Pet scans are expensive. They are a lot of radiation. And they only find lesions greater than 1cm, typically. They also light up a lot of false positives and potentially lead to unnecessary biopsies. But all that said, if you have a complaint that can't be determined with any other test, your doctor may order one.

My tumor markers are always normal . I have stage lv. So the only way to know if there is a problem is to scan me . Most times tumor markers will increase if there is a problem.

I had one initial PET scan but insurance won't pay for another. They said they didn't think it was necessary since I had a mastectomy & not needing rads or chemo also negative nodes. They will pay for CT so that is what I have done.

I was Stage III and my doctor did not seem to think I needed a PET scan or any scan after treatment. I saw her every 3 months for about 9 months and then she said I could see her every 6 months now. She monitors with blood tests and breast exam.

In my case it was my Doctor, he didn't see the need for a PET scan. I've been going to see him every three months since I got done with chemo and he takes blood and says I am doing great.