Has Anyone Experienced Unclear PET Scan Results After Cancer Treatment?

Hey Richard, I have NSCLC and my first PET scan showed some "inflammation " that lit up. I had a 9 cm tumor in the right upper lobe. My last two scans have shown no evidence of active cancer cells. I'm almost 76. Stay positive and strong. Fight like a warrior!

PET scans are the best and extremely detailed. It takes true experts to read the scans. Good your docs are paying attention to any oddities they see. All could be swelling. A PET will pick that up. When is your next PET scan? Is the question you need to ask yourself. Scans are not perfect. Neither are doctors. Always remember to ask questions. Lots of them. Unfortunately, doctors have a license to “Practice” Medicine. Key is to own your own health. What I have learned through my journey having half of my upper soft palate removed to the same cancer.

Hi! Britt, I don’t have a second scan scheduled yet 🙏 I have a follow up appointment with my ENT on 7-25 he was the one that diagnosed my cancer, I have had one visit with him since my treatments. He put a camera in my throat and said he didn’t see any cancer, but there is still some swelling, he showed me on the monitor where it was. I have a good team of doctors the ( Robert and Beverly cancer center) that all communicate with each other. My oncologist said that it could be inflammation and that he did not want to give a definitive answer until he knows for certain. So he is in contact with my ENT and they are all in the loop and communicating with each other.  I am comfortable and confident with my team of doctors and nurses that have helped me through this process. 🙏

Hi Richard , Prayers for you . I start my radiation and chemo soon. Squamous cell carcinoma left tonsil tumor and in lymph nodes. May I ask how your radiation and chemo treatments went. I’m having a lot of anxiety not knowing what to expect.

Hey Frances, radiation and chemo is a rough road. I wish you strength to handle the rocky road ahead. Fight like a warrior! Sending you positive energy!

Thank you Garey

Hi Frances! The treatments are painless but can be exhausting. I had 35 radiation treatments. One a day and chemo every other week, besides the regular treatment I asked for extra hydration, which I would do on separate days, it really helped me. Staying positive and focused on nutrition and exercise, it’s not always easy but for me it is necessary !

Thank you Richard. I find your posts to be very helpful and positive 🙂

PET scan results showing continued activity after treatment can understandably cause concern, and many cancer patients experience this uncertainty during follow-up appointments. Inflammation from recent radiation and chemotherapy treatments can indeed cause areas to "light up" on scans, which is why oncologists often recommend repeat imaging or additional monitoring to distinguish between treatment effects and other concerns. Connecting with others who've navigated similar post-treatment imaging experiences might provide helpful perspective during this waiting period.