Ultrasound for detection of metastases - has anyone had this for following masses? (Recap of Lost Po

This recap includes posts that were lost during CSN's data outage from 10/29/18 to 1/30/19.

 zsazsa1

Nov 10, 2018 - 3:37 pm

https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/uog.10054

 

Above is a review article from 2011 about the use of ultrasound for staging of GYN cancers.  I'm curious about its utility.  I know that CT and PET would probably be more accurate, but for surveillance and monitoring for recurrence, this would have no toxicity.

Has anyone had this used for surveillance?

 

derMaus

Nov 12, 2018 - 6:47 pm

My doctor uses it

Since I have a known tumor, my doctor uses MRI to monitor it's size/treatment response. My (potential) surgeon also uses it to evaluate when/how to do surgery. IDK why they don't use it more often, given how uninvasive it is compared to PET or CT.

 

pinky104

Nov 12, 2018 - 11:37 pm

Ultrasonography

I haven't had it for surveillance of a recurrence.  I was told that my GYN/onc. doesn't even have an ultrasound machine in  his office.  However, I will say that my original cancer was found in an ultrasound.  My gynecologist had assured me that the large polyp he'd found would not be malignant (and I'd had a benign one removed previously by a former gynecologist).  I believed him, but he was wrong.  He called me wanting me in his office  immediately the same day the results came back in the path report from my D&C.  Then he told me I had cancer.  He gave me no clue that I had such an aggressive cancer.  I had to find that out when I saw my GYN/onc.

You could be in for an unnecessary scare if you go this route and some benign condition is found.  However, you can still follow up with a scan at that point.

 

SF73

Nov 12, 2018 - 11:56 pm

I believe takecontrol's

I believe takecontrol's doctor uses ultrasound successfully for surveillance. I had three CT Scans and one MRI so far. In the literature it has been mentioned that MRIs and CT Scans have similar diagnostic value but it because of its cost it is much harder for a physician to prescribe it. I would love to avoid getting another CT Scan but when you suspect recurrence you just want to know the answer at any cost. 

 

zsazsa1

Nov 13, 2018 - 10:27 am

Surgeon, oncologist, and

Surgeon, oncologist, and other center are all saying there's no way it's from metastases, offering pet CT if I want it, saying insurance won't cover it, recommending just continue with chemo.  It's now 6 weeks since surgery, and I am feeling less in the way of abdominal symptoms.

 

evolo58

Nov 13, 2018 - 11:07 am

No way from metastasis?

Sounds like great news! 

 

takingcontrol58

Nov 13, 2018 - 1:55 pm

Ultrasounds and blood testing for ongoing surveillance

Yes, I  have been monitored every 3 months with ultrasounds- pelvic, abdominal and transvaginal, since
I went intototal  remission in August 2015. In additoin to the ultrasounds, I get about 30 different
blood tests every 3 months. The blood tests can warn you of issues going on that could lead to cancer
so you can address those health issues and avoid growing new cancer- it could be inadequate vitamin
and mineral levels, high levels of metals, high glucose, insulin,estradiol,  and there are good markers
for cancer besides CA125- like HE4, adiponectin (higher levels make you less at risk for cancer)
and LDH (measures cell damage (medical articles say it should be used as a marker for all cancers).

Getting radiation every 3 months is too much radiation in my opinion (though there are supplements you
can use to protect the body from radiation damage).

ZsaZsa1 posted an excellent article written the the journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology- it provides a very detailed
explanation of what gynecological ultrasounds can see- with lots of graphics. I would highly recommend it for reading. 
A cancerous lesion is described as a focal lesion. No scans are perfect, that is why I believe comprehensive blood testing
is so important along with the scans- blood is the life of our body-it tells you what is going on inside - it transports oxygen
and nutrients to the cells so will tell you the good things and bad things that are in your blood that contribute to forming cancer.
(and there are lots of good tests to use but oncologists don't seem to use them). They say information will show up in the
blood months before something shows up on a scan. 

If something is suspicious on an ultrasound combined with blood testing results, then I would get a CT scan.  Otherwise
no radiation scans for me. 

Four years ago tomorrow I had my total hysterectomy and exploratory laparatomy and continue to remain cancer-free.

Takingcontrol58

 

NoTimeForCancer

Nov 15, 2018 - 9:54 am

Sounds like a good day (not

Sounds like a good day (not that everyday isn't) to celebrate.  Continued health to you, takingcontrol