Had PET/CT scan- update: got results
lisa42
Member Posts: 3,625 Member
Hi,
I went in today (Mon, 8/30) and had my PET/CT scan. The last one was on 5/10/10 & that showed everything fairly stable since I started the Gemzar, Avastin, & Xeloda in mid March. My CEA count has steadily been coming down from around 100 to 38 until 2 weeks ago, when it went up to 81. It went up over 4 weeks & I had a two week vacation from chemo while on my family vacation. Hard to believe just missing two weeks of chemo would make it shoot up like that, but who knows. Since the 81 CEA reading, I've now had two treatments of Gemzar and Avastin and have completed almost 2 weeks of taking Xeloda. So, we shall see what this scan shows. I have an appt. w/ my onc tomorrow (Tuesday)late afternoon, so I'll find out my results then.
Funny... I really wasn't even nervous for this scan- that's probably the first time in three years I really didn't feel too worried. Definitely, I've been thinking about it, but it just isn't spooking me this time. I'll update when I have the results-
Hugs to all,
Lisa
----------------------------------------------------
UPDATE Tuesday, 8/31: Got results
My PET/CT scan results are what they call "mixed results". Nothing really bad and nothing has spread to any new locations (always a relief). The CT portion showed no change in size in any of my lung or liver nodules- so that is considered stable. The PET portion showed decreased metabolic activity in the "innumerable pulmonary nodules", except for the hilar node, which had increased uptake. The report called that a positive response to therapy. The liver had increased metabolic uptake, with two new areas of uptake showing this time. Nothing in those areas showed on the CT portion, just on the PET portion. The area along where I had my resection (called the resection margin) has a fairly large amount of increased uptake, but no change in actual nodules. I believe I have six areas in the liver of increased metabolic activity. I had really been wondering about the rectum. In my February scan, it showed metabolic activity and an approx cm. lesion in the place of my initial tumor. The May scan didn't even mention the rectum at all, so onc and I didn't know if it had disappeared or if they had just failed to mention it. This time, there is metabolic activity with a slightly increased level, but no mention of any actual lesion or nodule. It even said it could represent physiological changes in the rectum, but I should follow up with my colorectal specialist. I am getting a referral to the specialist for a scope exam of the area in the rectum (always a fun treat- not
Overall, I'm kind of ho hum about the results. I am relieved, as always, that nothing has spread to any new locations, but don't really know if the results mean the current chemo is working or not. Lungs doing slightly better and liver doing slightly worse. Nothing drastic anyhow. Onc wants me to rescan in two months to follow up & we will keep doing the same chemo for now.
Onward and forward again...
Lisa
I went in today (Mon, 8/30) and had my PET/CT scan. The last one was on 5/10/10 & that showed everything fairly stable since I started the Gemzar, Avastin, & Xeloda in mid March. My CEA count has steadily been coming down from around 100 to 38 until 2 weeks ago, when it went up to 81. It went up over 4 weeks & I had a two week vacation from chemo while on my family vacation. Hard to believe just missing two weeks of chemo would make it shoot up like that, but who knows. Since the 81 CEA reading, I've now had two treatments of Gemzar and Avastin and have completed almost 2 weeks of taking Xeloda. So, we shall see what this scan shows. I have an appt. w/ my onc tomorrow (Tuesday)late afternoon, so I'll find out my results then.
