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Stage 3 a and worried about stage 4
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Stage 3 a and worried about stage 4

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage 3 a and worried about stage 4

  • Post
    • March 24, 2012 at 5:11 am
    Kim41
    Participant

      Abnormal PET scan Feb 2/1/12. Post surgical changes seen in left groin. Questionable more slight density in left groin when current exam compared to last PET/CT. Some new areas of hypermetabolic activity seen in involving portions of the neck on the right side  and at the level of the right paratracheal region and right hilum and axilla are nonspecific. The spleen appears more hypermetabolic when compared to the last PET/CT scan. The possibility for progression of disease is considered.    My melanoma specialist said he is unimpressed by results of this PET scan.

      Abnormal PET scan Feb 2/1/12. Post surgical changes seen in left groin. Questionable more slight density in left groin when current exam compared to last PET/CT. Some new areas of hypermetabolic activity seen in involving portions of the neck on the right side  and at the level of the right paratracheal region and right hilum and axilla are nonspecific. The spleen appears more hypermetabolic when compared to the last PET/CT scan. The possibility for progression of disease is considered.    My melanoma specialist said he is unimpressed by results of this PET scan. What do you fellow people think. It is March 23and I have been feeling very tired and weak in the last several weeks with pain in my right flank and in both right and left lung bases. Not sure if I should be concerned or not. I have my next scan May  23rd. Should I go to the doctor before that?. Also having pain on and off above both clavicles right and left. Mostly concerned about pain in lateral rib and back area. Has anyone else had this pain. Maybe its nothing to worry about. feeling so tired lately though. I would welcome some feedback. Thanks

               Kim

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    • Replies
        • March 24, 2012 at 5:36 am
        washoegal
        Participant

          I was dx stage 3a in March 2010.  I had my first "abnormal" scan this last time (Jan)  Cysts showed up in the liver and what the Onc.  says is Goiter showed up in the thyroid.  Apparently the thyroid thing was there before because there was "remarkable growth"!  I'm going along with the liver cysts and willing to watch those but since there was remarkable growth on the "whatever" in the thyroid I asked for a biopsy next visit so the Onc agreed to a FNA.  I've tried not to worry about it, I can't feel anything.  But I don't want to ignore anything either. 

          To me 3 months is not too long to wait but if it is really stressing you, call your oncologist and talk to him.  One of the problems with these PET/CT is they show everything.  They showed up all my broken bones, no gall bladder, etc.  If the doctor says just wait why don't you try some relaxation. A good massage, yoga or whatever might work for you.  Take some time out for yourself.

          Here's hoping it's nothing .

          Mary

          Stage 3

            • March 24, 2012 at 1:53 pm
            Kim41
            Participant

              Thanks Mary for responding. I dont think 3 months is too long to wait for the PET/CT scan. I am just not feeling very well lately which may not even be related melanoma and thats what I am hoping. I also have nodules on my thyroid and had a thyroid uptake scan that was normal but the nodules still show up on my scans. I hope everything is ok with your thyroid. Maybe it is just a goiter because they can get big quickly. Positive thoughts for both of us!     

                                                                                                                                          Kim

              • March 24, 2012 at 1:53 pm
              Kim41
              Participant

                Thanks Mary for responding. I dont think 3 months is too long to wait for the PET/CT scan. I am just not feeling very well lately which may not even be related melanoma and thats what I am hoping. I also have nodules on my thyroid and had a thyroid uptake scan that was normal but the nodules still show up on my scans. I hope everything is ok with your thyroid. Maybe it is just a goiter because they can get big quickly. Positive thoughts for both of us!     

                                                                                                                                            Kim

                • March 24, 2012 at 1:53 pm
                Kim41
                Participant

                  Thanks Mary for responding. I dont think 3 months is too long to wait for the PET/CT scan. I am just not feeling very well lately which may not even be related melanoma and thats what I am hoping. I also have nodules on my thyroid and had a thyroid uptake scan that was normal but the nodules still show up on my scans. I hope everything is ok with your thyroid. Maybe it is just a goiter because they can get big quickly. Positive thoughts for both of us!     

