Pet scans / micro met treatments

LSil

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2012

Posts : 51

Posted 5/3/2016 10:07 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all,
Looking for a bit of help . My husband is about to start HT again, second round, after a 15 mo vacation.His scans came back negative, which is good so far. But PSA on the rise,7.3 do to the rise in T 550. We are thinking of trying to get into the 18F DCFBC pet scan at NIH. My questions are, if mets are detected with the pet scan, what different options are there in treating them besides HT. I assume they are called micro mets. Does the definition of the diagnosis change from non metastatic to metastatic?
We have an appt with the oncologist tomorrow, and was looking for a little help on what questions to ask before we go, or some knowledge on what treatments we could use if mets are detected with the pet scan

Thanks Lsil

Tall Allen

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2012

Posts : 10645

Posted 5/3/2016 11:09 PM (GMT 0)

Hi LSil,

It would help if you'd include a signature with his current diagnosis and treatment history. It's impossible to answer your question without knowing what treatments he's had, their outcomes, why he was started on intermittent HT, etc. The PET scan you described may be useful for several treatment decisions in several situations, but I can't comment until I know more.

If they are detected, they are not micromets.

- Allen

LSil

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2012

Posts : 51

Posted 5/4/2016 8:39 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks Tall Allen
I thought it was there when I posted.i have added the signature.

Tall Allen

Elite Member

Joined : Jul 2012

Posts : 10645

Posted 5/4/2016 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks. Now I understand the situation. He's had SRT that failed, and is now on iHT because of the rapid doubling time. The HT is working very well for him, and you are contemplating a PET scan while his PSA is elevated.

The only thing you might do differently because of it is to start him on Taxotere now. When there are detected mets, Taxotere increases survival and quality of life longer than if you wait. If you are in the eastern US, the NIH study is a good one, and it is cost free.

- Allen

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply