Question 1

what is the definition or description of: pet-ct breast cancer staging?

Accepted Answer

PET - CT: Pet-ct scans are a means of combining the x-ray of a ct scan with the functional study of a pet scan. The pet scan can see over-active cells that are actively using glucose. The over-active cells may represent cancer cells and is a means of telling if cancer cells are spreading or growing somewhere in the body. The ct scan may see a growth & the pet scan can see if the growth has overactive cells.

Question 2

an mri in nov 2012 showed a radiological cyst on l. femur; pain since may 2012. i have stage 111c breast cancer. should i get a pet /ct?

Accepted Answer

Should see doc ASAP: I am sorry to hear of your breast cancer status. Mri picture is only a picture. Regardless of what it is, it is causing you pain and that should be evaluated and treated. Maybe it is a cyst, or maybe it is something else. You have reasons to get it looked at more thoroughly and so please don't hesitate to consult your doc.  Good luck to you.

Question 3

i have metastatic breast cancer to the spine. is a ct scan w/contrast or pet scan better for diagnoses?

Accepted Answer

Specific tests: It sounds like you have a formulated diagnosis. Above tests are used based on the type of question asked. Typically done for surveillance for cancers, PET scan is typically full body and has a functional (metabolic) component, while CT scans are best to compare with previous similar studies and provide structural detail ( preferred for chest and abdomen).

Question 4

can breast cancer be spotted through a chest ct scan?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes though that is not the test of choice. A chest ct will usually spot breast cancer as an incidental finding. It is not as sensitive as a mammogram or ultrasound of the breast.

Question 5

will i get breast cancer from ct pulmonary angiogram for pe? 32 female. saw one article said risk is increased by 14%! very scared. had ct abd b4 also

Accepted Answer

Very unlikely: the life time accumulated dose  has an effect
if you are a sun worshiper that give you more radiation exposure than car scan .if you want you can ask for the amount of radiation exposure from the scan from the place it was done

Question 6

would a chest ct/cta with and without contrast show red flags or suspicions for breast cancer?

Accepted Answer

: Suspicion of ca of breast requires specific radiographic assessment for diagnosis- chest CT may show suspicion but is not diagnostic.

Question 7

i had bilateral breast cancer and ct with rt. now ct scan showed atelectasis or infiltration in the right middle and left lingula. er doc said it's ok?

Accepted Answer

Atelectasis: There are a number of reasons for atelectasis (collapse alveoli or air sacs) or infiltration (areas of inflammation) in the lung: infection, mucus plugging, or shallow breathing. Though the cause is most likely unrelated to your cancer, lung cancers or recurrent breast may sometimes appear as infiltration.  Best thing to do is to schedule a follow-up visit with your oncologist for evaluation.

Question 8

you asked:
i have metastatic breast cancer in spine. i'm on ibrance and letrozole. my blood sugars are high from letrozole. could my low white blood ct. also be effecting my sugars?

Accepted Answer

High sugar: Since I can't find reports of Letrozole causing elevation of blood sugar and if you are a known diabetic,your physician should be notified of your high blood sugar and get you under control. A dietician at your hospital can help you with proper diet and determine your ideal weight and daily calorie intake in collaboration with your MD.

Question 9

i have stage iv breast cancer(in remission, 4years) on my latest ct scan they found biapical pleural and parenchymal scarring, is it something for me to be worried about?

Accepted Answer

: If you've ever had radiation treatments for your breast cancer this scarring may be the effects of that. A pulmonologist can evaluate and advise you about the cause of the scarring and its effects on your lung function

Question 10

how would lung cancer or breast cancer cause upper back pain? i have had ct chest ok/ mri throactic no contrast ok. missed cancer?

Accepted Answer

Very unlikely: Those two exams should be very good at ruling out tumor in the spine. Consider seeing a physical medicine specialist for evaluation and treatment.

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Doctor answers about:

Pet ct breast cancer restaging

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: pet-ct breast cancer staging?

A member asked:

An mri in nov 2012 showed a radiological cyst on l. femur; pain since may 2012. i have stage 111c breast cancer. should i get a pet /ct?

A member asked:

I have metastatic breast cancer to the spine. is a ct scan w/contrast or pet scan better for diagnoses?

A member asked:

Can breast cancer be spotted through a chest ct scan?

A member asked:

Will i get breast cancer from ct pulmonary angiogram for pe? 32 female. saw one article said risk is increased by 14%! very scared. had ct abd b4 also

A member asked:

Would a chest ct/cta with and without contrast show red flags or suspicions for breast cancer?

A member asked:

I had bilateral breast cancer and ct with rt. now ct scan showed atelectasis or infiltration in the right middle and left lingula. er doc said it's ok?

A member asked:

You asked: i have metastatic breast cancer in spine. i'm on ibrance and letrozole. my blood sugars are high from letrozole. could my low white blood ct. also be effecting my sugars?

A member asked:

I have stage iv breast cancer(in remission, 4years) on my latest ct scan they found biapical pleural and parenchymal scarring, is it something for me to be worried about?

A member asked:

How would lung cancer or breast cancer cause upper back pain? i have had ct chest ok/ mri throactic no contrast ok. missed cancer?

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