Hoping someone out there can answer questions

bdee

When I received my written PET and CT results there are a couple of things the doctor didn't mention, but are troubling me.

This is the PET report that I have a question about:

I have a subcutaneous collection right paramidline location at the level of the pelvis with a measurement of 4.3 x 1.8 cm up from 3.0 x 1.2 cm in July. However, primary neoplastic process was mucinous tumor and mucinous tumors may not show significant elevation in metabolic activity. This could represent herniated portion of otherwise stable abnormal soft tissue masses of the omentum. If biopsy were desired, this collection would be amenable to biopsy evaluation.

DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE A HERNIA HERE OR IS THE MUCOUS TUMOR COMING BACK? WHEN THIS MUCOUS TUMOR STARTED IN LATE DECEMBER IT MEASURED 20 X 25 CM, WHEN I WAS OPERATED ON IN JANUARY IS HAD GROWN TO 30X36 CM.

My doctor informed me at my last appointment that I could not have another operation. Would a biopsy have to be an operation?

I hope I've made myself clear on my question.

Thanks,
Debbie

dianetavegia

No more surgery??
Debbie, did the doctor say why you could not have another operation? How many have you had?

I've not ever read a CT or PET scan results so that is all Greek to me, but it sounds like the radiologist is covering his butt with an 'I don't know for sure' remark.

I'd call and ask the doctor to explain not only what it means but why he feels one way or the other about the report. A biopsy might just be a needle, .... and ease your mind!

Meanwhile, I'll pray about this for you tonight.

Diane

John23

?
And you're not seeking a second opinion for what reason?

bdee

dianetavegia said:

No more surgery??
Debbie, did the doctor say why you could not have another operation? How many have you had?

I've not ever read a CT or PET scan results so that is all Greek to me, but it sounds like the radiologist is covering his butt with an 'I don't know for sure' remark.

I'd call and ask the doctor to explain not only what it means but why he feels one way or the other about the report. A biopsy might just be a needle, .... and ease your mind!

Meanwhile, I'll pray about this for you tonight.

Diane

No operation
I have multiple tumors throughout the abdomen. My doctor has three reasons for no more surgery. The multiple tumors will make it harder to heal, there is no way all the tumors can be operated on at the same time and another good reason I can't remember at the moment (Chemo brain).

I just got my report Friday, I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I will be asking him about all this. I was just hoping someone here would have an answer for me or another question I should ask the doctor.

Debbie

bdee

John23 said:

?
And you're not seeking a second opinion for what reason?

Second opinion
To get a second opinion on my kind of muscious cancer I would have to go out of state. With the state of our finances, it is not an option at this time.

Debbie

John23

bdee said:

Second opinion
To get a second opinion on my kind of muscious cancer I would have to go out of state. With the state of our finances, it is not an option at this time.

Debbie

My Opinion?
Are you saying that there are absolutely no other oncologists,
gastrointestinal specialists, or colorectal surgeons that can give
you a second opinion in your state?

I would not put my life in the hands of one person's opinion.
Doctors are human; they make mistakes and errors of judgement,
just as anyone else does. It should be imperative that you have
a second (and/or) third opinion(s).

I don't mean to sound argumentive or demeaning, but your life
is at stake. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of qualified specialists
throughout this Nation, in every city and suburb. Any one of them
is capable of providing insight regarding your situation.

I hope you can find your way to get other qualified opinions regarding
this. Seeking your only other "opinions" here, is not in your best interests.

I really would like to see you around a lot longer.

bunny62

John23 said:

My Opinion?
Are you saying that there are absolutely no other oncologists,
gastrointestinal specialists, or colorectal surgeons that can give
you a second opinion in your state?

I would not put my life in the hands of one person's opinion.
Doctors are human; they make mistakes and errors of judgement,
just as anyone else does. It should be imperative that you have
a second (and/or) third opinion(s).

I don't mean to sound argumentive or demeaning, but your life
is at stake. There are dozens (if not hundreds) of qualified specialists
throughout this Nation, in every city and suburb. Any one of them
is capable of providing insight regarding your situation.

I hope you can find your way to get other qualified opinions regarding
this. Seeking your only other "opinions" here, is not in your best interests.

I really would like to see you around a lot longer.

PET scan or CT scan
I agree press on with doctors if my original doctor would have listened to my complaints I really do not think I would be where I am. They are human and try. You can send a disk(DVD)of your tests and other paperwork to the Mayo clinic. You get a real person on the phone too. If you just show up there they will see you without an appt. You will get to see at least four or five docs. I call it bad Las Vegas ha ha. Lots of people, but no gaming tables. See if your current doc will send your stuff or like me do it yourself.

Buzzard

Definition:
The subcutaneous
Definition:
The subcutaneous tissue is the third of the three layers of skin. The subcutaneous layer contains fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and nerves. This layer is important is the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. The size of this layer varies throughout the body and from person to person.


Neoplastic process: pathological mechanisms and forms taken by tissue during degeneration into a neoplasm and its subsequent activity.


Mucinous tumors are part of the surface epithelial-stromal tumor group of ovarian neoplasms, and account for 12-15% of all ovarian tumors. Approximately 75% are benign, 10% are borderline and 15% are malignant. Rarely, the tumor is seen bilaterally, approximately 5% of primary mucinous tumors are bilateral.


Prognosis 10-year survival rates for mucinous tumors is excellent in the absence of invasion. In the case of borderline tumors confined to the ovary and malignant tumors without invasion, the survival rates are 90% or greater. In invasive mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, the survival is approximately 66%. But you have to remember these rates were determined in 2006, a lot has been discovered since then....


In my opinion the biopsy is a needle that is placed inside the tumor or growth and a specimen is pulled out from the inside of it to determine its composition. Its not to my knowledge considered an operation.



BDEE.......Please get on the internet and look up Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Institute and find a phone number on that website and call it. Then ask the questions that you want to know the answers to. Explain what your Dr has done and see if there are other things that can be done for you. I would think that there are other options here. There is a list of places that you possibly can get help from on here and also churches help, etc, but please do some contacting or emailing to them (cheaper than phone calls) and get some positive back in your life. There are other options and ways to get them accomplished. Never say never .....We're waiting to here some new good news .....PM me if you want some more help or particulars with things...Clift