Hey everyone

Adam26
Adam26 Member Posts: 125
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi Guys, 

 

It's been a long time. I was expecting to write a "6 month NED" post on here this week, but unfortunately on my mum's PET scan they found a micro hot spot on her operation site.

 

For anyone who doesn't know, she was diagnosed nearly 2 years ago with t1/no/mo anal cancer and unfortunately her treatment didn't work, so they had to remove it (again at stage 1) last August. 

 

Anyway, the good news is that when in this multi-disciplinary meeting, the 2 oncologists wanted to just leave it as they don't think it's anything to worry about. Likewise, the surgeon believes it to be harmless and simply a case of inflammation from where the bio-mesh that she had put in during the op has fused with the cells (I believe that's what he said). Either that or he thinks it is infection. He actually had to push the two oncologists into giving my mum an MRI scan this week, for reassurance. 

 

My question is has this happened to anyone else before, whether it be a PET scan or CT etc? The rest of her body was completely clear and their expectation is that inflammation is confirmed on the MRI but any info on this would help my mum a lot as she is anxious. It really has been a long road for her, it would be nice to get 6/7 months NED soon, especially as she would have been 8 months off 2 years NED had her chemo/radiotherapy worked!

 

All the best everyone,

Adam 


 

 

Comments

  • Cazz
    Cazz Member Posts: 106
    #2
    Hi Adam

    Its good to hear from you - I had been thinking about posting and asking how your Mum was doing.  I wish that it was clearly good news - it sounds like good news, but just a bit murky.  Hopefully the MRI will bring relief and reassurance.  Please let us know as I think there are a lot of us here who have followed her journey and worry about her.  Just remind her that she is a survivor and she has done wonderfully so far and can handle whatever comes next - which is hopefully wondering how she is going to cope with being NED!

    You mentioned going to Spain in your last posts, I hope she is there now as I hear that it has been bitterly cold in the UK lately.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #3
    Adam

    Hello to you and your Mom!  I was glad to see a post from you and was hoping it would be all good news.  But really, I think it is!  MRI follow-up will hopefully rule out any cancer at the site that lit up on the PET scan.  PET's are so, so sensitive and inflammation is one of the things that can set them off.  Considering the surgery that your mom had, it's quite likely to be the case here.  I have had numerous PET scans and several of them have shown activity in various locations, which turned out to be either inflammation or "brown fat" (look that one up!).  I know you are concerned and rightfully so.  However, her doctors obviously feel that inflammation is the reason for the activity and I'm sure they are making an educated assessment.  I am sending good wishes to both of you that this will be confirmed.

    I know you both have been through the proverbial wringer and I'm sorry that once again, things seem uncertain.  I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers for all good news and I hope you'll let us know when you hear something.

    Martha

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #4
    Hi Adam

    Although I do not have an answer to your question, I am glad to see your post.  I, too, have been thinking about you and your Mum and wondering how things were going.  Despite not being totally clean, it does sound like a good report.  I'm glad they will be doing the MRI for your piece of mind.  Keep us posted.

    Best wishes, 

    Tracey

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