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Joan M · 09-15-2010, 08:15 AM

Koryn,

While a PET/CT can be indicative of cancer if the nodule is about 1 cm and therefore has a greater chance of lighting up, I'd prefer a liver MRI. The MRI would give a detailed review of the liver and reveal any nodules, including benign nodules, that might have been missed by a CT scan. Overall, my sense (and it's only my gut feeling) is that if you're experiencing pain, the cancer would be big enough to show up on any of these tests. And a second test can really help rule one way or the other.

What does the radiologist's report say? His or her impression? Does he or she give a recommendation for follow-up? Six months? etc.? It's important for you to get all copies of your reports. Perhaps only a follow-up is necessary.

Also, in reference to Tamoxifen, you were blessed in being ER+/PR+. 70% of breast cancers are. The reason it's a blessing is because Tamoxifen and related endocrine drugs have cut the rate of breast cancer recurrence by 50% in 25 years of use. By recurrence I mean the cancer spreading to stage 3, or locally advancing to lymph nodes, for example, or becoming stage 4 and invading another organ (not to be confused with coming back in the other breast, which would be another primary breast cancer, not a recurrence). That said, you should speak to your onc about an alternative to Tamoxifen.

It's possible that the rib pain was caused by the mastectomy and silicone implant. I had DIEP flap reconstruction and my ribs bothered me for quite some time.

Joan

09-15-2010, 08:15 AM	#6
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: Best imaging method for dx mets? Koryn, While a PET/CT can be indicative of cancer if the nodule is about 1 cm and therefore has a greater chance of lighting up, I'd prefer a liver MRI. The MRI would give a detailed review of the liver and reveal any nodules, including benign nodules, that might have been missed by a CT scan. Overall, my sense (and it's only my gut feeling) is that if you're experiencing pain, the cancer would be big enough to show up on any of these tests. And a second test can really help rule one way or the other. What does the radiologist's report say? His or her impression? Does he or she give a recommendation for follow-up? Six months? etc.? It's important for you to get all copies of your reports. Perhaps only a follow-up is necessary. Also, in reference to Tamoxifen, you were blessed in being ER+/PR+. 70% of breast cancers are. The reason it's a blessing is because Tamoxifen and related endocrine drugs have cut the rate of breast cancer recurrence by 50% in 25 years of use. By recurrence I mean the cancer spreading to stage 3, or locally advancing to lymph nodes, for example, or becoming stage 4 and invading another organ (not to be confused with coming back in the other breast, which would be another primary breast cancer, not a recurrence). That said, you should speak to your onc about an alternative to Tamoxifen. It's possible that the rib pain was caused by the mastectomy and silicone implant. I had DIEP flap reconstruction and my ribs bothered me for quite some time. Joan __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!