Question 1

got results for pet scan on lung nodules. nodules are "undetermined" cuz of size but parotid glands on both side of neck showed "hot".  any relation?

Accepted Answer

No relation: Parotid glands can have chronic inflammation which will show up on a PET scan just like tumors do. But it is unlikely to be anything significant that should worry you. You can ignore it for the time being.

Question 2

what is the lowest  intake suv on a pet scan(lung  nodule)?

Accepted Answer

None: In general, any suv below 2.5 is considered not malignant, however one has to be careful as several factors affect suv, like the size of the lesion, also there is a lot of variability in suv among different machines and depends also on the dose injected.

Question 3

will a 6mm lung nodule show up on a pet scan?

Accepted Answer

Borderline to nope: It would be seen on the ct component of the scan but may not uptake enough FDG to make it light up.  Many centers use 8 mm as cutoff but i guess it will vary a bit from place to place.  I would not call such nodule negative if it did not light up on pet.

Question 4

can a pet scan light up with an infection (lung nodule)?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Iflammation, sarcoid and of course cancer will show up on a pet/ct.

Question 5

9mm lung nodule found lower lobe on abdomininal scan. follow up scan 6 months later nodule grew to 1.5 cm. pet scan no uptake former smoker 15 yrs ago?

Accepted Answer

Get biopsy/surgery: I know that your PET scan was negative, &amp; that is reassuring, but I would still recommend a biopsy because of the growth of this nodule.  If your nodule had not enlarged then u could follow with serial CT scans.  But with this growth you have a higher risk of malignancy.  You have at least a 18% chance of cancer.  Go talk to a Pulmonologist.  I would recommend a biopsy, which might require surgery

Question 6

can there be a difference in a ct and pet scan of 1mm in the results of a lung nodule?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A 1 mm difference in the size of a lesion imaged by two different scans (or even in 2 sequential scans done by the same machine) is usually of no significance.  You have to put it all in the context of clinical condition, presence of other lesions, and change over time.

Question 7

had an mri of a lung nodule that is non calcified ... slow growing since 2001... 9mm... radiologist made diagnoses of it being benign . how can he make such a diagnoses without truly knowing isn't a ct pet scan better to show or even a biopsy?

Accepted Answer

None of the above: Kind of confusing story. We don't usually do an MRI of the lung to get that answer. Was it a ct scan? There are only three ways we can prove a nodule is benign, each with its pluses and minuses. One is a clear radiographic appearance (calcium or fat within the nodule), two is to demonstrate the absence of growth over sufficient time, and three is take it out.

Question 8

is this too much in a 2 month period, 1 pet scan, i ct, 6 x-rays , a brain scan now doctors wants another pet .lung nodule 1.4 -2.7 suv?

Accepted Answer

Need vs safety: The average background radiation exposure is a bout 2 msv (millisievert)/yr, and an average pet scan uses 5-7, ct=6.5-8, chest xray=0.02, and an aircrew member 4-9/yr, for comparison. It is hard to tell how many pet can be safely done--if you need it and the benefit outweights the risk, it does not matter how many. Talk to your doc/oncologist/radiologist--they know your case best. Good luck.

Question 9

are subcentimeter lung nodules that have  not changed in size since january assumed to be benign if they do not light up on a pet scan. all are 6 mm?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily : Six millimeter nodules are small and may not light up in a pet scan even if malignant.  However, the fact they are stable is encouraging.  I would guess your doc will keep an eye on them unless there's something else that is suspicious for cancer.  Good luck.

Question 10

multiple lung nodules measure 2- 6mm all test have been ran all were negative .1.5cm lymph node axilla are all of them to small for pet scan?

Accepted Answer

maybe: The lower limit of detection for pet scan is ~1cm. The lung nodules are too small but the axillary lymph node should be large enough for pet scan to detect if there is increased metabolic activity.

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Doctor answers about:

Pet scan for lung nodule

A member asked:

Got results for pet scan on lung nodules. nodules are "undetermined" cuz of size but parotid glands on both side of neck showed "hot". any relation?

A member asked:

What is the lowest intake suv on a pet scan(lung nodule)?

A member asked:

Will a 6mm lung nodule show up on a pet scan?

A member asked:

Can a pet scan light up with an infection (lung nodule)?

A member asked:

9mm lung nodule found lower lobe on abdomininal scan. follow up scan 6 months later nodule grew to 1.5 cm. pet scan no uptake former smoker 15 yrs ago?

A member asked:

Can there be a difference in a ct and pet scan of 1mm in the results of a lung nodule?

A member asked:

Had an mri of a lung nodule that is non calcified ... slow growing since 2001... 9mm... radiologist made diagnoses of it being benign . how can he make such a diagnoses without truly knowing isn't a ct pet scan better to show or even a biopsy?

A member asked:

Is this too much in a 2 month period, 1 pet scan, i ct, 6 x-rays , a brain scan now doctors wants another pet .lung nodule 1.4 -2.7 suv?

A member asked:

Are subcentimeter lung nodules that have not changed in size since january assumed to be benign if they do not light up on a pet scan. all are 6 mm?

A member asked:

Multiple lung nodules measure 2- 6mm all test have been ran all were negative .1.5cm lymph node axilla are all of them to small for pet scan?

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