to have it again, I'll have to go the route.

[Paul723]

Good Luck Reci, hoping for a good outcome!