Matted vs Well-Defined Tumors - Difference on Prognosis?

[julierene]

Have any noticed a pattern about the tumor differentiation? My Onc said I had 2 "well-defined" tumors in my liver about 2cm and 1cm. I noticed some people said they had matted tumors in their liver and did very well on treatment. I was wondering if well-defined tumors carried a prognosis that was different? for better or worse, I'm just interested to hear if there is a difference. Thanks!

[eric]

My understanding is that matting in lymph nodes can effect staging while it has no impact on staging in the liver (stage 4 is stage 4). That being said, I don't think it has any bearing on reaction to treatment. My wife had matted nodes and was diagnosed at 3B and very soon after adjuvant treatment progressed to stage 4. Within months of her treatment for metastatic she was declared NED and thankfully has been that way since January. Point of the quick story is matted or not, once you find the right treatment you should get good results.
Hope that helps,
Eric