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Cathy1 · 02-26-2007, 01:30 PM

I am so devestated, I can barely type. My scans in November were all good and a petscan I took last week has me in shock. I knew there was something going on under my arm because of the pain, but didn't expect what else it found.
There is focal, markedly increased fdg uptake within the left axilla, corresponding to stranding soft tissue density surrounding multiple surgical clips in this region. The maximum suv has increased from 5.0 to 10.9. There are also numerous focal areas of moderately increase fdg uptake associated with the anterolateral mid left chest wall musculature. Maximum suvs range up to 2.9.
-multiple bilateral lung nodules are identified on the ct portion of the exam.; a small lateral right upper lobe nodule appears to have increase in size from the previous exam.
-a new tiny anterior left upper lobe nodule- maximum suv is 0.6
-new superior left lower lobe nodule adjacent to the major fissure-suv of 1.0
-small nodule located within the posterolateral aspect of the left lower lobe has increased from 1.5 to 2.0.
-new hypermetabolic subcarinal lymphadenopathy- max. suv is 5.3
-focal, abnormally increased fdg uptake along the medial aspect of the right iliac bone has increased in intensity from the previous exam, from a mas. suv of 4.1 to 6.9 (they told me it was arthritis in December)
-evidence of new left adrenal metastatic disease.

I have been off of xeloda and herceptin since last summer because my scans were good. The onc wants to start me on herceptin every three weeks and femara and zometa. I asked if he could take out whatever is under my arm because it hurts and he said that once you have it in multiple areas, they don't do surgery.I got the impression that why do surgery in one area, when another area will just get you.
He said something about quality of life and not putting me on chemo now because then my body might not be able to handle it later.So he will check again in two months and see if I need to go on chemo or not.
I just talked to my brother and he thinks I should get a biopsy of the area under my arm in hopes that they would know better what kind of chemo to put me on. I don't want to wait around not being on chemo if I could be fighting back with it now. Also, my other onc. who just retired always said, "You never give this stuff an even chance."
My left breast mastectomy was nine years ago and I had a recurrence by collar bone, under arm and between lungs three years ago. Herceptin and xeloda got rid of that.
Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas about what I should do. I am still in shock and can't stop crying. God Bless and Keep you All, Cathy

02-26-2007, 01:30 PM	#1
Cathy1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 43	Devestated I am so devestated, I can barely type. My scans in November were all good and a petscan I took last week has me in shock. I knew there was something going on under my arm because of the pain, but didn't expect what else it found. There is focal, markedly increased fdg uptake within the left axilla, corresponding to stranding soft tissue density surrounding multiple surgical clips in this region. The maximum suv has increased from 5.0 to 10.9. There are also numerous focal areas of moderately increase fdg uptake associated with the anterolateral mid left chest wall musculature. Maximum suvs range up to 2.9. -multiple bilateral lung nodules are identified on the ct portion of the exam.; a small lateral right upper lobe nodule appears to have increase in size from the previous exam. -a new tiny anterior left upper lobe nodule- maximum suv is 0.6 -new superior left lower lobe nodule adjacent to the major fissure-suv of 1.0 -small nodule located within the posterolateral aspect of the left lower lobe has increased from 1.5 to 2.0. -new hypermetabolic subcarinal lymphadenopathy- max. suv is 5.3 -focal, abnormally increased fdg uptake along the medial aspect of the right iliac bone has increased in intensity from the previous exam, from a mas. suv of 4.1 to 6.9 (they told me it was arthritis in December) -evidence of new left adrenal metastatic disease. I have been off of xeloda and herceptin since last summer because my scans were good. The onc wants to start me on herceptin every three weeks and femara and zometa. I asked if he could take out whatever is under my arm because it hurts and he said that once you have it in multiple areas, they don't do surgery.I got the impression that why do surgery in one area, when another area will just get you. He said something about quality of life and not putting me on chemo now because then my body might not be able to handle it later.So he will check again in two months and see if I need to go on chemo or not. I just talked to my brother and he thinks I should get a biopsy of the area under my arm in hopes that they would know better what kind of chemo to put me on. I don't want to wait around not being on chemo if I could be fighting back with it now. Also, my other onc. who just retired always said, "You never give this stuff an even chance." My left breast mastectomy was nine years ago and I had a recurrence by collar bone, under arm and between lungs three years ago. Herceptin and xeloda got rid of that. Does anyone have any thoughts or ideas about what I should do. I am still in shock and can't stop crying. God Bless and Keep you All, Cathy