› Forums › General Melanoma Community › LIver Lesion
- This topic has 18 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 10 months ago by
FormerCaregiver.
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- June 11, 2012 at 6:33 pm
My husband is 9 months post diagnosis of metastatic melanoma (had small lump on leg that was removed and diagnosed as metastatic melanoma with unknown primary site. There were no melanoma cells in the epidermis and 3 pathologists confirmed metastatic melanoma). After being seen at Mayo clinic for a second opinion, we have been doing Leukine injections for nearly 9 months with CT scans every 3 months. His scan today demonstrated a 2mm liver nodule. Our local oncologist stated this wasn't anything to worry about. I have two questions:
My husband is 9 months post diagnosis of metastatic melanoma (had small lump on leg that was removed and diagnosed as metastatic melanoma with unknown primary site. There were no melanoma cells in the epidermis and 3 pathologists confirmed metastatic melanoma). After being seen at Mayo clinic for a second opinion, we have been doing Leukine injections for nearly 9 months with CT scans every 3 months. His scan today demonstrated a 2mm liver nodule. Our local oncologist stated this wasn't anything to worry about. I have two questions:
1. Has anyone else had liver lesions this small turn out to be metastatic disease? We are having a repeat scan in 3 months.
2. He will soon hit the 1 year mark and our local oncologist is recommending just having scans completed annually? I thought he would need to continue at least scans every 6 months for a couple years. What are other oncologists recommending for follow up?
I find this disease to be so frustrating because nothing is cut and dry-there are no specific studies that indicate how often testing needs to be completed….I'd rather be on the safe side and have scans more often.
Whew, thanks everyone. I am on this site often and appreciate all the info!
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- June 11, 2012 at 7:37 pm
You don't say how old your husband is but from reading your profile I am guessing not very old as you have a young child. We all agree that this disease is so very frustrating as it has a mind of its own and there doesn't seem to be any censuses as to a standard of care. I am stage 3a and also have what are thought to be liver cysts. I suppose they are, as they haven't grown as fast as you would expect Mel to do. My first Onc was more conservative with scans and just did them every 6 months from the beginning, when he left I switched practices and the new one changed me to every 3 months for the first 2 years and then 6 months for the next 3 years. Both are top notch in the field so I really can't explain why the difference. I just try my best to go with the flow.
Mary
Stage 3
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- June 11, 2012 at 7:37 pm
You don't say how old your husband is but from reading your profile I am guessing not very old as you have a young child. We all agree that this disease is so very frustrating as it has a mind of its own and there doesn't seem to be any censuses as to a standard of care. I am stage 3a and also have what are thought to be liver cysts. I suppose they are, as they haven't grown as fast as you would expect Mel to do. My first Onc was more conservative with scans and just did them every 6 months from the beginning, when he left I switched practices and the new one changed me to every 3 months for the first 2 years and then 6 months for the next 3 years. Both are top notch in the field so I really can't explain why the difference. I just try my best to go with the flow.
Mary
Stage 3
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- June 11, 2012 at 7:37 pm
You don't say how old your husband is but from reading your profile I am guessing not very old as you have a young child. We all agree that this disease is so very frustrating as it has a mind of its own and there doesn't seem to be any censuses as to a standard of care. I am stage 3a and also have what are thought to be liver cysts. I suppose they are, as they haven't grown as fast as you would expect Mel to do. My first Onc was more conservative with scans and just did them every 6 months from the beginning, when he left I switched practices and the new one changed me to every 3 months for the first 2 years and then 6 months for the next 3 years. Both are top notch in the field so I really can't explain why the difference. I just try my best to go with the flow.
Mary
Stage 3
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- June 12, 2012 at 2:44 am
I have to say that annual exams seems like too big of a jump from having them every 3 moths. I went from every 3 months, to every 4, then 6 if no problems.
Cant help much with the liver me question, though I did once have a small cyst on the liver that showed up in a scan and resolved itself later on. I am glad they are doing a rescan in 3 months, just to be on the safe side.
Sorry you are going through this : (
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- June 12, 2012 at 2:44 am
I have to say that annual exams seems like too big of a jump from having them every 3 moths. I went from every 3 months, to every 4, then 6 if no problems.
Cant help much with the liver me question, though I did once have a small cyst on the liver that showed up in a scan and resolved itself later on. I am glad they are doing a rescan in 3 months, just to be on the safe side.
