Pet Scan Results

Brenda Bricco
Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
edited March 2013 in Colorectal Cancer #1

 Dennis got PET this morning and results in the afternoon with PA. The report wasn't in but the images were... she told us that there was a 4.6 tumor on the right side of the liver (side that was resected 65%). We left to only get a call from her a few minutes later to tell us that the report says that is two lesions near each other one is 5cm and the other is 1.5cm (do I have this right, do they measure in cm?). She said that the radiologists felt that there were several options i.e, chemo beads, chemo, HAI (I think I like what I have heard about HAI) or another resection. I find it interesting that the mets came back on the side that was resected and didn't the side that was RFA'd. hmm

I guess with the rising CEA and the results of the CT I knew it was there some where (most likely liver mets but was praying that it wasn't any where else). The PA walked in the room and said it's not good news ( I almost passed out), she proceeded to show us the liver tumors as I waited to hear that it was in other organs (it's not). How sad when you learn to celebrate that your loved one has cancer in "just one organ". I am so sad that my husband has to continue on in this night mare but so thankful that we have options.

The plan is to consult with liver surgeon in Madison on Tuesday the 5th but if anyone has any experience with a second resection or any other of the treatments for a reoccurance I really need to hear your thoughts/experiences.

I see there was some good news on the board today which is awesome (Congrats Phil) and that really helped. I didn't realize how happy I could be to see good news for others on a day that we got bad news but it really does feel good to see that one of us has good going on for them. I know we are all on a heck of a ride here but I wish miracles for us all...

GOD's blessings.

Brenda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #2
    Missing text

    Hope you look back in soon so we can get an update on your beloved. 

  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #3
     

    Something is horse #hit... not sure what happened to the body of my previous post. Tongue Out 

  • sdp
    sdp Member Posts: 181
    #4
    Mets in resected liver portion
    Hi Brenda,

    When did he have his resection done ? What was the scan report immediately after resection ?
    Was he on any chemo or maintenance chemo after the resection?

    From the scan or the report can you tell if mets are in the areas which was cut out ? Is there a chance that the margins left by the surgeon during resection inadequate ? What is the trend of his cancer markers CEA And CA 19-9? Have you asked the doc if RFA is feasible in his case ? That would be less invasive then a resection.

    I had my resection of liver in august 2012. Rfa of two tumors in sept 2012. The Pet scan after resection in November 2012 showed 3 minor spots light up at the area where it was resected. However, no other area and even not where RFA was done.

    Was on maintenance chemo of erbitux till now. Will have the scan done in a week and then decide further treatment plan.
    In the meantime if you can have some replies to my above queries it would be most helpful.
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #5
    sdp said:

    Mets in resected liver portion
    Hi Brenda,

    When did he have his resection done ? What was the scan report immediately after resection ?
    Was he on any chemo or maintenance chemo after the resection?

    From the scan or the report can you tell if mets are in the areas which was cut out ? Is there a chance that the margins left by the surgeon during resection inadequate ? What is the trend of his cancer markers CEA And CA 19-9? Have you asked the doc if RFA is feasible in his case ? That would be less invasive then a resection.

    I had my resection of liver in august 2012. Rfa of two tumors in sept 2012. The Pet scan after resection in November 2012 showed 3 minor spots light up at the area where it was resected. However, no other area and even not where RFA was done.

    Was on maintenance chemo of erbitux till now. Will have the scan done in a week and then decide further treatment plan.
    In the meantime if you can have some replies to my above queries it would be most helpful.

    When did he have his

    When did he have his resection done ? Feb 22, 2012 

    What was the scan report immediately after resection ? Clear
    Was he on any chemo or maintenance chemo after the resection? Xeloda for 6 months

    From the scan or the report can you tell if mets are in the areas which was cut out ? Not sure, will have to ask

    Is there a chance that the margins left by the surgeon during resection inadequate ? Probable, they took as much as they could (65%)

    What is the trend of his cancer markers CEA And CA 19-9? Dropped immediatly after resection as low as 9 and then started heading up Dec 2012

    Oh, and he is Kras Mutant

    Have you asked the doc if RFA is feasible in his case ? That would be less invasive then a resection.

     

  • KayeKay
    KayeKay Member Posts: 122
    #6
    im having my 2nd liver

    im having my 2nd liver resection on the 12th. Mine came back just in my liver too. This is actually a good thing when resection is an option. again. i hope all goes well and if u ever have any ?s or just wanna talk im here:)

  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #7
    KayeKay said:

    im having my 2nd liver

    im having my 2nd liver resection on the 12th. Mine came back just in my liver too. This is actually a good thing when resection is an option. again. i hope all goes well and if u ever have any ?s or just wanna talk im here:)

    Same here KayeKay but I am a

    Same here KayeKay but I am a night owl...I can't lull my mind to sleep most nights. But if you find yourself pecking around late at night, look for me. :)

     

  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    #8
    Brenda Bricco said:

    Same here KayeKay but I am a

    Same here KayeKay but I am a night owl...I can't lull my mind to sleep most nights. But if you find yourself pecking around late at night, look for me. :)

     

    Brenda

    Just hate that you guys are on the front line again. So hard to outrun this krap.

    JBG had a resection and a few months later she had a microwave ablation, which may be the same as RFA, just different terminology. It was a walk in the park compared to the resection.

    Sounds like your Madison team is right there waiting to fight for you.

    Best of luck with your options. I know you are a person of strong faith. As Bruce says "Never Ever Give Up."

