|
Disappointing PET/CT scan
I'm very disappointed at the result of the PET/CT scan I had this morning, almost one year after my lung surgery to remove a solitary pulmonary nodule.
It appears that there's another nodule in the apex of my left lung with an SUV of 3.2, and it's "contiguous with an area of post-operative fibrotic change which has otherwise remained non-active since the earlier exam," according to the report.
Six month after my surgery, I had a PET/CT in October which was NED.
The new nodule is 8 mm. The report suggested that I follow up in two or three months with a CT scan, which would give more clarity.
I was due to meet with my onc late this afternoon anyway, and she had the results of the scan already (but not the results of the echo I had last month, or in particular the left ventricle ejection fraction part).
She wants me to meet with the thorasic surgeon who removed the SPN from my lung to get his take on the new nodule because it's so close to the area where the other nodule was removed, but she's not recommending surgery.
Other than this nodule, the rest of the test was okay.
Although it seems unlikely given my history, there's actually a few things, like scarcoidosis, which mimic cancer nodules and have SUV uptake. Also, I've also had a rash for over a month on my shin bones. The rash is flat, looks like little pin pricks and doesn't itch. My GP gave me cream for it, but it's still there even if a little less than before.
I was really hoping for more NED time. Oh well, I'll just have to keep on truckin'.
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 2023 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
|
Threaded Mode