CT skan results not conclusive

Crazymom
Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
Hi Well I finished my radiation for SCC in the tonsil and three lymph nodes in March. I just went back for the CT Skan and was hoping to be cancer free. The tonsil appears to be cancer free, but one of the lymph nodes is 12mm and they do not want it to be more than 10 mm. The doctor said they were pleased with the results, but that additional testing/biopsy might have to be done. They said there is a good chance it could be swelling and for me to not get upset at this time. Has anyone ever had this? The tumors have not spread and all the other lymph nodes look ok. I am a bit depressed as I was hoping it would be over. I am afraid this is bad news, but the doctos did not seem that upset.

Thanks,

Ann

Comments

  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    In my non-professional
    In my non-professional opinion I don't think the CT scans by themselves are conclusive for scchn. My rad onc would tell you that you need a PET. 12mm is still pretty small most lymph nodes are between 5 and 10 mm. Some even larger. Did they bother to compare it to previous scans? I really hope you do not worry because I will bet some money that it is nothing. Think about it you just had rt, it is not likely that something would appear this early. I hate when docs plant a seed and say BUT don't worry.
    John
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    jtl said:

    In my non-professional
    In my non-professional opinion I don't think the CT scans by themselves are conclusive for scchn. My rad onc would tell you that you need a PET. 12mm is still pretty small most lymph nodes are between 5 and 10 mm. Some even larger. Did they bother to compare it to previous scans? I really hope you do not worry because I will bet some money that it is nothing. Think about it you just had rt, it is not likely that something would appear this early. I hate when docs plant a seed and say BUT don't worry.
    John

    inconclusive CT
    I am supposed to see the ENT surgeon on Wed. I saw the chemo doctor today. The ENT will tell me what we are going to do about the lymph node. They said probably a PET Scan, a biopsy and/or something else. They said that she will go over the options with me. Thanks for writing. Ann
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    jtl said:

    In my non-professional
    In my non-professional opinion I don't think the CT scans by themselves are conclusive for scchn. My rad onc would tell you that you need a PET. 12mm is still pretty small most lymph nodes are between 5 and 10 mm. Some even larger. Did they bother to compare it to previous scans? I really hope you do not worry because I will bet some money that it is nothing. Think about it you just had rt, it is not likely that something would appear this early. I hate when docs plant a seed and say BUT don't worry.
    John

    inconclusive CT
    I am supposed to see the ENT surgeon on Wed. I saw the chemo doctor today. The ENT will tell me what we are going to do about the lymph node. They said probably a PET Scan, a biopsy and/or something else. They said that she will go over the options with me. Thanks for writing. Ann
  • jtl
    jtl Member Posts: 456
    Crazymom said:

    inconclusive CT
    I am supposed to see the ENT surgeon on Wed. I saw the chemo doctor today. The ENT will tell me what we are going to do about the lymph node. They said probably a PET Scan, a biopsy and/or something else. They said that she will go over the options with me. Thanks for writing. Ann

    Ann, please do not worry, my
    Ann, please do not worry, my guess (and I am a very good guesser)is that it is a lot to do about nothing.
    John
  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    jtl said:

    Ann, please do not worry, my
    Ann, please do not worry, my guess (and I am a very good guesser)is that it is a lot to do about nothing.
    John

    easier said than done, but try not to worry
    Ann, I am surprised they even did a scan on you so early. My docs never do any scan until 6 months after rads as so many things are still swollen and will give false results. Please try to put this in the back of your mind...it most likely is nothing but swelling. Praying for the best possible outcome for you.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    Ingrid K said:

    easier said than done, but try not to worry
    Ann, I am surprised they even did a scan on you so early. My docs never do any scan until 6 months after rads as so many things are still swollen and will give false results. Please try to put this in the back of your mind...it most likely is nothing but swelling. Praying for the best possible outcome for you.

    It's hardly discernible
    A 2 mm difference is not significant. If you told me they found a 12mm mass, then I'd be worried. The fact that your ENT wants all your fluid filled, radiated, traumatized, scorned and abused lymph nodes to be uniform in size is not something to stress out over. Let them poke it and biopsy it and it will just turn out to be another small slice of time through this journey you are on. It's really nothing more than one episode of the experience and should not become more than that. Wishing you the quick passage of time.
  • olybee
    olybee Member Posts: 85
    ratface said:

    It's hardly discernible
    A 2 mm difference is not significant. If you told me they found a 12mm mass, then I'd be worried. The fact that your ENT wants all your fluid filled, radiated, traumatized, scorned and abused lymph nodes to be uniform in size is not something to stress out over. Let them poke it and biopsy it and it will just turn out to be another small slice of time through this journey you are on. It's really nothing more than one episode of the experience and should not become more than that. Wishing you the quick passage of time.

    info
    My husband's first PET scan post rad. showed like this, gave us a big scare, but now it's still getting smaller as time goes on. I hope you have good news soon. I know how hard it is to not worry
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Scans...and
    To me, even though a scan may (or may not) show much more than you have seen already. It's not going to be as conclusive as a FNA or biopsy of other means.

    I'd think the only true way to determine cancer would be from tissue.

    Anyways, just my thoughts....

    As for the scan results, it's far from uncommon and actually fairly common for initial scans to show false positives...even the first few scans .

    Hang tough,
    John
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    Skiffin16 said:

    Scans...and
    To me, even though a scan may (or may not) show much more than you have seen already. It's not going to be as conclusive as a FNA or biopsy of other means.

