Disappearing Cancer

Chicago23
Chicago23 Member Posts: 6
in Emotional Support #1

Anyone ever heard of cancer that disappears?

My dad just went to an oncologist for the first time after about 6 weeks of bouncing back and forth from urologist to gastroenterologist with an initial scan showing a mass on the stomach lining and one near/abutting the left kidney.  But kidney guy keeps pointing to the stomach saying the problem is there, stomach guy keeps pointing to kidney guy saying the problem is there.  They finally did a biopsy on the mass located on the stomach lining which came back positive for cancer cells.

So one would think-  ok that's a stomach thing--  But a new scan from the oncologist this week show's the mass on the stomach lining is no longer there! And he is referring it to the tumor board because it is so unusual.

Anyone ever heard of such a crazy thing?  How does a mass just disappear?

And I don't understand - I thought a biopsy was supposed to also tell you where the cancer cells are located?  Oncologist says he cannot reconcile where the GI Dr. conducted the scan that showed the cancer cells.  Shouldn't the report from the biopsy tell you location as well as malignant or benign?

Comments

  • GingerMay
    GingerMay Member Posts: 134
    #2
    Can't say

    Hmm - can't say that I've heard of that, but would certainly love to believe it could just disappear. This must be quite frustrating. I wonder if  oncologist has any next steps to help reconcile or get confirmation on findings?   

  • Chicago23
    Chicago23 Member Posts: 6
    edited December 2017 #3
    GingerMay said:

    Can't say

    Hmm - can't say that I've heard of that, but would certainly love to believe it could just disappear. This must be quite frustrating. I wonder if  oncologist has any next steps to help reconcile or get confirmation on findings?   

    He told dad to go back to the

    He told dad to go back to the urologist and GI Dr. Who did the biopsy & my dad told him they were hoping he could investigate and do that since he is the oncologist and he said he would lead dad's cancer team.  He and my sister made it clear they were not about to accept being bounced around AGAIN back & forth like ping pong.  I was so proud of my family for finally speaking up & fighting.

    so Oncologist said he will consult with those doctors then get back to dad. With a possibility of sending the case to the tumor board at the hospital.

    not only frustrating but it is just beyond me how there is so much confusion.

Discussion Boards