CT scan results questions

IMO
Hi Chrise

From what you described, I offer you my thoughts on your subject:

1. Was there Cancer in the L1 vertebra before? The report says to me that things are "stable and unchanged" since your last exam. I would take this as a positive. We all have degenerative conditions in our spine - especially if we had radiation, and just plain, good old fashioned aging. I've got degenerative conditions in my back as well.

2. Sounds like there is some growth her and that's not a small spot, it's significant to worry about and keep a tight watch over.

3. Not sure what to make of this one. I had uptake activity in my trachea and voice box, but it turned out to be nothing. Still we need to keep an eye here as well.

4. No worries here - just about every human being has a small cyst on their kidneys, one of my surgeons included. This is considered normal - however, we want to keep an eye on this each scan cycle to see that it remains unchanged.

5. Small increase here, so the chemo has definitely slowed down the progress compared to your last scan cycle - despite a small increase, this is good news - it means that the chemo has kept the cancer at bay and it is not growing exponentially - without treatments, this certainly would have grown out of control. A victory here, despite the small growth - this will be where the battle will be fought - I'd see about keeping her on Avastin and Xeloda to throw some preventative measures at this to keep things in check.

6. Another battle area, but another good victory, since the area is stable, with no new growths - no growth is spreading is a victory, indeed.

Overall, I would say this is a favorable report, with a few things that we want to keep a close eyeball on for each scan cycle.

For peace of mind, you might want to consider getting a 2nd opinion from a new oncologist - you might find a better and open relationship with the new doc, and the new opinion will give you an idea of where you are at - and you can compare apples to apples, oranges to oranges, to see if you feel like they are seeing the same thing.

TRUST is a huge thing between patient and oncologist - you must believe what they are telling you and it's nice to be able to have a "give and go" with the doc to answer your questions and concerns. What I might also suggest is typing up questions in advance - then fax them over to the doctors office in advance of the appointment. Then you walk in with your copy and let the existing or the new guy right up front, that we are going to talk about this and that you are taking a more pro-active approach with future healthcare. If the existing guy hesitates or balks, there is your answer - TIME TO WALK.

You must stay an advocate of the healhcare and let them know that you are nobody's dummy and that this is serious business - the business of Life and Death - and you want due consideration of that or you are leaving. Use this approach with the new onc until you click with one you like and trust.

I think she is going to have to get back onto chemo to keep things stable, and I would ask about what conditions need to be met for a liver resection, or an RFA or CyberKnife procedure.

I hope this is of help to you - take care and do post back what you find - I'd be interested to know for sure.

And BTW, Welcome to the Board, we are glad to have you here and will do anything that we can to alleviate your fears and concerns, and try to help you as much as we can with what we know and have experienced. So many educated people here - and we've all been through this and try to support one another any way we can. So welcome home, and ask any questions that you have. Look forward to hearing from you.

All the best going forward!
-Craig

Sundanceh said:

IMO
Hi Chrise

From what you described, I offer you my thoughts on your subject:

1. Was there Cancer in the L1 vertebra before? The report says to me that things are "stable and unchanged" since your last exam. I would take this as a positive. We all have degenerative conditions in our spine - especially if we had radiation, and just plain, good old fashioned aging. I've got degenerative conditions in my back as well.

2. Sounds like there is some growth her and that's not a small spot, it's significant to worry about and keep a tight watch over.

3. Not sure what to make of this one. I had uptake activity in my trachea and voice box, but it turned out to be nothing. Still we need to keep an eye here as well.

4. No worries here - just about every human being has a small cyst on their kidneys, one of my surgeons included. This is considered normal - however, we want to keep an eye on this each scan cycle to see that it remains unchanged.

5. Small increase here, so the chemo has definitely slowed down the progress compared to your last scan cycle - despite a small increase, this is good news - it means that the chemo has kept the cancer at bay and it is not growing exponentially - without treatments, this certainly would have grown out of control. A victory here, despite the small growth - this will be where the battle will be fought - I'd see about keeping her on Avastin and Xeloda to throw some preventative measures at this to keep things in check.

6. Another battle area, but another good victory, since the area is stable, with no new growths - no growth is spreading is a victory, indeed.

Overall, I would say this is a favorable report, with a few things that we want to keep a close eyeball on for each scan cycle.

For peace of mind, you might want to consider getting a 2nd opinion from a new oncologist - you might find a better and open relationship with the new doc, and the new opinion will give you an idea of where you are at - and you can compare apples to apples, oranges to oranges, to see if you feel like they are seeing the same thing.

TRUST is a huge thing between patient and oncologist - you must believe what they are telling you and it's nice to be able to have a "give and go" with the doc to answer your questions and concerns. What I might also suggest is typing up questions in advance - then fax them over to the doctors office in advance of the appointment. Then you walk in with your copy and let the existing or the new guy right up front, that we are going to talk about this and that you are taking a more pro-active approach with future healthcare. If the existing guy hesitates or balks, there is your answer - TIME TO WALK.

You must stay an advocate of the healhcare and let them know that you are nobody's dummy and that this is serious business - the business of Life and Death - and you want due consideration of that or you are leaving. Use this approach with the new onc until you click with one you like and trust.

I think she is going to have to get back onto chemo to keep things stable, and I would ask about what conditions need to be met for a liver resection, or an RFA or CyberKnife procedure.

I hope this is of help to you - take care and do post back what you find - I'd be interested to know for sure.

And BTW, Welcome to the Board, we are glad to have you here and will do anything that we can to alleviate your fears and concerns, and try to help you as much as we can with what we know and have experienced. So many educated people here - and we've all been through this and try to support one another any way we can. So welcome home, and ask any questions that you have. Look forward to hearing from you.

All the best going forward!
-Craig

Welcome........
and pretty much ditto what Craig has told you...Love and Hope for you and mom.....Buzz