    I'd think the only true way to determine cancer would be from tissue.

    Anyways, just my thoughts....

    As for the scan results, it's far from uncommon and actually fairly common for initial scans to show false positives...even the first few scans .

    Hang tough,
    John

    Scans
    Sorry I have been busy at work. The doctor said to wait 6 weeks and they will do a Pet Skan. If it looks bad or is inconclusive they will do a neck dissection. She said it is very likely that the swelling will go down and nothing will come of it. I have the Pet Skan scheduled for June 21 and if it is positive they are going into surgery that day. She said that she would be giving 10 other patients that day the same speech she was giving me. 90% don't have to have the surgery.

    I hate waiting though!

    Everything else is good.


    Ann
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    Crazymom said:

    Scans
    Sorry I have been busy at work. The doctor said to wait 6 weeks and they will do a Pet Skan. If it looks bad or is inconclusive they will do a neck dissection. She said it is very likely that the swelling will go down and nothing will come of it. I have the Pet Skan scheduled for June 21 and if it is positive they are going into surgery that day. She said that she would be giving 10 other patients that day the same speech she was giving me. 90% don't have to have the surgery.

    I hate waiting though!

    Everything else is good.


    Ann

    Sounds Much Better
    My first scans weren't clean after treatment, either. My docs recommended the "wait and see" approach, and said that the node in questions would most likely resolve itself with no additional treatment.
  • Tonsil Dad
    Tonsil Dad Member Posts: 488
    Pam M said:

    Sounds Much Better
    My first scans weren't clean after treatment, either. My docs recommended the "wait and see" approach, and said that the node in questions would most likely resolve itself with no additional treatment.

    My 2 Cents.
    Hi Ann, I am by far from a proffesional but in my oppinion it could
    be your immune system working to fight off something, the lymph nodes
    swell up when they are fighting an infection. I personally wouldn't be alarmed
    not so soon after having rads to that area. (I have educated myself on the immune
    system and how it works)

    God bless
    Tonsil dad,

    Dan.
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    CT results...
    Hello !
    I know what you mean...the wait and see game gets trying. Don't let it get you down...your Dr. is probably dead on with the swelling issue. In the same shoes here, only different type mine is ACC, and have swelling in surgery site in neck. Will be doing another CT in July, and probably biopsy. But I won't let it ruin my summer ! Be positive..I know hard to do, but enjoy life ! BBQ'S, or whatever you enjoy ! Tons of positive thoughts sent your way ! Katie
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member

    My 2 Cents.
    Hi Ann, I am by far from a proffesional but in my oppinion it could
    be your immune system working to fight off something, the lymph nodes
    swell up when they are fighting an infection. I personally wouldn't be alarmed
    not so soon after having rads to that area. (I have educated myself on the immune
    system and how it works)

    God bless
    Tonsil dad,

    Dan.

    picture
    Cute baby picture!
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member

    My 2 Cents.
    Hi Ann, I am by far from a proffesional but in my oppinion it could
    be your immune system working to fight off something, the lymph nodes
    swell up when they are fighting an infection. I personally wouldn't be alarmed
    not so soon after having rads to that area. (I have educated myself on the immune
    system and how it works)

    God bless
    Tonsil dad,

    Dan.

    picture
    Cute baby picture!
  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member

    CT results...
    Hello !
    I know what you mean...the wait and see game gets trying. Don't let it get you down...your Dr. is probably dead on with the swelling issue. In the same shoes here, only different type mine is ACC, and have swelling in surgery site in neck. Will be doing another CT in July, and probably biopsy. But I won't let it ruin my summer ! Be positive..I know hard to do, but enjoy life ! BBQ'S, or whatever you enjoy ! Tons of positive thoughts sent your way ! Katie

    Biopsy
    The doctor said I could have a biopsy right now if it was driving me crazy no knowing the status. However, she preferred I wait and do the Pet Scan in six weeks and see how the entire neck was doing. Then if they have to do surgery she could do on both sides or address other issues.

    Ann
  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member

    My 2 Cents.
    Hi Ann, I am by far from a proffesional but in my oppinion it could
    be your immune system working to fight off something, the lymph nodes
    swell up when they are fighting an infection. I personally wouldn't be alarmed
    not so soon after having rads to that area. (I have educated myself on the immune
    system and how it works)

    God bless
    Tonsil dad,

    Dan.

    Love the new pic Dan ...
    Cute:)

    Tim
  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    Crazymom said:

    Biopsy
    The doctor said I could have a biopsy right now if it was driving me crazy no knowing the status. However, she preferred I wait and do the Pet Scan in six weeks and see how the entire neck was doing. Then if they have to do surgery she could do on both sides or address other issues.

    Ann

    Pet scan
    Hi Ann,
    Please make sure before doing anything....question and answer time with oncologist. Pet scans are good as a starting point, but very inconclusive. If they find something please make sure they do a CT scan to verify their findings. And then the biopsy. This is very scary and worrisome...waiting on a CT after a pet scan myself. Doctor wanting to wait til July, to see if it is rad, or past surgical mass. (scar tissue) My surgical margins were positive for perinueral invasion, in other words they were not able to get all the cancer. So if the ct shows the mass, they will then biopsy and decide if it's returned what to do. I worry people get pushed to fast through this process...please take a breath, and trust in God...that all will be well. Katie