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Lymph Nodes that lit up “brighter” than previous scan
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Lymph Nodes that lit up “brighter” than previous scan

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Lymph Nodes that lit up “brighter” than previous scan

  • Post
    • January 25, 2018 at 8:18 pm
    Newmanbell
    Participant

      Hi everybody,

      Here is a question for all my experts on this board.  My husband (Stage 3b) had a petscan last week.  His scan 3 months ago showed that 3 lymph nodes were mildly bright and wee bit larger.  I believe our Oncologist said he did not think they were cancerous, possibly carbon filled due to my husband being a contractor.  Fast forward to last week with recent scan and those 3 lymph nodes are now a bit brighter than 3 months ago.  Any one have this experience?  He has had 5 infusions of Opdivo and they are going to have him have 4 more than do another scan.

      Donna  

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        • January 25, 2018 at 11:03 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi Donna, didn't want to leave you hanging for an answer, but I haven't had petscans just regular Ct scans. My understanding is that you should have uptake # from previous scan to compare to most recent scan. Hopefully Jenn or some other member that has gotten regular petscans will chime in and give more guidance!!! Best Wishes!!!Ed

          • January 25, 2018 at 11:19 pm
          jennunicorn
          Participant

            Opdivo will make lymph nodes light up, they are being reactive. I can't tell you how many PET scans I have had with lymph nodes lighting up sometimes brighter one time and less another and visa versa. I would get CTs with my PET scans and that would tell us if something is lighting up and looking suspicious in the CT also.. if it was normal size in CT and PET FDG uptake was low (under 7) then it was reactive and nothing to worry about. I wouldn't be worried since being in the middle of treatment this is quite normal. 

            • January 26, 2018 at 6:03 pm
            miaka618
            Participant

              My experience is a little bit different. Every lymph node that lit up for consecutive scans were eventually biopsied and came back positive which bumped me up to a 3C. I have had about 6 additional positive nodes removed. At the same time, I haven't been on any extensive treatment with the exception of radiation. Right now we are keeping our eyes on 3 additional lymph nodes that are lighting up and increased in size, but their activity has downgraded a bit since the last scan.

              I would say that because he is on treatment, the lymph nodes might be reactive and it is best just to keep an eye on them.

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