Mixed test results

ybrown
ybrown Member Posts: 9
in Kidney Cancer #1

I had an CT scan (without contrast) on 5/17/14 which showed a mass on my right kidney. My doctor sent me to get a renal US. The US came back with a solid appearing object on my right kidney. Another CT scan was done, with and without contrast. The results from the radiologist said the area was too small to determine anything "probably benign". My doctor's notes stated there was nothing seen on the scan. My question is, how can a mass appear on two seperate test results and then disappear on the third? HELP!!!!!

Comments

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    #2
    Conflicting Scans!

    Firstly you can have scans and ultrasounds with conflicting information. The angles used can differ and unfortunately not all radiologists read them correctly!

    Surely the first scan and ultrasound indicated the size of the mass? Were both the scans and ultrasound dealt with at the same facility? If the mass is tiny your doctor will probably arrange to monitor it. If it is a larger mass then I would arrange to see an Oncologist to go over the scans with an expert eye, to hopefully put your mind at rest.

     

    Djinnie

  • ybrown
    ybrown Member Posts: 9
    #3
    Djinnie said:

    Conflicting Scans!

    Firstly you can have scans and ultrasounds with conflicting information. The angles used can differ and unfortunately not all radiologists read them correctly!

    Surely the first scan and ultrasound indicated the size of the mass? Were both the scans and ultrasound dealt with at the same facility? If the mass is tiny your doctor will probably arrange to monitor it. If it is a larger mass then I would arrange to see an Oncologist to go over the scans with an expert eye, to hopefully put your mind at rest.

     

    Djinnie

    Conflicting scans

    Thanks for responding:). I am picking up the first CT scan today. I have a copy of the US and the mass is clearly marked and the size is indicated. The radiologist who viewed the second CT scan said there wasn't any reason to monitor which didn't make sense to me. I was wondering if anyone else had received such mixed results.

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    #4
    ybrown said:

    Conflicting scans

    Thanks for responding:). I am picking up the first CT scan today. I have a copy of the US and the mass is clearly marked and the size is indicated. The radiologist who viewed the second CT scan said there wasn't any reason to monitor which didn't make sense to me. I was wondering if anyone else had received such mixed results.

    Scan results!

    Yes I have! but in my case the scan indicated all clear when it wasn't, a follow up MRI indicated new tumours. That was why I changed doctors and found a good kidney cancer Oncologist. what was the size of the mass?

    Djinnie

  • db8ne1
    db8ne1 Member Posts: 142 Member
    #5
    Scans...

    Ybrown,

    I had my first CT scan (due to Colorectal (CRC) Cancer diagnosis) in December 2012.  It showed a small mass on my left kidney that was "suspicious for renal cell carcinoma".  They sent me for an ultrasound, but the tech couldn't find it.  The kidney was hiding behind my ribs.  So, after my CRC chemo/radiation was completed, they sent me for another CT scan to check out the kidney again - and then off to the urologist.  The urologist said that, given its small size, we could take a "wait and see" approach - and that I had bigger fish to fry right now anyway - battling my CRC. 

    Fast foward 2 more CT Scans (last one in May 2014).  Mass on left kidney continued to grow on each CT.  Urologist had initially said, "If it grows its cancer and we take it out".  I am currently recovering from a robotic assisted partial nephrectomy performed last week.  So, 1 1/2 years after initial sighting, it's been removed.

    So, depending on it's size (if its less than 4cm), your doc may want to take the "wait and see" approach and redo the CT scan in 6 months?  I have lots of "masses" in my body - but none are worrisome and none have grown.  Different massess and nodules have different characteristics. Many are not problematic.  (Think ovarian cysts.  Most are temporary.  Show up once and disappear.  That can happen).

    So, I'd suggest keeping on top of it but not worrying too much if its still relatively small (I don't think you mentioned the "size" or "characteristics" of the mass in your post?)  That might me helpful.

    Best,

     

    J

  • ybrown
    ybrown Member Posts: 9
    #6
    Djinnie said:

    Scan results!

    Yes I have! but in my case the scan indicated all clear when it wasn't, a follow up MRI indicated new tumours. That was why I changed doctors and found a good kidney cancer Oncologist. what was the size of the mass?

    Djinnie

    Size of mass

    The radiologist report stated "A smaller solid-appearing lesion in the mid to lower pole measuring 13 mm in diameter. The smaller lesion did appear to have detectable blood flow and is worrisome for a primary renal neoplasm..."

  • ybrown
    ybrown Member Posts: 9
    #7
    db8ne1 said:

    Scans...

    Ybrown,

    I had my first CT scan (due to Colorectal (CRC) Cancer diagnosis) in December 2012.  It showed a small mass on my left kidney that was "suspicious for renal cell carcinoma".  They sent me for an ultrasound, but the tech couldn't find it.  The kidney was hiding behind my ribs.  So, after my CRC chemo/radiation was completed, they sent me for another CT scan to check out the kidney again - and then off to the urologist.  The urologist said that, given its small size, we could take a "wait and see" approach - and that I had bigger fish to fry right now anyway - battling my CRC. 

    Fast foward 2 more CT Scans (last one in May 2014).  Mass on left kidney continued to grow on each CT.  Urologist had initially said, "If it grows its cancer and we take it out".  I am currently recovering from a robotic assisted partial nephrectomy performed last week.  So, 1 1/2 years after initial sighting, it's been removed.

    So, depending on it's size (if its less than 4cm), your doc may want to take the "wait and see" approach and redo the CT scan in 6 months?  I have lots of "masses" in my body - but none are worrisome and none have grown.  Different massess and nodules have different characteristics. Many are not problematic.  (Think ovarian cysts.  Most are temporary.  Show up once and disappear.  That can happen).

    So, I'd suggest keeping on top of it but not worrying too much if its still relatively small (I don't think you mentioned the "size" or "characteristics" of the mass in your post?)  That might me helpful.

    Best,

     

    J

    Mass size

    The radiologist report stated "A smaller solid-appearing lesion in the mid to lower pole measuring 13 mm in diameter. The smaller lesion did appear to have detectable blood flow and is worrisome for a primary renal neoplasm..."

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