symptoms of lung mets

timlou
timlou Member Posts: 60
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, I have a question about how you find out about metastasis in the lungs. Tim is having a CAT of the abdomen and pelvis after one year but no mention of checking his lungs. Do you have symptoms first and then get checked? If so, what are the symptoms? He had a clear colonoscopy in June and his CAT is at the beginning of August. He is stage 3 with 12 lymph nodes out of 28 involved. Thanks for your expertise. Louise

Comments

  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #2
    hi Louise,

    at my first 6 month check I had a chest x-ray (and mammogram) along with the CT and colonoscopy. I have not had one since. Funny that you ask this cuz I have been wondering a similar thing--why has my onc not had me get another chest x-ray as part of my testing.

    I hope you get your answer.

    peace, emily
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #3
    Hi Louise,
    I had a lung metastisis which was picked up on CT scan. I had no symptoms whatsoever. My CT scans have always included thorax, abdomen and pelvis. You may want to ask your dr about this? But, I understand lung mets are more likely for rectal cancer (my case) than colon cancer -- related to the different blood or lymphatic supplies. You might also want to ask about chest X-ray -- I don't know how CT thorax compares with X-ray in terms of detecting mets.
    Tara
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #4
    Hi Louise,
    I would ask why no lung scan far before the test and see if it can just be included. I am on an every 6 month scan schedule, and now am 1 and three quarters years out. My scans include chest, abdomen and pelvis. My dad had colon cancer that recurred in his liver and lungs 2 years later, and had no symptoms prior to his scan. Good luck to you and Tim. Judy
  • VonnieKai
    VonnieKai Member Posts: 30
    #5
    Hi Louise
    My husband had no symptoms of lung mets. Like Tara, we were told that metastasis to the lungs is more common in rectal cancer, which is what my husband has. I think because he had rectal cancer, the oncologist always orders a chest CT scan along with the abdomen and pelvis. Lung mets can have no symptoms for a long time - my husband's lung mets were detected in October 2003 and only recently has he started coughing more than usual. He hasn't had any shortness of breath, lung or liver pain at all. So you can't go by symptoms because the symptoms might not kick in until the lung mets are quite advanced. You might express your concerns to the oncologist and request to include a chest CT-Scan to make sure. A CT-Scan can pick up much smaller mets than an X-ray can. A PET scan can detect which "changes" are cancer better than a CT-Scan can. So, it's useful to get the CT-Scan to note if there are any "changes" and then a PET Scan to determine if those "changes" are due to metastasis. I think the oncologists expect liver mets to show up first, but that doesn't always happen. Hope all goes well for you and Tim.
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    #6
    Hi Louise,

    I also have rectal cancer like Tim with high a number of pos lymph nodes ( 10 ) in total. Here in Canada my Dr will not do routine CT Scans looking for cancer. To much radiation.. I was told.. Remember we alreay had 28 radiation treatments.

    I have routine abdominal ultrasound every nine month's & a chest x-ray every six months.

    On my first anniversary I had a Ct Scan only because I insisted ( peace of mind ). Here I am now 3 years & 4 months later doing fine.

    But I Still Wake On Eggshalls.

    Lisa
  • timlou
    timlou Member Posts: 60
    #7
    Thank you all for your replys, I always know I can count on you. Tim and I both feel like we walk on eggshells everyday, this disease has brought us closer together but in a frightening way neither wants to live without the other. He like many others does not often voice his fears and would never come on here to talk, but I have found a true group of kindred spirits, survivors and caregivers. I guess I belong in both catagories I am a 13 year survivor of breast cancer which gives me no fear now after all these years. Tim is just one year out from surgery and chemo and we have such a long way to go to breathe easy. Much love for all your support. Louise Oh and I will ask for a chest xray at the minimum. Thanks again
  • alihamilton
    alihamilton Member Posts: 347 Member
    #8
    I read with interest what Lisa said about routine follow up scans and the fact that her doctor is reluctant to order them too often. I notice in the US, CT scans seem to be given very regularly but I also read that too many is not a good thing. Here, my husband is not due to have another for about 6 mths, which will make a year since his last one. He did have a chest xray at the time of his last scan but I guess the same principle may apply...too many xrays are not good either. I think Louise, you should ask for an xray though to put your mind at rest. I am sure they also do CEA levels which though not totally reliable, seem to be helpful in indicating recurrence. Hope your husband's scan goes well in August....it is never pleasant as you approach testing time...nerve wracking in fact!

    Ali
  • timlou
    timlou Member Posts: 60
    #9
    alihamilton said:

    I read with interest what Lisa said about routine follow up scans and the fact that her doctor is reluctant to order them too often. I notice in the US, CT scans seem to be given very regularly but I also read that too many is not a good thing. Here, my husband is not due to have another for about 6 mths, which will make a year since his last one. He did have a chest xray at the time of his last scan but I guess the same principle may apply...too many xrays are not good either. I think Louise, you should ask for an xray though to put your mind at rest. I am sure they also do CEA levels which though not totally reliable, seem to be helpful in indicating recurrence. Hope your husband's scan goes well in August....it is never pleasant as you approach testing time...nerve wracking in fact!

    Ali

    Thanks Ali,
    Tim has an appointment for blood work back at the Onco before the Scan I will ask then to include a chest x-ray or scan. You are right about how test happy we americans are, my friend in the UK had to wait 11 months for a colonoscopy which found many pre-cancerous polyps. I am a nurse and the first thought that runs through my mind when someone has a complaint is hmm which test should be done to figure that out. Thanks again for your thoughts I just want to relax and be able to say to someone yeah he's absolutely cancer free at the moment, that's all I want. Louise
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    #10
    timlou said:

    Thanks Ali,
    Tim has an appointment for blood work back at the Onco before the Scan I will ask then to include a chest x-ray or scan. You are right about how test happy we americans are, my friend in the UK had to wait 11 months for a colonoscopy which found many pre-cancerous polyps. I am a nurse and the first thought that runs through my mind when someone has a complaint is hmm which test should be done to figure that out. Thanks again for your thoughts I just want to relax and be able to say to someone yeah he's absolutely cancer free at the moment, that's all I want. Louise

    I have/had(?) colon cancer and my onc in Texas did a full PET/CT scan of my abdomen and chest.

    I am glad I read this today because I just met with my new onc yesterday where he ordered blood work (should have results today) and I am trying to get scheduled for my first PET/CT scan post-chemo. He is wanting me to have a PET/CT scan every 3 months along with a visit with him for at least the first year. Does this seem excessive for the first year? Patricia
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #11
    seems as if a abdomen/pelvic scan is warranted,they would include the lungs..also,what is his CEA doing? CEA rise will
    often be an accurate tumor marker in some people-my Onc acted on a slight rise in CEA and found many tiny nodules in the lungs.
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #12
    seems as if a abdomen/pelvic scan is warranted,they would include the lungs..also,what is his CEA doing? CEA rise will
    often be an accurate tumor marker in some people-my Onc acted on a slight rise in CEA and found many tiny nodules in the lungs.

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