Funny... I really wasn't even nervous for this scan- that's probably the first time in three years I really didn't feel too worried. Definitely, I've been thinking about it, but it just isn't spooking me this time. I'll update when I have the results-
Hugs to all,
Lisa
----------------------------------------------------
UPDATE Tuesday, 8/31: Got results
My PET/CT scan results are what they call "mixed results". Nothing really bad and nothing has spread to any new locations (always a relief). The CT portion showed no change in size in any of my lung or liver nodules- so that is considered stable. The PET portion showed decreased metabolic activity in the "innumerable pulmonary nodules", except for the hilar node, which had increased uptake. The report called that a positive response to therapy. The liver had increased metabolic uptake, with two new areas of uptake showing this time. Nothing in those areas showed on the CT portion, just on the PET portion. The area along where I had my resection (called the resection margin) has a fairly large amount of increased uptake, but no change in actual nodules. I believe I have six areas in the liver of increased metabolic activity. I had really been wondering about the rectum. In my February scan, it showed metabolic activity and an approx cm. lesion in the place of my initial tumor. The May scan didn't even mention the rectum at all, so onc and I didn't know if it had disappeared or if they had just failed to mention it. This time, there is metabolic activity with a slightly increased level, but no mention of any actual lesion or nodule. It even said it could represent physiological changes in the rectum, but I should follow up with my colorectal specialist. I am getting a referral to the specialist for a scope exam of the area in the rectum (always a fun treat- not
Overall, I'm kind of ho hum about the results. I am relieved, as always, that nothing has spread to any new locations, but don't really know if the results mean the current chemo is working or not. Lungs doing slightly better and liver doing slightly worse. Nothing drastic anyhow. Onc wants me to rescan in two months to follow up & we will keep doing the same chemo for now.
Onward and forward again...
Lisa
0
Comments
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Fingers and limbs crossed for you, Lisa!
Hey Lisa, I'm crossing everything that I've got that can actually be crossed that the results from today's PET/CT scan don't show anything new or any drastic changes. Good for you to just not get nervous about it... that doesn't do anyone any good and it will be what it will be... still, easier said than done!
I follow your progress and fight against this monster since we both seem to have a similar pattern. We both have the mets in our lungs and over all they are usually pretty stable. Mine were stable for the past ALMOST 3 years, without chemo or any kind of treatment... then two of the mets just up and decided to grow, hence I'm on the Xeloda. There's also, what appears to be a growth in my kidney (???) so we are going to see if it responds to the Xeloda... if not and it continues to grow, then we will RFA it and just get rid of it. In a way, I kind of hope it does not respond to the Xeloda because that would mean it's a single new primary (Kidney cancer) and RFA would be the end of that... meanwhile it would mean that the colon cancer has not spread. I have a PET/CT scheduled for Sept 10th to get these answers, so I know what you are going through... you are just a week or so ahead of me
So, I will definitely be waiting to hear what your results are and I'm sending out energy that it's all ok and under control... despite the rise in the CEA. That is definitely one area we differ in. The highest my CEA has ever been (and that was at the worst) was 18. Usually, it's around 1.5 - 2.0.... right now, the last test a week or so ago, it was at 5.9, down from 8.0... but still not coming down really quickly. So when you talk 100, down to 38, up to 81... well, we really can't compare our CEA readings because everyone is so unique and different... there's just no comparison.
Will pop in tomorrow and check for your post!
Cheryl0 -
Scan
Hoping that all is going well with scan. Thinking about you.
Kim0 -
keeping you in my thoughts
keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Lisa. I will be thinking of you tomorrow.0 -
Lisamommyof2kds said:keeping you in my thoughts
keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Lisa. I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
Sending good vibes, prayers AND keeping everything crossed so that scan comes back good!!! Let us know as soon as you can. Looking forward to those GOOD results. You take care
Jennie0 -
0
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Praying
Hi Lisa, I'm continuing to pray for you....healing, peace, comfort wisdom.
Big Hugs and Prayers,
Debbie0 -
Lisa, your closing line said
Lisa, your closing line said it all " onward and forward again"! Congratulations! You being hum drum only means you have learned to live with it all! I watch friends with new dx and remember my dx days. Nothing but fear and drama (rightly deserved, but none the less drama).
I am still fighting hard and I know you are too, but maybe it is kind of nice to not be in a panic all the time. Anyway, I hope you understand what I mean, you are such an inspiration to me and many others here. My prayer for all of us is that we can have peace and good health. My prayers are with you. Jean0
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