December PET Shows METS
Ed_PortOrange
Member Posts: 110
Blessings all,
Just thought I'd make a rare post and share my current status. Back in early December I shared that I had a small intestine blockage that resulted in a tumor removal that was positive for SCC. Just before Christmas I had a PET done which they compared to the last one done in Sept 2011. I elected not get the results until I returned hope from visiting with family over the holidays. This last PET showed "intense uptake within nodular densities in the left upper lobe suspicious for malignancy" Surprisingly my right lung lower node which previously had some suspicious ground glass was now clear. Also there were levels of uptake in my liver, with moderate uptake in an area called segment 4. On a positive note "there is no abnormal uptake in the patients neck".
Went to see my Head & Neck specialist and with his recommendation I was referred to a local oncologist. Round 2 of my battle against cancer started this Monday as I was infused with carboplatin (first time) and erbitux (six weeks during intial radiation & chemo in Jan.2010). Our new game plan is to do an 18 week regiment, erbitux once a week and carboplatin every 3rd week.
No side effects as of yet, I know of erbitux and some moderate effects 6 weekly sessions had previously. Hard to evaluate effects from the drug when it's give in conjunction with 36 daily radiation treatments.
Any heads up on what to expect from this next level of treatment would greatly be appreciated.
Good health & positive attitudes to all,
Ed
Just thought I'd make a rare post and share my current status. Back in early December I shared that I had a small intestine blockage that resulted in a tumor removal that was positive for SCC. Just before Christmas I had a PET done which they compared to the last one done in Sept 2011. I elected not get the results until I returned hope from visiting with family over the holidays. This last PET showed "intense uptake within nodular densities in the left upper lobe suspicious for malignancy" Surprisingly my right lung lower node which previously had some suspicious ground glass was now clear. Also there were levels of uptake in my liver, with moderate uptake in an area called segment 4. On a positive note "there is no abnormal uptake in the patients neck".
Went to see my Head & Neck specialist and with his recommendation I was referred to a local oncologist. Round 2 of my battle against cancer started this Monday as I was infused with carboplatin (first time) and erbitux (six weeks during intial radiation & chemo in Jan.2010). Our new game plan is to do an 18 week regiment, erbitux once a week and carboplatin every 3rd week.
No side effects as of yet, I know of erbitux and some moderate effects 6 weekly sessions had previously. Hard to evaluate effects from the drug when it's give in conjunction with 36 daily radiation treatments.
Any heads up on what to expect from this next level of treatment would greatly be appreciated.
Good health & positive attitudes to all,
Ed
0
Comments
-
Hi Ed
I'm sorry to hear of this development. I've recently been on q 3 week carboplatin, and am still on Erbitux, having received it for about 10 weeks now.
I did get some nausea on carboplatin, well more like queasy stomach and loss of apetite. It seemed to start about 4 days after treatment and lasted a little longer each treatment. I ate everything in sight when I didn't have the stomach problem, and managed to gain a substantial amount of weight while on the drug. I didn't have any drop in my blood counts, although that is a pretty frequent problem on this drug.
The erbitux generally is pretty easy on a person. I have been more reactive than most on this drug, and it has made my face pretty uncomfortable (about a month of this) and now my feet are bugging me. But that's a pretty tolerable result.
The good news is, while on these drugs, I had a complete response. My cancer is no longer even visible on PET scanning. Hoping you too get this kind of relief.
Best to you.
Pat0 -
Thanks Patlongtermsurvivor said:Hi Ed
I'm sorry to hear of this development. I've recently been on q 3 week carboplatin, and am still on Erbitux, having received it for about 10 weeks now.
I did get some nausea on carboplatin, well more like queasy stomach and loss of apetite. It seemed to start about 4 days after treatment and lasted a little longer each treatment. I ate everything in sight when I didn't have the stomach problem, and managed to gain a substantial amount of weight while on the drug. I didn't have any drop in my blood counts, although that is a pretty frequent problem on this drug.
The erbitux generally is pretty easy on a person. I have been more reactive than most on this drug, and it has made my face pretty uncomfortable (about a month of this) and now my feet are bugging me. But that's a pretty tolerable result.
