Update after CT Scan

16 years 5 months ago #8777 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Update after CT Scan
I see your point...unfortunately thats all they have to go by. I would ask about the PET/CT....they may not be using it as its a very expensive test.
I'd sure ask.....


What a PET scan shows
A PET scan can help to

Show up a cancer
Stage a cancer
Show whether a lump is cancer or not
Show whether a cancer has spread to other parts of the body
Decide the best treatment for your cancer
Show how well chemotherapy is working
Show the difference between scar tissue and active cancer tissue
Pat

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

16 years 5 months ago #8774 by momof4
Replied by momof4 on topic Update after CT Scan
Pat,

The PET Scan is available at Wake Forest.

Caregiver for my Wonderful Husband Angelo, who has Metastatic Bladder Cancer.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

16 years 5 months ago #8773 by momof4
Replied by momof4 on topic Update after CT Scan
Hi Pat,

Thanks for your imput.

To re explain the situation.

He had a CT Scan done in June. Chemo didn't start until the end of Aug. He went through 2 rounds of cisplat./gem. chemo and then had another CT scan yesterday. They are comparing the CT from June with the one done yesterday. To me that doesn't seem like a fair comparison.

They are saying that they see growth in one lymph node, but my point is how big did that same lymph node get between June-Aug? Maybe it is actually smaller than it was in Aug. Do you understand my point? Does it make sense?

Also, we have an appointment with the oncologist today at 2:30. If possible can you get back to me with any other questions we should ask??

Thanks again Pat,
Karen

Caregiver for my Wonderful Husband Angelo, who has Metastatic Bladder Cancer.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

16 years 5 months ago #8772 by Patricia
Replied by Patricia on topic Update after CT Scan
The PET/CT combo is probably only in major cancer centers and university hospitals as its extremely expensive and requires lots of training by the radiologists who read the scans but it offers a three dimentional view of lymph nodes which can be valuable in determining efficacy of chemo treatment. As for comparing CT scans i always request the same radiologist to read my scans as he can look back at previous scans and determine any change..they are watching a "scar" on my lung which has been there forever and even he has been remiss on one occasion of not looking back at previous scans which i caught and asked him to please look again and revise the report which he did with apology. Every time i have a chest x-ray a red flag goes up and i explain yes i know there is a scar in my lungs...and i ask for my regular radiologist to look at it. I always get a copy of my reports and if i read something different i go right back to him and ask him to explain....i'm his royal pain in the butt.
I guess i was confused because you said she was comparing the pre chemo Ct scans to the present scan and that would be the right thing to do as it did show a reduction of the size and that chemo is seemingly helping. Did i read that right?
But why would they cancel his present course of chemo? Or is that back on track?
Heres a link to PET/CT scanshttp://www.petscaninfo.com/zportal/portals/pat/petct_basics

Sorry for my confusion!! Pat

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

16 years 5 months ago #8764 by momof4
Replied by momof4 on topic Update after CT Scan
Patricia,

He had a CT Scan after his TUR on June 21 when he was diagnosed. The pathology report came back that there was cancer in the bladder Muscle evasive. They also saw an enlarged lymph node, and biopsied that. Again cancer. He was then referred to Wake Forest Oncology (Dr. Frank Torti) on Aug 26th, after the consult, they decided to do Chemo followed by surgery then probably chemo again. He then had a bone scan at Wake Forest that showed the cancer had now spread to the bone and there were bone leisions on the ribs, upper right shoulder, pelvis, sacrum, etc... Now, surgery was out. Chemo started to see if they could put the cancer in remission for a few months...They gave him possibly a year with the chemo...

What next? Should he have a PET? I am requesting another Bone Scan so at least we can see what has happened in the bone since the chemo started.

Any other suggestions would be great.

Karen

Caregiver for my Wonderful Husband Angelo, who has Metastatic Bladder Cancer.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

16 years 5 months ago #8761 by wendy
Replied by wendy on topic Update after CT Scan
Yes, be your own best advocate, it can save your life.

This post makes me glad I can have all follow up (for breast cancer)done at the same institution, over the past 7 or so years I've had tests checking for six different types of mets; Every test was done after seeing a different specialist than my breast onc. I am just very happy that all the info and results are on one computer.

Keep us posted.
Wendy

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Cynthiaeddieksara.anne