                                                                                                                                              Kim

                • March 24, 2012 at 5:36 am
                washoegal
                Participant

                  I was dx stage 3a in March 2010.  I had my first "abnormal" scan this last time (Jan)  Cysts showed up in the liver and what the Onc.  says is Goiter showed up in the thyroid.  Apparently the thyroid thing was there before because there was "remarkable growth"!  I'm going along with the liver cysts and willing to watch those but since there was remarkable growth on the "whatever" in the thyroid I asked for a biopsy next visit so the Onc agreed to a FNA.  I've tried not to worry about it, I can't feel anything.  But I don't want to ignore anything either. 

                  To me 3 months is not too long to wait but if it is really stressing you, call your oncologist and talk to him.  One of the problems with these PET/CT is they show everything.  They showed up all my broken bones, no gall bladder, etc.  If the doctor says just wait why don't you try some relaxation. A good massage, yoga or whatever might work for you.  Take some time out for yourself.

                  Here's hoping it's nothing .

                  Mary

                  Stage 3

                  • March 24, 2012 at 5:36 am
                  washoegal
                  Participant

                    I was dx stage 3a in March 2010.  I had my first "abnormal" scan this last time (Jan)  Cysts showed up in the liver and what the Onc.  says is Goiter showed up in the thyroid.  Apparently the thyroid thing was there before because there was "remarkable growth"!  I'm going along with the liver cysts and willing to watch those but since there was remarkable growth on the "whatever" in the thyroid I asked for a biopsy next visit so the Onc agreed to a FNA.  I've tried not to worry about it, I can't feel anything.  But I don't want to ignore anything either. 

                    To me 3 months is not too long to wait but if it is really stressing you, call your oncologist and talk to him.  One of the problems with these PET/CT is they show everything.  They showed up all my broken bones, no gall bladder, etc.  If the doctor says just wait why don't you try some relaxation. A good massage, yoga or whatever might work for you.  Take some time out for yourself.

                    Here's hoping it's nothing .

                    Mary

                    Stage 3

                    • March 25, 2012 at 11:54 pm
                    gabsound
                    Participant
                      Kim,

                      I wonder if your Dr would order an ultrasound on the areas that are concerning you which could be compared to the Pet/CT and/or repeated to watch for changes.

                      Compared to PET/CT ultrasound is inexpensive, doesn’t involve radiation and quick and easy to have done.

                      Just a thought,

                      Julie in Las Vegas

                        • March 26, 2012 at 7:13 am
                        Kim41
                        Participant

                          Thanks Julie,  I think that sounds like a good idea. I go to my family doctor tomorrow and I will ask about that. I am continuing to have the right flank pain and pain in my mid back on both sides on and off.  Just hope its unrelated to the melanoma. Its hard not to get anxious about new pains. I am a nurse and that does not help things sometimes.

                          • March 26, 2012 at 7:13 am
                          Kim41
                          Participant

                            Thanks Julie,  I think that sounds like a good idea. I go to my family doctor tomorrow and I will ask about that. I am continuing to have the right flank pain and pain in my mid back on both sides on and off.  Just hope its unrelated to the melanoma. Its hard not to get anxious about new pains. I am a nurse and that does not help things sometimes.

                            • March 26, 2012 at 7:13 am
                            Kim41
                            Participant

                              Thanks Julie,  I think that sounds like a good idea. I go to my family doctor tomorrow and I will ask about that. I am continuing to have the right flank pain and pain in my mid back on both sides on and off.  Just hope its unrelated to the melanoma. Its hard not to get anxious about new pains. I am a nurse and that does not help things sometimes.

                            • March 25, 2012 at 11:54 pm
                            gabsound
                            Participant
                              Kim,

                              I wonder if your Dr would order an ultrasound on the areas that are concerning you which could be compared to the Pet/CT and/or repeated to watch for changes.

                              Compared to PET/CT ultrasound is inexpensive, doesn’t involve radiation and quick and easy to have done.

                              Just a thought,

                              Julie in Las Vegas

                              • March 25, 2012 at 11:54 pm
                              gabsound
                              Participant
                                Kim,

                                I wonder if your Dr would order an ultrasound on the areas that are concerning you which could be compared to the Pet/CT and/or repeated to watch for changes.

                                Compared to PET/CT ultrasound is inexpensive, doesn’t involve radiation and quick and easy to have done.

                                Just a thought,

                                Julie in Las Vegas

                            Viewing 5 reply threads
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