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Brain PET results
I had a brain PET on Wednesday that was thankfully cold.
Here's the info. The PET was a follow-up to MRI scans every three months from last June that showed progressive enhancement of the operative bed. The craniotomy was in mid October 2008, followed by five shots of image modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a form of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT).
If the PET had lit up, the neurooncologist recommended surgery to determine whether there was tumor regrowth or scar tissue, as the latter can also light up. The radiation oncologist said that I could have more radiation to that area, which surprised me. He mentioned whole brain radiation as a possibility, to which I shook my head no. But he also said that targeted therapy was also an option, but of course at a lower dose.
There were no other spots on the brain MRI.
Now I'm going to turn my attention to the fluid buildup in my back in the area of the thoracic surgery/lung wedge resection I had last summer. The fluid the surgeon withdrew in the office a few weeks ago tested negative for everything (cancer and bacterial and fungal infection). The CT scan report suggested the possibility of a "communication" between the pleural space and posterior wall. When I asked him about that on the phone, he noted cutting a lot of muscle and maybe something came a part. Prior to that in the office he said that is something seen shortly after surgery. He's the silent type and would not speculate in the office how the fluid might have accumulated. He only discussed the communication between the two spaces when I asked him about it.
I have a tremendous about of discomfort again, perhaps related to the deep penetration of fluid in the back muscle.
Joan
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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!!
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