The good news is, while on these drugs, I had a complete response. My cancer is no longer even visible on PET scanning. Hoping you too get this kind of relief.
Best to you.
Pat
Glad to hear your good news on your latest scan. I did feel a little queasy the first night and took a pill for nausea which helped. Since then, 2 days ago everything has been normal altough I'm concerned that I might be getting constipated. I'll double up on the prune juice today.
Feel better my friend,
Ed0 -
Hang in there EDEd_PortOrange said:Thanks Pat
Glad to hear your good news on your latest scan. I did feel a little queasy the first night and took a pill for nausea which helped. Since then, 2 days ago everything has been normal altough I'm concerned that I might be getting constipated. I'll double up on the prune juice today.
Feel better my friend,
Ed
My scans have been suspicious from day one for lung spots and are currently at bay as it appears they were there before my diagnosis. Sorry to hear of your latest development and wishing you success with your new treatment regime.0 -
Carboplatin
Hi Ed,
So very sorry to hear the Dx wasn't better, but you're a fighter and can kick butt.
I initially had the nine weeks (three week cycles) of Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU. But for the second half of my treatment, I had seven weeks of concurrent chemo/rads.
Seven weekly doses of Carboplatin and the 35 daily rads.
For me, I didn't have any ill effects from the Carboplatin... I was only prescribed Phenergan and or Zofran for the possibility of nausea.
So hopefully it won't have any ill effects on you either.
Best and hang tough brother.
John0 -
Hi Ed
Sorry to hear you are facing another battle. Dad is currently taking carboplatin now for a reoccurance of his tongue cancer. He has had some little issues with feeling nausesa. He said it is more like a sour taste and feel. He takes one of his nausea pills and it is taken care of. He has had issue with low blood counts. A couple of time they have not given him the carbo, but they have never been really low. He has had really good results with this chemo.
Good luck and let us know how you do.
Hugs,
Kathy0 -
Sounds familiar
My husband, Andy, did the carboplatin/erbitux regimen for his metastasis. The side effects were very tolerable...especially compared to what you guys have already been through! Erbitux causes an acne-like rash that was treated with an antibiotic topical lotion. Very, very mild nausea for a day or two from the carboplatin. Some fatigue but was still in the process of healing from original surgery and treatment so hard to determine the main reason..
Best, best wishes! You can do it! Keep up the fight! We are in a clinical trial now and starting to see some good response!0 -
Hi Ed
It’s very hard when you have to do it allover again but with your faith you will make it through. I know when I was told my cancer was back not twice but three times, I sometimes wondered what God was doing. It is only now that I can see the blessing he was giving me as it made me grow so much closer to him everyday. Keeping you in my prayers my friend
Hondo0 -
Good Health & Positive Attitude.
Just sending good thoughts and healing vibes your way.0 -
best wishesPam M said:I'm with Pat
Hoping you get results like longtermsurvivor.
Ed sorry to hear the latest news, but you can do this.... anyone who has been thru this crap once is certainly a warrior and can go to battle again. I am sending you positive thoughts and hoping for the best possible outcome for you and your wife. You will be in my prayers going forward.0 -
I will be praying for you..Ingrid K said:best wishes
Ed sorry to hear the latest news, but you can do this.... anyone who has been thru this crap once is certainly a warrior and can go to battle again. I am sending you positive thoughts and hoping for the best possible outcome for you and your wife. You will be in my prayers going forward.
I will be praying for you..0 -
So sorry Ed
So sorry Ed that the results weren't better. I'm fighting cancer again for the second time and just finished chemo three weeks ago. I was on Carboplatin/Taxol so I really can't tell you what to expect from the carbo because I don't know which drug caused my side effects. I have neuropathy now but I believe that is from the taxol. I had an occasional queasy stomach and mild constipation but the anti-nausea pills and Dulcolax took care of those.
I will be praying for excellent results for you as you fight this monster again.
Stay strong,
Glenna0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.8K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 309 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 397 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.4K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 792 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 237 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 61 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 539 Sarcoma
- 730 Skin Cancer
- 653 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards