Question about lung cancer

[WVBIG47]

If a person has had lung cancer once & is having the symptoms again, how likely is it that the cancer has returned?

[EdEarl]

I'm not aware of any physicians who post on this forum, and forum policy is opposed to anyone giving medical advice. I do not know the answer you seek, and do not know if anyone will answer. I'm sorry for the lack of information, and hope you and your loved ones do not have cancer.

[Phi for All]

If a person has had lung cancer once & is having the symptoms again, how likely is it that the cancer has returned?

 

Likely enough to have it checked out by a professional.

[WVBIG47]

 

Likely enough to have it checked out by a professional.

He was scheduled for a PET Scan, but Medicare won't pay for it now. I thought maybe it was because the likelihood was high enough that a PET Scan would be considered unnecessary

[Phi for All]

He was scheduled for a PET Scan, but Medicare won't pay for it now. I thought maybe it was because the likelihood was high enough that a PET Scan would be considered unnecessary

 

Did this person's doctor get the scan pre-approved? That can sometimes raise a flag that gets the procedure rejected out of hand.

 

I'm not that familiar with Medicare, but they approved PET scans in general (and surely for lung cancer?) maybe 4-5 years ago. I would definitely check into it and see if they've changed the coverage. Be a squeaky wheel.

[Tridimity]

He was scheduled for a PET Scan, but Medicare won't pay for it now. I thought maybe it was because the likelihood was high enough that a PET Scan would be considered unnecessary

 

It's not possible to know with any certainty from symptoms alone, a scan is required. I'm not sure how the politics of Medicare works but don't give up on this.

[WVBIG47]

I don't know if it was pre-approved or not. I know some things Medicare only pays for every few years. For example, I'm a paraplegic who walks with a walker. Medicare will only pay for one every 3 years. It's only been about 2 years since he had lung cancer. He surely had a PET Scan then. Maybe it's just too soon for them to pay for another one. The first time I ever heard of a PET Scan was when my late brother-in-law had one. They said it showed no cancer. It was wrong. Is there maybe a more reliable test now?