Re: CT/PET scan results (STEPH) question

It is my understanding that you are some sort of doctor so I would like
to ask you some specific questions regarding this CT/PET scan results
because after re reading them I am in disagreement with my onc's opinion
and really see no evidence other than a rising CEA of any new cancer
activity..

1. They said they saw "mild focal hypermetabolic activity in the
inferior most region of the pelvis within range of the rectum, this
therefore could be relativey easily correlated with direct visualization
and palpatation. It is most likely physiologic." meaning normal
naturally occuring). They say no mass is seen in the area. I have an
anal fissure clearly visible on the outsiide and unknown how far within
it goes that is due to problems of diahrea and constipation from chemo.
Could this tear and subsequent inflamation be what is lighting up?

2. they said some more mild diffuse hypermetabolic activity is seen in
the sigmoid colon, this correlates with numerous diverticula seen on
the CT portion of the scan. they see no evidence of abscess formation or
significant infiltration of the fat however on the CT portion of the
scan. I was told after surgery that there was diverticula issues, in
fact they were uncertain if My tumor was cancer or a diverticula that
had walled off and abscessed prior to surgery. Could the diverticula be
what's causing the pet to light up and not cancer?

3. They said there were some lymph nodes showing on the CT scan in the
middle mediastinal region but they were not hypermetabolic so I don't
know what to make of that but I would assume that since they were not
hypermetabolic, they would not be an issue at present.

4. they said there was some mildly hypermetabolic activity in the spine
but the CT scan images in these areas show degenerative changes and this
most likely is reactive, bone scan from 12/05 was unremarkable. I have
had issues with arthritis pain, discs and a tailbone break for some
time so I take it that these issues are causing the pet to light in
these areas and not cancer

I don't really see these as issues to cause alarm, in fact it sounds to
me like these are issues of inflamation and not cancer and I question if
they warrant adding avastin and an additional 6 months of chemo.Or am I
missing something here?
Statistics show that stage 4 colon w/ mets to peritonial area have
approx. 15-19 month life expectancy with chemo. 5 of those months have
already passed of having about 3-4 days every 2 weeks that I'm not ill
from chemo. Is it wise A. to add a drug that is known to cause bowel
perferations to a patient who has pretty clear presenting diverticula
issues which in themselves can cause infections and perferations without
the aid of avastin.
B. take 6 more months of a possible 15-19 for a total of 11 months sick
on chemo which most likely when it ends will leave me too weak to do
anything enjoyable with what time may be left.

My onc now says instead of the original 15-19 months stated in the
beginning that she now beleives what I have is slow growng and that it
can possibly be managed with 6 months on and 6 months off chemo and with
luck if I respond well to the drugs may buy me 3-5 years. I don't see
how she got that conclusion from this ct/pet scan. The only thing that I
see that indicates any cancer activity and that I can't explain is the
rising CEA (2.5 feb, 2.7 march, 4.3 april & 5.8 may). My rbc is within
range at 13, wbc is OK at 6.5, iron is back to within normal range,
kidney & liver functions numbers seem normal but am having pain in liver
area which so far is unexplained as nothng has shown up in numbers or
scans. I can only assume that the chemo is overworking an ex drinkers
probably weakened liver and I'm having a constant pain in the same area
of the original tumor and pain s about the same level as when 2 fist
sized tumor was there (ascending colon) but nothing is showing on the
scans.

I'm thinking that this CT.PET scan was not nearly as bad as onc led me
to think, even she started out the explanation of it by saying it was
inconclusive. I'm thinking maybe a sigmoidoscopy with maybe some
biopsies in the areas lighting up might be adviseable first to see what
we are dealing with before wasting a chemical in our arsenal that might
be useful down the road. What is your opinion?




.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Chemo Fog?
    ... there is actually something called chemo fog. ... Chemotherapy Fog Is No Longer Ignored as Illusion ... On an Internet chat room popular with breast cancer survivors, ... Abrupt menopause, which often follows treatment, also leaves many women ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)
  • Play the Odds: Supplements and Chemo
    ... Play the Odds: Supplements and Chemo ... Drug Information Specialist, BC Cancer Agency ... what herbs and supplements could do to this balance. ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)
  • Re: Chemo Fog?
    ... there is actually something called chemo fog. ... Chemotherapy Fog Is No Longer Ignored as Illusion ... On an Internet chat room popular with breast cancer survivors, ... Abrupt menopause, which often follows treatment, also leaves many women ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)
  • Chemo Fog?
    ... there is actually something called chemo fog. ... On an Internet chat room popular with breast cancer survivors, ... chemo brain into a stand-up comedy act. ... Abrupt menopause, which often follows treatment, also leaves many women ...
    (alt.support.arthritis)