Home Forums All Categories Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer CT Scan results………..mixed views

  • CT Scan results………..mixed views

    Posted by Maria on June 13, 2008 at 7:47 pm

    Seen my Oncologist this morning for my CT scan results.

    Good news:
    Chest clear. Liver, spleen, gallbladder, pancreas unremarkable.
    Nephorostomy tube causing no problems.
    The tumor has shrunk to 1.6 x 1.8cm whereas before the chemo my tumor engulfed ¾ of my bladder.

    Not so good:
    Reports states some retroperitoneal adenopathy with left periaortic node, several smaller nodes seen at the level of the renal vessels.
    Retroperitoneal node likely metastatic.

    Anybody had this on their report and what was your outcome?
    Anybody had an infection and CT scan, did it show enlarged nodes?

    My Oncologist said that he is not particularly worried about the report and believes the node enlargement is due to the fact that I had a bladder infection and was on antibiotics at the time of the scan.

    One part of me wants to believe him so much and believe that my cancer has not spread. Yet I have another feeling telling me it has spread which is causing me much distress.
    My husband refuses to believe it has spread and said he believes the Oncologist is right, he is very experienced etc.

    My oncologist said he would phone my surgeon this afternoon to discuss the report before I see him next week. He wants my husband to keep him informed after I have had the RC and said to leave a message and he will speak to him. I am pleased that my husband has been offered this support.

    I can’t really settle now until I have had the RC done and the lymph nodes tested.

    I hate this, I worry so much about my family, especially my son. I have to get through this!

    Leigh replied 16 years, 8 months ago 6 Members · 9 Replies
  • 9 Replies
  • leigh's avatar

    leigh

    Member
    June 17, 2008 at 9:05 am

    Dear Maria,

    Please try not to worry over the results of the scan and focus on staying positive for your RC which will promote a speedier recovery.

    When you have the RC they will take it all away along with many nodes.

    I am thinking of you and wish you all the very best.

    Leigh


    Leigh, 39
    Dx July 2007
    TURBT July 2007
    RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
    Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
    TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
    4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum
  • melodie's avatar

    melodie

    Member
    June 15, 2008 at 3:44 am

    Maria,

    I’m so glad that the chemo is over for you and you are very close to putting your RC behind you. I am certain if your oncologist had some real concerns about the CT scan, he would be straight forward and would tell you. Worry only takes energy away from us and now you need to do your best to rest and recover from the chemo so you can have energy for undergoing the RC. Please let us know the date as soon as you can….I would think it would be very soon. You will be so much more at peace once you have all of this behind you. We’re all here to cheer you on…keep positive thoughts going…a good attitude is half the battle. Hang in there.
    Hugs….Melodie


    Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright
  • maria's avatar

    maria

    Member
    June 15, 2008 at 3:21 am

    Thanks you for your support, there is times I do not know what I would do without this forum to express my concerns.
    I am trying to put things into perspective and have to believe that my Oncologist would tell me if he was concerned about the enlarged node. Otherwise I will drive myself sick with worry. I will feel better on Wednesday after I discuss with the surgeon his opinion. Will update again then.
    Thank you
    Maria x

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    June 14, 2008 at 1:00 pm

    Maria they saw a 1cm node in my chest from a chest xray so I got a CT Scan and it was nothing the xray was just a reflection of light somehow and not a node at all so you never know.
    Also before I got my chemo last year my oncologist saw many nodes in my chest he went to another part of the hospital to get another Dr. to review said he be right back man was I nervous. Here I had just had my left hip replaced in Sept and this was Jan and the nodes turned out to be some kind of aspirations from that surgery thank God. Good Luck, Joe ;)

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    June 14, 2008 at 11:53 am

    Maria,
    Good luck for the surgery. It is best to get the nodes out and tested so you will know for once and all what is going on. Let me know if there is any useful information you need.
    Positive thoughts from England!
    Betsy Mae
    x

  • julie's avatar

    julie

    Member
    June 14, 2008 at 4:42 am

    Maria, I don’t know what it means when the report mentions seeing a node. There was an inguinal note noted on Dick’s last CT scan and the oncologist said he wasn’t worried about it. So I think we have to trust their judgement. As Patricia says take the suckers out of there.
    Fantastic that your tumor shrunk. Julie


    Volunteer Coordinator
    ABLSC
  • 's avatar

    Guest
    June 14, 2008 at 1:33 am

    Maria,
    Go for the positive, its much less stressful, believe in what he says, its easy to say to someone in your shoes but,,he has the knowledge and the degree,,so believe HIM, and I know he is right, take care, I will keep you in my prayers,
    Ginger

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    June 14, 2008 at 12:07 am

    Go with the oncologists gut feeling and make sure the surgeon takes those suckers out of there……….wishing you the best Maria……….Pat

  • harry-s's avatar

    harry-s

    Member
    June 13, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    Hi Maria – Glad to hear you have your results and glad about the positive points. Although I can certainly understand your distress and worry, I would listen to your oncologist who said not to worry about the nodes due to the infection, it makes sense that they would be enlarged with an infection. Many times in my life I have had a sore throat that causes my neck glands to swell fighting off the infection I have. Positive thinking and prayer are in order. I will be doing both and I hope you will too. Your husband sounds like he is a very supportive caregiver, that is important. You will get through this. Prayers for strength and encouragement and hugs for support. Love and prayers, Margot

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