TxN0M0 PET Scan Report

JReed
JReed Member Posts: 428
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Don received a copy of the PET scan report today and it said the stage appears to be TxN0M0. Having EUS on Friday - we are thinking the 'x' will be filled in at that time. Pretty sure the N0M0 is good.

Am I correct in thinking that the 'x' number will be determined by the EUS?

Thank you all so much,
Judy

P.S. Liquid and soft food diet appears to include Budlight - LOL - gotta give him break sometime right? Treatment has not started yet - so I think one or two won't hurt.
«1

Comments

  • Freida
    Freida Member Posts: 182
    #2
    Judy
    based on my admittedly
    Judy
    based on my admittedly extremely limited knowledge, the N0M0 part does sound like good news. No activity in the lymph nodes and no metastasis elsewhere - I am so happy for you. When is the EUS? (Bill is supposed to have one next week, but they have not told us when.)

    Freida
  • jss2011
    jss2011 Member Posts: 132
    #3
    Freida said:

    Judy
    based on my admittedly
    Judy
    based on my admittedly extremely limited knowledge, the N0M0 part does sound like good news. No activity in the lymph nodes and no metastasis elsewhere - I am so happy for you. When is the EUS? (Bill is supposed to have one next week, but they have not told us when.)

    Freida

    good news
    Yes Judy, that is wonderful news! Sounds like stage I or stage II since N is 0, so you caught it early.

    Julie
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #4
    Freida said:

    Judy
    based on my admittedly
    Judy
    based on my admittedly extremely limited knowledge, the N0M0 part does sound like good news. No activity in the lymph nodes and no metastasis elsewhere - I am so happy for you. When is the EUS? (Bill is supposed to have one next week, but they have not told us when.)

    Freida

    EUS
    Don's EUS will done this Friday. I was thinking the same as you. We do know that the tumor is 8 cm - which to me doesn't sound small, but the N0M0 sounds better - I don't know if the EUS will change either of those, but I don't think so?

    How are you and Bill doing down there? How is Bill holding up? How are you holding up?

    Hugs
    Judy
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #5
    jss2011 said:

    good news
    Yes Judy, that is wonderful news! Sounds like stage I or stage II since N is 0, so you caught it early.

    Julie

    good news
    Hi Julie:

    I am so hoping it was caught early - the only thing I wonder about is that the tumor is at least 8 cm (i.e.; 3.14") and that doesn't sound too small to me. Also the GE junction could be involved - again, assuming the EUS will complete this picture?

    Thanks for replying - we are so praying that this was caught early.

    Judy
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #6
    You are correct the EUS will fill in the Tx
    Judy,

    It sounds like you got some good news from the PET scan. You are correct the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) will validate the nodal involvement (N) portion of the staging; and confirm the tumor penetration (T) portion of the staging. The nice things about and endoscopic exam is that, Don will sleep through the procedure, and you typically get the results right after the test is completed.

    Don will be given a mild sedative prior to the procedure and he may be a bit groggy after; so you will have to take notes for him when the doctor comes in to review the findings.

    Here is a description of the staging for EC:

    Esophageal Cancer Staging

    Here is an overview of the EUS procedure:

    Endoscopic UltraSound Procedure

    I will be praying that Don gets good news.


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • jss2011
    jss2011 Member Posts: 132
    #7
    paul61 said:

    You are correct the EUS will fill in the Tx
    Judy,

    It sounds like you got some good news from the PET scan. You are correct the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) will validate the nodal involvement (N) portion of the staging; and confirm the tumor penetration (T) portion of the staging. The nice things about and endoscopic exam is that, Don will sleep through the procedure, and you typically get the results right after the test is completed.

    Don will be given a mild sedative prior to the procedure and he may be a bit groggy after; so you will have to take notes for him when the doctor comes in to review the findings.

    Here is a description of the staging for EC:

    Esophageal Cancer Staging

    Here is an overview of the EUS procedure:

    Endoscopic UltraSound Procedure

    I will be praying that Don gets good news.


    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
    8 cm
    Hi Judy,
    yes 8 cm sounds large, but the tumor may be "long" as my hubby's surgeon found. He is T2N2M0, which makes him Stage III. After 4 rounds of chemo it is now only at the junction.
    You guys are alot better having no lymph involvement.

    Julie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #8
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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #9
    unknown said:

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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #10
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    EUS should tell the story
    Hi William

    Thank you and Loretta - your words of wisdom, sound advice and experience are so comforting. I know I can count on each of you and thank you very much.

