CT results

undertreatment2012
undertreatment2012 Member Posts: 126
in Ovarian Cancer #1
I am not a nurse but I have been a medical assistant for 25 years. I have given patient results and know a little bit about terminology of reports and so forth. I asked for a copy of my first CT, that was done before first chemo. They said "No obvious tumor" which is good. But a concern is it also said "shotty nodes in the mesentery", the area behind my bowel. I discussed this with him and he said, BUT WE ARE GETTING YOU IN CHEMO. I said yes, but what does this mean?? My lymph biopsies were clear, but this says nodes so I was trying to find out, do I have positive nodes in the mesentery? Again, no real answer, and maybe there is'nt an answer. Anybody else have this? I am thinking it is probably a reaction to the surgery. My lymph nodes trying to heal my body.

Comments

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #2
    shotty nodes
    Shotty nodes usually mean small nodes that lie in a cluster and slightly enlarged. We usually see these when the body is responding to an infection or virus. So that is probably what they are. There is no way to know if they are positive for cancer without a biopsy. And your doctor is right...you are in chemo now so that is to kill off any microscopic cancer.
  • carolenk
    carolenk Member Posts: 907 Member
    #3
    kimberly sue 63 said:

    shotty nodes
    Shotty nodes usually mean small nodes that lie in a cluster and slightly enlarged. We usually see these when the body is responding to an infection or virus. So that is probably what they are. There is no way to know if they are positive for cancer without a biopsy. And your doctor is right...you are in chemo now so that is to kill off any microscopic cancer.

    Shotty nodes
    The reason the term "shotty" is used is because the lymph nodes are the size of buckshot--it's a commonly used term as Kimberly already explained.

    I think the radiologist was being very thorough on the report--another radiologist may not have even remarked on those nodes. If the nodes appeared to be malignant, it's unlikely that they would have been so uniform in their size. Sometimes, the lymph nodes never 100% return to normal after they have been inflamed.

    I think you are the kind of person who "leaves no stone unturned" and at some point you will come to the realization that you will have to learn to live with a LOT of unanswered questions. I am still learning that myself.

    My sister told me that I should tell myself "I know whatever I REALLY NEED to know at this time." Sometimes, it is probably better for me NOT to know all the details--especially when there isn't anything that can be done regarding treatment.

    Just wondering if you are going ahead with genetic testing. I think insurance covers it for OVCA survivors. I did genetic testing & found out I had a mutation of "unknown significance" on BRCA-2. Sigh...
  • undertreatment2012
    undertreatment2012 Member Posts: 126
    #4
    carolenk said:

    Shotty nodes
    The reason the term "shotty" is used is because the lymph nodes are the size of buckshot--it's a commonly used term as Kimberly already explained.

    I think the radiologist was being very thorough on the report--another radiologist may not have even remarked on those nodes. If the nodes appeared to be malignant, it's unlikely that they would have been so uniform in their size. Sometimes, the lymph nodes never 100% return to normal after they have been inflamed.

    I think you are the kind of person who "leaves no stone unturned" and at some point you will come to the realization that you will have to learn to live with a LOT of unanswered questions. I am still learning that myself.

    My sister told me that I should tell myself "I know whatever I REALLY NEED to know at this time." Sometimes, it is probably better for me NOT to know all the details--especially when there isn't anything that can be done regarding treatment.

    Just wondering if you are going ahead with genetic testing. I think insurance covers it for OVCA survivors. I did genetic testing & found out I had a mutation of "unknown significance" on BRCA-2. Sigh...

    nodes
    you are right, I have a ka-jillion questions and get no answers. I am learning to accept that. There just are not any answers sometimes and your sister is right. The reason for my panic attacks I believe is because I have no control or answers over anything in my life right now. As far as the genetic testing, that is on my discussion list for when I see the Onc on May 1st. I'm sorry you found out what you did. One of my other friends did too. Now her kids are getting tested. I have a daughter and a niece I am concerned about. Both have me and then on their "other" side of the family there is cancer. I know that does not apply to me, but for their sakes I need to find out from my side of the fence. My daughter has already been a victim of melanoma, very concerning.

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