    Luv,

    Wolfen

     

  • AveriRN
    AveriRN Member Posts: 61
    #9

    Hi and so sorry to hear your news. Dx'd at 32, stg iv with liver mets 9+ yrs ago. After initial colon resection, had 2 tumors 1 on each side of liver resulting in 50% of liver removed. NED for 13 mos and 2 tumors back in liver, 1 each side, so 50% resected again. They attempted to place HAI pump but were unsuccessful leading me back to chemo regimine. That was Feb '06 and I have not had any issues with liver since that time so know that this hurdle can be overcome. Sending well wishes for hubby and u tht this next step will absolutely take care of it. 

    Sincerely,

    Averi

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #10
    First of all I am glad that

    First of all I am glad that you have faith. I have had 3 liver resections. The first 2 were wedge sections on the right lobe. They took 75% of my liver the third time. All of the right lobe and part of the left. I have been NED for 14 months since the last surgery.

  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #11
    Brenda

    I'm so sorry to hear your news.  The 5cm is quite large.  1.5 cm is slightly smaller than a dime. 

    It seems odd that there would be such a large tumor so quickly after resection, and especially since his PET was clean in November.  I would assume, like others have mentioned, that this tumor is from the area where they had to stretch (near the portal vein) to be able to cut as much as they did.  Sounds like they didn't get clear margins.

    Another resection with an HAI pump sounds like a good option in my limited knowlege.  Here's a link on 2nd resections.  Smaller than 3 cm, longer time to recurrence, colon vs rectal all have better outcomes than their alternatives but this will bring you hope!

    Two-Stage Resection and Improved Chemotherapy Regimens Lengthen Survival for Patients with Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer 

     

    I know you're a woman of Faith but I also know the whispers of the enemy.  Listen to your heart. Turn to scripture for comfort.  It's in HIS hands! He's got this! 

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #12
    Im sorry you didnt get the
    Im sorry you didnt get the good scan we all wanted for you guys...i will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #13
    I'm sorry the news wasn't better.

    but thank goodness he still has options.  I have seen other people with liver involvement who had to go through several procedures to get to NED long-term.  I personally have had to go through five surgeries, with recurrences each time,  to get to stay in NED-land for a while, so hopefully this will just mean another challenge that he can meet and overcome.  Hugs to you both~AA

    PS  I woud consider adding in cimetidine if he does any more surgery, if you haven't already done so.  One of those "can't hurt, might help" things.

  • janie1
    janie1 Member Posts: 753 Member
    #14
    annalexandria said:

    I'm sorry the news wasn't better.

    but thank goodness he still has options.  I have seen other people with liver involvement who had to go through several procedures to get to NED long-term.  I personally have had to go through five surgeries, with recurrences each time,  to get to stay in NED-land for a while, so hopefully this will just mean another challenge that he can meet and overcome.  Hugs to you both~AA

    PS  I woud consider adding in cimetidine if he does any more surgery, if you haven't already done so.  One of those "can't hurt, might help" things.

    Brenda, as you can see, many
    Brenda, as you can see, many people have more than one liver surgery, so it's not uncommon and hopefully Dennis will get to NED.

    I am curious if you had a sly doctor like my surgeon, who did not get clear margins, and did not tell me. What he did say (to talk around it) was that he got "everything he could SEE". Oh, and I fell for it.

    If you want to, check out the pathology report from his surgery.

    I assume all places do this....but I'm not positive. If they get "clear margins", it will be written in the pathology report......if not.....then nothing is said. It won't say "unclear" or "not clear" margins......it just won't say anything about margins.

    Also, it sounds like the lowest cea Dennis had since surgery was 9......so that may mean that they did not get clear margins. They just didn't tell you.
    Just doesn't sound like he was ever really NED. It just was too small to show up on scan right after surgery. That's why now I would ask about clear margins and then I would feel better knowing that the chances are better with that, then waiting until something shows up on a scan.

    I hope the surgeon/onc was honest with you, but mine wasn't and that really breaks the trust. And I went to the #1 hospital.....HA....the joke was on me.
    I will never get over that.

    I just want you to know this in case he does have another surgery. You will want to ask these questions.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #15
    Scan

    Sorry your hubby and you didn't get better news on the scan.  Hoping that your new plan will reduce them.  I've been away from the boards, but have been thinking about you both.

    Kim

  • alexinlv
    alexinlv Member Posts: 194 Member
    #16
    So sorry, Brenda!

    i think our husbands are facing the same battle again at the same time as before. tony has a 4.6 cm recurrance in the liver.  has also has a spot in his lung.  Oh boy, what a ride  we went to radiologist early his week who said resection is the best bet and he wouldn't do RFA based on the location of the liver tumor.  Il will be keeping you both in my prayers.  

  • tina dasilva
    tina dasilva Member Posts: 641
    #17
    sorry

    Brenda im so sorry to hear about your news about your husband hugs Tina

  • tina dasilva
    tina dasilva Member Posts: 641
    #18
    sorry

    Brenda im so sorry to hear about your news about your husband hugs Tina

  • sdp
    sdp Member Posts: 181
    #19
    Elevated cancer markers ...

    Brenda,

    i am facing a similar situation it seems. Cancer markers show elevated levels And I will soon be doing a pet-ct. look at my recent post under " rfa to Tumor ...." 

    That explains the situation I am in. Will have a better ideas a few days after I get the scans done. 

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