    We are particularly pleased with the M0, and hopefully the N0 will stay the same, the Tx is worrisome, but in less than 24 hrs. we will know. The unknown is always the hardest. He passed the stress test today just fine - so he does have clearance if and when surgery can be done and we are very hopeful and encouraged at this point.

    RE: stick around to give hope and guidance to others - you can count on it - this site has been a true Godsend to us and it would be helpful to others to have a place (thanks to you) that they can come to for knowledge, references, advice and experience. I certainly appreciate all of you pioneers for continuing to help us all on here.

    Thank you again for your continued prayers for all of us - you are definately in my prayers every night when I thank God for what He continues to provide us.

    Hope all went well today for you and Loretta - I know you had a very busy day.

    Hugs,
    Judy
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Taking too long for staging
    Sherri

    You are right - it seems to be taking a long time - it didn't help at all that the diagnosis was given on Monday of Thanksgiving week - we basically lost that whole week and discontinued the services of the gastroentrologist. But last week, I contacted our primary care doctor and he and his staff spent hours on the phone setting up appointments and obtaining referrals for all of the specialists. This week has been one test after another - tomorrow is the EUS which will likely be the final test to stage this.

    When you are given the EC diagnosis and investigate what that it is - you know that time is of the essence so it seems like everything is in slow motion. The doctors are wonderful, and their staff can really make things happen - we are fortunate to have one of the best, truly caring primary doctors in our area.

    I can tell you've been there, done that and I appreciate your concern. We will let everyone know, of course, what the stage is as soon as we can.

    Judy
  • Cora11
    Cora11 Member Posts: 173
    #12
    JReed said:

    EUS should tell the story
    Hi William

    Thank you and Loretta - your words of wisdom, sound advice and experience are so comforting. I know I can count on each of you and thank you very much.

    We are particularly pleased with the M0, and hopefully the N0 will stay the same, the Tx is worrisome, but in less than 24 hrs. we will know. The unknown is always the hardest. He passed the stress test today just fine - so he does have clearance if and when surgery can be done and we are very hopeful and encouraged at this point.

    RE: stick around to give hope and guidance to others - you can count on it - this site has been a true Godsend to us and it would be helpful to others to have a place (thanks to you) that they can come to for knowledge, references, advice and experience. I certainly appreciate all of you pioneers for continuing to help us all on here.

    Thank you again for your continued prayers for all of us - you are definately in my prayers every night when I thank God for what He continues to provide us.

    Hope all went well today for you and Loretta - I know you had a very busy day.

    Hugs,
    Judy

    Hi Judy,
    Wishing you both the best tomorrow. Keith was a T2 N0 M0 and as you know he did chemo/rads/surgery. I just want you to know that in terms of the NCI guidelines, T2 in some academic circles is considered a "tweener" meaning some might not recommend treatment before surgery like they do in the T1 stage. So, I just wanted you to know that so you can ask questions how they decide who does chemo rads at this stage. I know with Keith and his age 52 they were maximally aggressive. I haven't heard of anyone who did not get treatment at stage 2, but I no it is definitely discussed. Will be thinking of you both, hope you get some rest,
    Cora

    p.s. any chance you two ride Harley's ? I just noticed your gear and I live in Wisconsin, Harley land you know! Also looks like you are in Utah somewhere in that gorgeous photo.. Curious to know more..
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #13
    JReed said:

    EUS should tell the story
    Hi William

    Thank you and Loretta - your words of wisdom, sound advice and experience are so comforting. I know I can count on each of you and thank you very much.

    We are particularly pleased with the M0, and hopefully the N0 will stay the same, the Tx is worrisome, but in less than 24 hrs. we will know. The unknown is always the hardest. He passed the stress test today just fine - so he does have clearance if and when surgery can be done and we are very hopeful and encouraged at this point.

    RE: stick around to give hope and guidance to others - you can count on it - this site has been a true Godsend to us and it would be helpful to others to have a place (thanks to you) that they can come to for knowledge, references, advice and experience. I certainly appreciate all of you pioneers for continuing to help us all on here.

    Thank you again for your continued prayers for all of us - you are definately in my prayers every night when I thank God for what He continues to provide us.

    Hope all went well today for you and Loretta - I know you had a very busy day.

    Hugs,
    Judy

    Positive thoughts and prayers are with you both tomorrow!
    Judy,

    Hopes and prayers are for a "good" T! I recall how miserable the waiting was between tests and it seemed even longer before treatment began.

