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Cindi · 10-19-2005, 05:35 AM

Sandy,

It seems that the only time my Onc orders a PET scan is when I have progression. I was on Navelbine/Herc last fall, just in case...as I had a recurrence of 2 ancillary lymph nodes (2 years after original dx Apr of 2002). The only scan that found the 2nd lymph was a PET. Then the skin mets showed up. The Navelbine/Herc didn't work - progression. Then it was off to daily hypothermia rads for 2 1/2 months. After that Herceptin only for 2 months - progression of skin mets. Another PET to be sure it wasn't anywhere else. Now after 6 months of Xeloda and Cytoxan, I have new spot and radial plexus nerve damage that was radiating down my arm. They did an MRI and it came back "suspicious for cancer"....the radiologist couldn't be sure one way or the other (the nerve damage could have been from radiation). So, I think tomorrows PET is to take a look under my arm (where the radial plexus problem is) and again to check if there is cancer anywhere else.

Sandy, I read your messages in earnest. You are a longtime survivor of skin mets. I admire your courage and I try to learn what I can from your experience. My original dx was not for inflammatory ca, but my skin mets certainly have that component. I do not have nodules, just red areas that are "under the skin" in the dermal layer of the skin, so I've been told.

God Bless
Cindi.

10-19-2005, 05:35 AM	#9
Cindi Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 50	Sandy - PET scans Sandy, It seems that the only time my Onc orders a PET scan is when I have progression. I was on Navelbine/Herc last fall, just in case...as I had a recurrence of 2 ancillary lymph nodes (2 years after original dx Apr of 2002). The only scan that found the 2nd lymph was a PET. Then the skin mets showed up. The Navelbine/Herc didn't work - progression. Then it was off to daily hypothermia rads for 2 1/2 months. After that Herceptin only for 2 months - progression of skin mets. Another PET to be sure it wasn't anywhere else. Now after 6 months of Xeloda and Cytoxan, I have new spot and radial plexus nerve damage that was radiating down my arm. They did an MRI and it came back "suspicious for cancer"....the radiologist couldn't be sure one way or the other (the nerve damage could have been from radiation). So, I think tomorrows PET is to take a look under my arm (where the radial plexus problem is) and again to check if there is cancer anywhere else. Sandy, I read your messages in earnest. You are a longtime survivor of skin mets. I admire your courage and I try to learn what I can from your experience. My original dx was not for inflammatory ca, but my skin mets certainly have that component. I do not have nodules, just red areas that are "under the skin" in the dermal layer of the skin, so I've been told. God Bless Cindi.