Triplet 3rd scan

[GaryG]

This was my first scan without Carboplatin.

Oncologist findings:

Shows internal improvement in right sided tumor. He also pointed to quite few white holes in the affected are and explained that the air is now flowing through the blockage which is a good sign.

He also pointed to an area and called it probably scar tissue. I thought I was too old to live with probabilities and wanted a confirmation. He said we know from experience that it is likely scar tissue and a biopsy requires an open surgery. We will wait on next scans to see if there are changes.

Radiologist:

Two nodes shrank in size from 1.3 cm to 1.1 cm meaning they are smaller by 2 mm each.

A mass in the superior mediastinum which is centrally necrotic and contiguous with the inferior aspect of the left lobe of the thyroid measures 3.0 x 2.2 cm on the current examination compared to 3.1 x 2.7 cm on the prior examination. The change suggests this is probably a metastasis.

I know from previous scans that I have enlarged thyroids and I am seeing a specialist to learn more. My oncologist is not worried indicating that it takes years for thyroid to be cancerous but I am concerned with the radiologist note saying the change suggests this is probably a metastasis. Maybe it is now more solid since it got smaller.

Since I see my oncologist prior to the radiologist report availability I did not have a chance to ask him for clarifications.

Any comments or knowledge about any of it is greatly appreciated.

All and all I am very happy with the report showing 2mm shrinkage but a bit concerned about the thyroids.

1On to the next one in 9 weeks.

[LouT]

Gary,

It sounds to me like things are headed in the right direction, nodules are shrinking, air movement improving and a remaining mass is likely to be scar tissue.  The thyroid enlargement might be of concern, but if we've learned anything with this darned disease it is to wait until we have confirmation of something.  I pray that you'll keep seeing improvements with each scan, that is what we all hope for.  Stay strong, you are doing a great job.

Lou

[Tom Galli]

Gary,

I firmly suggest you realign your oncology consultations to occur after the radiologist report on your scan is complete. You'll need a medical authority to explain the results.

Stay the course.

Tom

[GaryG]

1 hour ago, Tom Galli said:

Gary,

I firmly suggest you realign your oncology consultations to occur after the radiologist report on your scan is complete. You'll need a medical authority to explain the results.

Stay the course.

Tom

Thanks Tom: That's already in motion. What makes it even more difficult is that the oncologist makes the final decision on the infusion and that happens the same day he looks at the CT scan. Now that my cancer is a lot smaller, I must see the results in the right sequence. Thanks again.

[Deb W]

Hi Gary,

The shrinkage is good news for sure!  I understand your frustration with the radiologist report coming before the oncologist appointment.  My experience has been that the radiologist releases the report through the portal and it all seems so much more serious to me and difficult to interpret!  I become frustrated because I'd much rather hear my oncologist's interpretation before it gets released to me.  But, the system isn't set up that way.  

Best,

Deb

 

 

[GaryG]

I will male sure next time my onc appointment comes after the report is released. That should be the right sequence. Thank you for the kind words.

[LexieCat]

Yeah, one thing that helps me is to remember that radiologists' jobs are mainly to identify and "flag" any abnormalities. They are NOT cancer experts. They can say stuff like "X change in the scan indicates probable metastasis" but they are going on statistical probabilities. Your oncologist knows your history, your treatment, and all the other factors that go into figuring out what's actually happening with you and your cancer. 

Hoping you get some good news soon!