    Please update us as soon as you both can "breath" again after tomorrow's test. I say that because each round of testing took our breath away. It seems like everything with EC takes your breath - for a minute or two anyway.

    Love & Hugs!

    Terry
    Wife to Nick, age 48
    dx T3N1M0 05/19/11
    THE 09/08/11
    Clean Path 09/13/11
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #14
    Cora11 said:

    Hi Judy,
    Wishing you both the best tomorrow. Keith was a T2 N0 M0 and as you know he did chemo/rads/surgery. I just want you to know that in terms of the NCI guidelines, T2 in some academic circles is considered a "tweener" meaning some might not recommend treatment before surgery like they do in the T1 stage. So, I just wanted you to know that so you can ask questions how they decide who does chemo rads at this stage. I know with Keith and his age 52 they were maximally aggressive. I haven't heard of anyone who did not get treatment at stage 2, but I no it is definitely discussed. Will be thinking of you both, hope you get some rest,
    Cora

    p.s. any chance you two ride Harley's ? I just noticed your gear and I live in Wisconsin, Harley land you know! Also looks like you are in Utah somewhere in that gorgeous photo.. Curious to know more..

    We do ride Harleys!
    Hi Cora:

    Yes we do ride - our profile picture was taken in Valley of Fire in Las Vegas (which Chantal and Lee were married there!) Don rides a dyna wideglide and I ride a Sportster 883.

    I have never been to Milwaukee but love to go there sometime and tour around.

    Today, Don was staged via EUS - Stage IIIa T3N1M0 - so battle gear ready - going in Tuesday to get the suggested plan of action. Hubby is so tired right now, but we'll be talking over the weekend - I'd like to get a 'feel' for what he's thinking.

    Thank you so much for your comforting words and thoughts and prayers.

    Judy
  • JReed
    JReed Member Posts: 428
    #15
    TerryV said:

    Positive thoughts and prayers are with you both tomorrow!
    Judy,

    Hopes and prayers are for a "good" T! I recall how miserable the waiting was between tests and it seemed even longer before treatment began.

    Please update us as soon as you both can "breath" again after tomorrow's test. I say that because each round of testing took our breath away. It seems like everything with EC takes your breath - for a minute or two anyway.

    Love & Hugs!

    Terry
    Wife to Nick, age 48
    dx T3N1M0 05/19/11
    THE 09/08/11
    Clean Path 09/13/11

    Thank you for the prayers and hugs!
    Hi Terry

    Looks like we are in the same boat - T3N1M0 - Don had the EUS today - we are just getting home from Ann Arbor, MI (Univ. of Mich).

    Lacing up my boxing gloves, got my big girl panties on - bringing our A game to this one. We will see another doctor on Tuesday who will give us his idea of a game plan - it better be a good one!

    Thank you so much for the Love & Hugs and prayers and chatting with me.

    Appreciate all of you so much,

    Judy
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #16
    JReed said:

    We do ride Harleys!
    Hi Cora:

    Yes we do ride - our profile picture was taken in Valley of Fire in Las Vegas (which Chantal and Lee were married there!) Don rides a dyna wideglide and I ride a Sportster 883.

    I have never been to Milwaukee but love to go there sometime and tour around.

    Today, Don was staged via EUS - Stage IIIa T3N1M0 - so battle gear ready - going in Tuesday to get the suggested plan of action. Hubby is so tired right now, but we'll be talking over the weekend - I'd like to get a 'feel' for what he's thinking.

    Thank you so much for your comforting words and thoughts and prayers.

    Judy

    HOORAY! for a Stage III diagnosis
    Judy,

    I am SO glad for you that Don is a surgery candidate. Get going on the treatments and get into surgery. William is a gem when it comes to evaluating surgeons, so let him know your location and cancer center and he will help you make the right choice.

    Congratulations! I'm so glad for you both!

    Love & Hugs!

    Terry
  • Freida
    Freida Member Posts: 182
    #17
    JReed said:

    Thank you for the prayers and hugs!
    Hi Terry

    Looks like we are in the same boat - T3N1M0 - Don had the EUS today - we are just getting home from Ann Arbor, MI (Univ. of Mich).

    Lacing up my boxing gloves, got my big girl panties on - bringing our A game to this one. We will see another doctor on Tuesday who will give us his idea of a game plan - it better be a good one!

    Thank you so much for the Love & Hugs and prayers and chatting with me.

