Primary Peritoneal Mesothelioma

bonnross

just received this result from the Kaiser oncologist regarding the PET Scan Results via email which does not explain anything in plain english such as the stage of the cancer.  The oncologist said the only 2 options for treatment are either a clinical trial recruiting advanced peritioneal malignant mesothelioma or undergoing chemotherapy treatment using 2 Chemo Drugs.  She did not include surgery as an option. Does this mean the cancer is probably stage III or IV?  Below is the PET Scan results copied from the oncologist email:

Below is the result of the PET/CT.
IMPRESSION
  
1. Extensive hypermetabolic soft tissue nodularity/masses in the
omentum and peritoneum, consistent with recent diagnosis of
peritoneal mesothelioma. Associated large volume ascites, which is
likely malignant, though without demonstrable increased FDG uptake.
2. A 9 mm right lung base pulmonary nodule without clear increase in
FDG uptake, but evaluation for this may be difficult secondary to
adjacent physiologic hepatic uptake. Lesion is indeterminate given
context, and attention on followup is recommended. Otherwise, no
evidence of extraabdominal hypermetabolic metastasis.

Can someone help me to decipher above?

Beautifullyheeled

While I cannot completely

While I cannot completely read your diagnosis, I can tell you that it is very rare and from what I am to understand, caused from exposure to asbestos or agent orange/ddt. My father was diagnosed almost a year ago with PPM and after chemo (4 rounds) he is now going for surgery, specifically HIPEC. I have never heard a 'stage' mentioned at any time either, we just know the rate of growth might possibly be slower than previously seen cases. They know so little about it and we were told flat-out that pretty much everything is experimental as this cancer specifically is hard to treat. Our decision for the HIPEC is that it gives him the best chance (post chemo) to not only physically remove what's visible, but also hopefully by giving a direct infusion, that it may retarded growth or obliterate what's left. We'll keep you in our prayers tonight. -Dee

bonnross

Beautifullyheeled said:

While I cannot completely

While I cannot completely read your diagnosis, I can tell you that it is very rare and from what I am to understand, caused from exposure to asbestos or agent orange/ddt. My father was diagnosed almost a year ago with PPM and after chemo (4 rounds) he is now going for surgery, specifically HIPEC. I have never heard a 'stage' mentioned at any time either, we just know the rate of growth might possibly be slower than previously seen cases. They know so little about it and we were told flat-out that pretty much everything is experimental as this cancer specifically is hard to treat. Our decision for the HIPEC is that it gives him the best chance (post chemo) to not only physically remove what's visible, but also hopefully by giving a direct infusion, that it may retarded growth or obliterate what's left. We'll keep you in our prayers tonight. -Dee

Dee thank you for your

Dee thank you for your response and prayers; it is actually my best friend with the cancer and I have moved in with him to help him out as he goes through this challenging time because his family is elderly and living on the other coast.  We are bringing the  Kaiser PET results and oncologist opinion regarding the treatment options  to Dr. Sugarbaker's office today for him to review and see if he still thinks that performing the cytoreduction surgery along with HIPEC is an option as he originally thought after reviewing the prior CT Scan results.  Crossing my fingers he thinks surgery is still an option instead of the alternatives the Kaiser oncologist is saying are the only options available (Cisplatin/Pemetrexid chemo or participating in the NCI sponsored Univ of MD Clinical Trial).  I will keep your father and family in my prayers that the surgery and HIPEC gives the knockout punches to the remaining cancer.