Depew, NY
A 68-year-old male asked:
pet scan results were fine so why do they want me to have a bronchial scope done ?wouldn't the scan have shown any spread to the lymph nodes already ?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gerald Mandell answered
Nuclear Medicine 52 years experience
Variable conditions: Pet scan is quite sensitive in detecting metabolically active tumors. Sometimes other issues contribute to the patient's health such as infectious components or problems in lung ventilation.You should question your physician about any test or change in your health care. You should have an answer to any question concerning your health.
5170 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. David Dang answered
Radiology 14 years experience
Ask for explanation: This depends on what is shown in the lung on the ct and your symptoms. Pet is good but not an answer for everything. You should be able to ask your doctor for an explanation.
5168 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Larry Wilf answered
Nuclear Medicine 34 years experience
Not necessarily : Pet scans can prevent lymph node biopsies when they are positive, but when staging disease a negative "scan" does not exclude metastasis ( particularly if lung cancer metastasis is the question).
5156 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Joseph Accurso answered
Radiology 29 years experience
Not if very small: Pet scans are quite accurate in lung cancer, as long as the cancer is metabolically active and bigger than 10 mm (or 3/8 of an inch). Pet can sometimes detect cancers smaller than 10 mm, but not reliably. So, the normal pet scan is very good news, but your physicians have some concern or are being very diligent and want to look everywhere they can for cancer.
5150 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Sep 15, 2013
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.