Sorry you are going through this : (
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- June 12, 2012 at 2:44 am
I have to say that annual exams seems like too big of a jump from having them every 3 moths. I went from every 3 months, to every 4, then 6 if no problems.
Cant help much with the liver me question, though I did once have a small cyst on the liver that showed up in a scan and resolved itself later on. I am glad they are doing a rescan in 3 months, just to be on the safe side.
Sorry you are going through this : (
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- June 12, 2012 at 4:20 am
3 month rescan for the tiny liver nodule makes sense. If no growth, repeat scanning should be less often – but how often is up to the doctor and patient to decide. I can see the point of 6 month imaging for a couple of years. You should discuss with doctor after the upcoming scan. Be aware that some docs are more "scan friendly" than others.
Best regards,
Harry
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- June 12, 2012 at 4:20 am
3 month rescan for the tiny liver nodule makes sense. If no growth, repeat scanning should be less often – but how often is up to the doctor and patient to decide. I can see the point of 6 month imaging for a couple of years. You should discuss with doctor after the upcoming scan. Be aware that some docs are more "scan friendly" than others.
Best regards,
Harry
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- June 12, 2012 at 4:20 am
3 month rescan for the tiny liver nodule makes sense. If no growth, repeat scanning should be less often – but how often is up to the doctor and patient to decide. I can see the point of 6 month imaging for a couple of years. You should discuss with doctor after the upcoming scan. Be aware that some docs are more "scan friendly" than others.
Best regards,
Harry
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- June 12, 2012 at 7:20 pm
My initial scans (2006-2008) showed several small lesions on the liver. Thankfully after 7 yrs nothing has progressed and drs believe they are benign cysts.As for more frequent scans, I had PET & CT fullbody scans every 3 months for first, every 6 months for several years and now only have annual PET with blood work. I would make sure your dr is aware of your concerns and press for more frequent scans for right now. Hope this has helped and good luck with everything!
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- June 12, 2012 at 7:20 pm
My initial scans (2006-2008) showed several small lesions on the liver. Thankfully after 7 yrs nothing has progressed and drs believe they are benign cysts.As for more frequent scans, I had PET & CT fullbody scans every 3 months for first, every 6 months for several years and now only have annual PET with blood work. I would make sure your dr is aware of your concerns and press for more frequent scans for right now. Hope this has helped and good luck with everything!
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- June 12, 2012 at 7:20 pm
My initial scans (2006-2008) showed several small lesions on the liver. Thankfully after 7 yrs nothing has progressed and drs believe they are benign cysts.As for more frequent scans, I had PET & CT fullbody scans every 3 months for first, every 6 months for several years and now only have annual PET with blood work. I would make sure your dr is aware of your concerns and press for more frequent scans for right now. Hope this has helped and good luck with everything!
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- June 15, 2012 at 1:55 am
The 2mm liver nodule detected on the CT scan may or may not be melanoma. If it grows significantly, a PET scan will give you a fairly accurate indication regarding the possibility that it might be malignant.
Liver lesions are not uncommon with metastatic disease. However, as melanoma is unpredictable in what it does and how fast it spreads, it is wise to be proactive in dealing with it. Therefore, a CT scan in 3 months (or sooner if there are symptoms) seems to be a reasonable idea. If there is growth, then a PET scan should also be considered.
Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
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- June 15, 2012 at 1:55 am
The 2mm liver nodule detected on the CT scan may or may not be melanoma. If it grows significantly, a PET scan will give you a fairly accurate indication regarding the possibility that it might be malignant.
Liver lesions are not uncommon with metastatic disease. However, as melanoma is unpredictable in what it does and how fast it spreads, it is wise to be proactive in dealing with it. Therefore, a CT scan in 3 months (or sooner if there are symptoms) seems to be a reasonable idea. If there is growth, then a PET scan should also be considered.
Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
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- June 15, 2012 at 1:55 am
The 2mm liver nodule detected on the CT scan may or may not be melanoma. If it grows significantly, a PET scan will give you a fairly accurate indication regarding the possibility that it might be malignant.
Liver lesions are not uncommon with metastatic disease. However, as melanoma is unpredictable in what it does and how fast it spreads, it is wise to be proactive in dealing with it. Therefore, a CT scan in 3 months (or sooner if there are symptoms) seems to be a reasonable idea. If there is growth, then a PET scan should also be considered.
Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
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