    Appreciate all of you so much,

    Judy

    Hi Judy
    So the EUS can show
    Hi Judy
    So the EUS can show lymph node where the PET does not? I had not realized that. (Or maybe I had and am so tired I have forgotten - why is waiting around for hours and hours and hours so tiring?). Bill will have his EUS on tuesday.

    I'm sorry to hear that the N0 became an N1, but I'm so glad you are an early enough stage for the possibility of surgery. Keep us up to date with the treatment plan.

    Did Don get PICC line yes. Bill had one put in tuesday. I had to go to 2 classes to learn how to flush the 2 lines, change the caps, and change the dressings using sterile techniques. I imagine you will have to do the same, so i thought I would let you know it is not as intimidating as it first appears. The most difficult part was getting the darn cloves. Today I passed my test so we were given 2 very large bags full of supplies. I was quite irritated to discover that insurance does not cover the heparin. It's not horrendously expensive, but it seems ridiculous to me.

    Good luck with your consultations next week.
    Hugs
    Freida
  • Freida
    Freida Member Posts: 182
    #18
    Freida said:

    Hi Judy
    So the EUS can show
    Hi Judy
    So the EUS can show lymph node where the PET does not? I had not realized that. (Or maybe I had and am so tired I have forgotten - why is waiting around for hours and hours and hours so tiring?). Bill will have his EUS on tuesday.

    I'm sorry to hear that the N0 became an N1, but I'm so glad you are an early enough stage for the possibility of surgery. Keep us up to date with the treatment plan.

    Did Don get PICC line yes. Bill had one put in tuesday. I had to go to 2 classes to learn how to flush the 2 lines, change the caps, and change the dressings using sterile techniques. I imagine you will have to do the same, so i thought I would let you know it is not as intimidating as it first appears. The most difficult part was getting the darn cloves. Today I passed my test so we were given 2 very large bags full of supplies. I was quite irritated to discover that insurance does not cover the heparin. It's not horrendously expensive, but it seems ridiculous to me.

    Good luck with your consultations next week.
    Hugs
    Freida

    Sorry if that seems a bit
    Sorry if that seems a bit rambly - we have gone to MDA 4 days in a row, yesterday we were there from 8 a.m. to 9.40 p.m. then had to get up at 5.30 to go back this morning and were there till 4.30. We are both kind of punch drunk right now.
  • Cora11
    Cora11 Member Posts: 173
    #19
    Freida said:

    Sorry if that seems a bit
    Sorry if that seems a bit rambly - we have gone to MDA 4 days in a row, yesterday we were there from 8 a.m. to 9.40 p.m. then had to get up at 5.30 to go back this morning and were there till 4.30. We are both kind of punch drunk right now.

    Dear Judy and Frieda
    Judy, so relieved that you have the answers and that you can get on with treatment now. And, please don't fear the delays.. they truly are not going to many ANY difference other than they make us stressed out. I remember our doctors saying how important it is to get everything just right prior to treatment initiation. So now the radiation plan can take about a week so be prepared for that. Frieda, what I learned is that 30% chance of PET scan's/CT's not showing a node and then sometimes it gets revealed in the EUS.

    Peace and comfort to all of you,
    Cora
  • Freida
    Freida Member Posts: 182
    #20
    Cora11 said:

    Dear Judy and Frieda
    Judy, so relieved that you have the answers and that you can get on with treatment now. And, please don't fear the delays.. they truly are not going to many ANY difference other than they make us stressed out. I remember our doctors saying how important it is to get everything just right prior to treatment initiation. So now the radiation plan can take about a week so be prepared for that. Frieda, what I learned is that 30% chance of PET scan's/CT's not showing a node and then sometimes it gets revealed in the EUS.

    Peace and comfort to all of you,
    Cora

    Than you Cora. Bill's PET
    Than you Cora. Bill's PET scan showed 1 node involved - I guess I am guilty of some magical thinking and was hoping the EUS would say the PET was wrong and there is no lymph node involvement .

    Judy - there are no "cloves " involved with the PICC line and sterile field procedure. My difficulty was with getting "Gloves" on.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #21
    Freida said:

    Than you Cora. Bill's PET
    Than you Cora. Bill's PET scan showed 1 node involved - I guess I am guilty of some magical thinking and was hoping the EUS would say the PET was wrong and there is no lymph node involvement .

    Judy - there are no "cloves " involved with the PICC line and sterile field procedure. My difficulty was with getting "Gloves" on.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

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