Gallium Scan

LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

Hi,

How good are Gallium Scans at picking up Lymphoma? I had a 48 hrs Gallium scan and am awaiting the results, did anyone else have one of these tests in their lead up to diagnoses?

brainman · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:39 am Post subject: Re: Gallium Scan

Gallium Scans are often used to diagnose Lymphomas. It is a wonderful tool in the doctor's hands. Hope someone with personal experience will come along soon.
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LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

[quote="brainman"]Gallium Scans are often used to diagnose Lymphomas. It is a wonderful tool in the doctor's hands. Hope someone with personal experience will come along soon.[/quote]

I know PET is more common in the U.S, we're a little behind in Australia, we can only get a Gallium Scan until we get a diagnosis, then we can have a PET for staging. The Government only re-reimburse for Galliu

It would be great to hear from some people who have had Gallium Scans, hopefully mine comes back ok Smile

ChemoMan · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: Gallium Scan

Hi

Gallium scans are very good at picking up hidden infections as well as cancers. PET scans are better at picking up cancers but not good for infections. PET scans are also useful for detecting brain damage caused by dementia as well as other uses in neurology and Psychiatry. PET scans are covered in Australia, I never paid for any of mine, but I'm pretty sure they are only covered after a positive diagnosis for cancer. They are very expensive machines and the isotopes are difficult to manufacture and distribute which adds to the cost.

I hope all goes well and your questions finally have some answers. Good luck and keep us posted.
_________________
Age 53
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
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LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

You're correct Chemoman, it's unfortunate that a can't get a PET scan while looking for signs of Lymphoma. Gallium Scans seem like the old fashioned version of a PET scan.

Has anyone else here had Lymphoma detected on a Gallium scan?

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

Hi

I had two gallium scans, one for staging and one post-chemo. Both of them confired the results of my colonoscopies. There's no way of knowing whether the specialist missed signs of cancer elsewhere, but it seems pretty unlikely.

I'm confident that, if you have cancer , then the gallium scan will find it for you.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

Thank you so much for your reply, do you have any idea if you had the scan 24, 48 or 72 hrs post injection?

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

Both times I had the injection on Friday and the scan on Monday, so about 72 hours each.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

Good to know I'm not the only one who has had this test, like I said I had a 48 hr and am awaiting the results.

LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

Well I got the results of the Gallium tonight, No Abnormal Uptake noted.

What the hell do I do now? I wish I could ignore this and get on with life but the symptoms I am experiencing are real and detract from my quality of life. Especially the itching. This is hell for a 23 yr old.

joepet · Senior User Joined: 18 Dec 2008 Posts: 377 Location: Japan

To be perfectly frank, I already knew what the result of your gallium scan would be before you told us...

Now that you have this data, you are free to treat your symptoms for what they are. ChemoMan suggested a dermatologist, and that seems to be a rational step. Or perhaps you could follow up on the "it's all in your mind" suggestion that you generally resist and seek a psych consultation. But to continue down the path of believing that you have a major disease when all data points to the contrary is the road to insanity.

Good luck.
_________________
Age 37 (36 at diagnosis)
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 1AE (localized in colon)
Began six cycles of R chop 21 3rd Dec 2008
Finished R chop 21 Apr 2009
Complete remission as of May 2009

LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

Hi,

I guess I can't argue with the feedback, it's just hard when the symptoms are real, are persistent and there is no real explanation.

But thanks for the comments.

ChemoMan · Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 3:33 pm Post subject: Re: Gallium Scan

Hi LukeM69

No one is denying your symptoms are real, you just need to track down what ever it is, but whatever it is it is unlikely to be cancer.

I hope you get some answers soon and good luck
_________________
Age 53
Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma
Stage 2a
Finished six cycles of R chop 21 26th May 2008
Officially in remission 9th July 2008
Remission confirmed 1st October 2008
Remission confirmed 17 June 2009
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9620
RULE NUMBER 1.....Don't Panic
RULE NUMBER 2..... NEVER GIVE UP
RULE NUMBER 3..... Don't forget the first 2 rules

Dad57 · Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 6:59 am Post subject: Re: Gallium Scan

Luke

Although I am unfortunately posting here regularly for my son who does have Lymphoma - I personally had similar symptoms to you several years ago. Terrible itching and night sweats were mine.

I too thought I must have Lymphoma but it turned out I had Urticaria and for the last five years I take Cetirizine (antihistamine) twice a day. Have you tried Piriton or similar from the pharmacy?

Cheers
_________________
21 yr old male
Diffuse Large B-Cell Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
Stage 1A Mediastinal Mass 8cm x 7cm
Diagnosed October 09
Started course of 6 x R-CHOP 14 in Nov 09
Course complete Jan 2010
Remission declared March 4th 2010

LukeM69 · Regular Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 35 Location: Brisbane

HiDad57,

I just read up on Urticaria it doesn't sound like the type of skin burning/itching I get, but trying an anti-histamine to see what effect that has on my generalized itching is my next step. Can anyone tell me what type of anti-histamine I should use for unexplained generalized itching without a rash?

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