Hi Everone concerned with this necrosis vs. recurrence,
If you look at the literature, necrosis can be a problem. It can be just as debilitating as a tumor. Necrosis is a response to radiation damage and a lot is still unknown about it. That is what my radiologist told me and necrosis is a special interest of his.
I am still dealing with this issue. I had surgery for a possible recurrence last December. It turned out to be necrosis, but the area is still lighting up, as PET-CT and MRI-Spectroscopy scans remain inconclusive. I just had the above repeat scans yesterday. I am up in NH and am terrified to hear the results. I'm not going to deal with it until I go back to Boston for treatment next Wednesday. I don't want to go through that surgery for a third time. If the area still lights up I'm hoping that they will continue to just watch it.
Steph, I know how you feel and I hope that this area of concern resolves in time. My radiologist said that necrosis can resolve on its own, but not always.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.
|