I have a bad feeling

kareneg · 06-25-2007, 05:23 PM

Hi,
I had an appointment with the doctor today and I am so confused. My Tumor Ca 27-29 is now 60 from 282, so I though the catscan would be better. I have copied word for word the report of the ct scan, I don't know how to take this. I asked my doctor how the lesion on my pancreas was and he said it was the same but the report is different. Any input will be greatly apprieciated! her is the report.

In the abdomen, the diffuse fatty infiltration is less prominent than on the prior examination but these appear to have increased in number in the interval. For example,on image 77 of series 2 there are four lesions measuring up to 2.7 cm in diameter which are clearly visualized compared to a single lesion on the prior examination. On image 82 of series 2 there are three lesions seen in segment 2 compared to a single lesion on the prior examination. On image 82 of series 2 there are three lesions seen in segment 2 compared to a single lesion on the prior examination and these lesions range from 2 to 3.2 cm in diameter. New large lesions are seen in segment 4B of the liver on images 96 and 103. The former measures 1.8 cm in diameter and the latter measures 3.4 cm in diameter. There are new calcifications visualized just above the gallbladder fossa as well as calcifications seen in segmant 7 and 8 on the prior examination. These likely are due to prior treated tumor. There is no periportal lynphadenopathy seen and the portal caval lymph node seen on the prior examonation are not clearly or discretly visualized here. The hypodense lesion in the tail of the pancreas is seen on image 99 od seris 2 and has increased in size to 3.0 x 2.3 cm.There is no dilation of the pancreatic duct. The portaland splenic veins remain patent although the splenic vein appers attenuated as it passes posterior to the pancreatic tail mass.

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Bev · 06-25-2007, 08:11 PM

I don't know Karen. Just posting to keep thread alive. Good luck. Bev

hutchibk · 06-25-2007, 09:52 PM

I don't know if this applies, but I learned from my last MRI that some spots that weren't "necessarily" seen last time, were seen this time due to better (or just different) "slices." (Both CT and MRI scanners can generate multiple two-dimensional cross-sections (slices) of tissue and three-dimensional reconstructions.)

The Radiologist told my doc that upon comparing the images, there really was nothing new, just some spots that were not as enhanced on the previous images, but due to better slices this time, it was more obvious what they were. The same thing might have happened in your case. When was your last CT? Do you have that report? Can you compare the two? Ask your doc to have the radiologist explain the differences in the two.

Also, tumor markers don't always correspond to activity seen in scans. There are many possible explanations, but be sure you call your doc back and quiz him.

SoCalGal · 06-25-2007, 11:45 PM

Hi,
Just wanted to say that I would make a list and would call my doc and say I had a bunch of concerns and did he want to discuss them on the phone or should I make an appointment and come in?

Don't give up hope - markers going down are a good sign. I don't know all the other things about your scan - that's the doc's job - make him do it!

Believe51 · 06-26-2007, 07:36 AM

Karen, I wanted to let you know the is the first post I have read this morning and I needed you to know I am right here, Love. If you need me tonight you must call me anytime, I sleep with the phones by my side and I think I told you that last we spoke. The tumor markers have gone down quite a bit and gladly so, and we know to take them with a grain of salt even though they do sometimes alert us to changes in the body. I do agree that sometimes the second test does have some changes at times because of the circumstances regarding who performed test, who read test, condition of slice.....

I am not here to give you false hope or to tell you the things I wish I could tell you. This morning brings a very dear friend even closer to heart, even louder in prayer. Today when you can sit and relax for a moment place a call in to your doctor, he needs to clarify a bit better what is going on in your body. If you have to write down the immediate questions you need answered (I love Post-Its!)..LOL. You are going to need some kind of closure before you can digest what is happening here.

Again Sweetheart, I shall be near the phones tonight as I always am. If you need or want to talk I will be waiting. If you need quiet or to relax with the family then my family will have you close to heart thinking serene thoughts & praying. Until you get any news today about your tests, try to focus on the 'what is' and not the 'what if's'. Remember our phone call and the wonderful things we talked about. We are so happy to have you in our lives, I love you so much My Warrior and Every Day You Fight This Fight, You Are A Survivor in my book!!!!

I love you dearly and waiting will be tough today but put the call in, write down your concerns, beckon your friends and family and keep the faith.

I still BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs and prayers coming your way, hope you can still catch!!.....

Waiting For A Miracle>>>Believe51....(Marie G)

StephN · 06-26-2007, 11:01 AM

What a report to get! The radiologists are thorough, and this should be comforting in itself.

What I am wondering is whether tumor markers have been VERY accurate in predicting your disease path or not.
Also, have you had the HER2 serum test? If not, I would get that ASAP.

One more hint as to what is going on with the previously noted spots. There may be some scar tissue where the tumors are now dead tissue. These would not show like normal healthy tissue and can be confusing.

A PET/CT would help differentiate which spots "light up" like active disease and which just show as abnormal tissue and more likely are scar areas.

Let us know what you find out, OK?

kareneg · 06-27-2007, 09:49 AM

Hi Gals,

Thank you so much for the support. As for my tumor marker CA 27-29 they have always been on the money. If it starts creeping over 45 there is something going on this has been the case for the past 9 years. I will have tons of questions for the doc next time I see him which is in a few weeks. He seems to think the liver is healing it self but what really concerns me is my pancreas. What ever that lesion is I want it gone before it turns into something real bad. I am schedualed for Doxil and Herceptin Friday and more bloodwork in between and I see him in the begining of August. My last marker stayed the same it was 60 I just hope the next one goes down. And Steph I want the Her2 serum test done I will demand it. As for now I am just going to concentrate on vacation we leave on Saturday for camping for one week how I love it! And then on July14th we will be spending the whole week at Cape Cod I have never been there I am really looking forward to that trip too. Again thank you all so much I Love You all you are all the best!