hypermetabolic lymph nodes

Jackaroe
Jackaroe Member Posts: 23
in Kidney Cancer #1

Hi all. I had a radical nephrectomy in February for a 7.4 cm chromophobe carcinoma, stage 2a, confined to kidney. path report negative for necrotic areas and for sarcomatoid features. Recent PET scan shows "hypermetabolic" lymph nodes. My oncologist says this could be mets but more likely isn't because of no enlargement and the pattern of activity (symetrical) is not suggestive of mets. doctor recommends follow up PET scan in three months to see if there is any growth.  this seems like a good approach to me. any thoughts?

Comments

  • Galrim
    Galrim Member Posts: 315 Member
    #2
    Hard to say really

    Sounds like a reasonable and sane approach by your doctors in the eyes of a layman.

    However, your question is so specific and case dependant, that I think you should go for a second or third *professional* opinion if you feel unsecure.

     

    /G

  • Texas_wedge
    Texas_wedge Member Posts: 2,798
    #3
    Sounds sensible

    That seems like a good course of acion to me (speaking as someone who had a larger chromophobe tumor, stage 4 grade 4, extensively necrotic and predominantly sarcomatoid).  The assumption will be that your lymph nodes are reactive rather than infected (the same presumption was made of mine, though they are now infected and next scan will be revealing to see whether they have got better or worse).

    My only question would be: is that a hybrid PET/CT scan? I hope our expert, MedScanMan, sees this and can give his opinion.

  • Jackaroe
    Jackaroe Member Posts: 23
    #4
    Galrim said:

    Hard to say really

    Sounds like a reasonable and sane approach by your doctors in the eyes of a layman.

    However, your question is so specific and case dependant, that I think you should go for a second or third *professional* opinion if you feel unsecure.

     

    /G

    thank you G.

    I don't feel unsecure, but never hurts to get some other  viewpoints!

  • Jackaroe
    Jackaroe Member Posts: 23
    #5
    Texas_wedge said:

    Sounds sensible

    That seems like a good course of acion to me (speaking as someone who had a larger chromophobe tumor, stage 4 grade 4, extensively necrotic and predominantly sarcomatoid).  The assumption will be that your lymph nodes are reactive rather than infected (the same presumption was made of mine, though they are now infected and next scan will be revealing to see whether they have got better or worse).

    My only question would be: is that a hybrid PET/CT scan? I hope our expert, MedScanMan, sees this and can give his opinion.

    Hi Texas

    I was hoping to hear from you - I've learned more about chromophobe from you then from any other source....thank you. Yes, my assumption, which seems reasonable, is that the lymph nodes are reactive, perhaps that this is their long-term baseline functioning. Yes, the scan included both CT and PET.

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    #6
    Jackaroe said:

    Hi Texas

    I was hoping to hear from you - I've learned more about chromophobe from you then from any other source....thank you. Yes, my assumption, which seems reasonable, is that the lymph nodes are reactive, perhaps that this is their long-term baseline functioning. Yes, the scan included both CT and PET.

    It could very well be

    It could very well be reactive and it surely points that way, especially being so close to surgery as well.  Three month scans sounds like a good idea.  All the best!

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