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Keytruda and Lung Reticulation – Anyone experience this?
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Keytruda and Lung Reticulation – Anyone experience this?

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Keytruda and Lung Reticulation – Anyone experience this?

  • Post
    • August 27, 2018 at 7:16 pm
    mbrrna
    Participant

      Mom had acral lentiginous melonoma on her foot, which spread to the groin/abdominal lymph nodes, but no organs. Had WLE in February, and just finished her eighth Keytruda. Past scans have shown stable disease, however her latest chest CT states the following:

      "Interval progression in peripheral reticulation within both lungs suspicious for progression of post radiation changes or possibly drug reaction. A few small mediastinal lymph nodes have slightly enlarged in the interval and may be reactive to parenchymal changes."

      Mom's never had radiation so the Dr thinks it may be related to Keytruda. I've tried researching, but I don't understand what reticulation or parenchymal means.

      Has anyone experienced this and could explain what it is? The Dr is repeating the CT in six weeks. Could this mean the end of Keytruda treatments?

      Thank you!

      Amanda

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        • August 27, 2018 at 11:25 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Hi Amanda, 

          It is hard to say, but it sounds like fancy radiology speak for inflammation in the lungs and the lymph nodes down the center of the chest. Reticulation is simply a descriptor of a pattern, usually those that look like a fine network of increased markings that can show up in rashes or on films.  Parenchymal in this context is probably referring to the lung tissue itself.

          So basically = inflammation in the area.  What is more important than the scan is….How is your mom?  Any cough?  Wheeze?  Shortness of breath?  These are signs of lung inflammation (also called "pneumonitis") that is very common when patients are on immunotherapy like keytruda.

          If your mom is having any adverse symptoms her doc may need to check her and consider inhaled corticosteroids and/or albuterol…drugs used often by asthma patients.  If she is doing well, repeating the scan sounds reasonable.

          Hope this helps.  Celeste

           

            • August 28, 2018 at 12:29 am
            mbrrna
            Participant

              Thank you so much for the explanation Celeste. Mom has some shortness of breath if she walks, so will keep an eye on it. Unfortunately she's been pretty much confined to bed or a chair since the surgery in February, so we thought it was probably due to inactivity (her foot has still not healed completely from the skin graft).

              Thanks again. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the help you and the other warriors provide here – I'm an avid daily reader!

              Amanda

               

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