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Topic: Liver lesions down, Lung lesions up! What the...?

Forum: Stage IV and Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY — A place for those managing the ups & downs of a Stage IV/metastatic breast cancer diagnosis. Please respect that this forum is for Stage IV members only or those posting on behalf of a Stage IV patient. There is a separate forum for Stage IV Caregivers/Family in "Support and Community Connections".

Posted on: Jul 7, 2012 12:32 PM

Cydz wrote:

I have a question. Had scans on Thurs, results showed lesions in liver had shrunk but lung lesions have increased slightly. We are talking millimeters on the lung lesions one only increasing by 1 millimeter and another by about 5-6 millimeters. This second one has almost doubled in size. Here's what I don't understand. My oncologist said these things can flucuate and she is not concerned about them and the big picture is that the lesions in my liver are responding beautifully to treatment. I guess I don't get how doubling in size can be not anything to be concerned about. When they shrunk that much we were all thrilled. I do know that things can get bigger before they get smaller, but the doubling part is what has me concerned. Anyone have any experience like this? thanks

BRCA1+ Recon with TE 5/28/10 Exchange surgery completed 9/1/10 dx with stage 1 melanoma 6/09 Prophylactic oophorectomy 12/10
Dx 4/13/2009, IDC, 3cm, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
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Jul 7, 2012 12:38 PM Karen2012 wrote:

I was on Aromasin (at least that's what they call it in Canada) and I had what they called a mixed response, some tumours grew, others shrunk. I have lung mets and some within the lung shrunk and some grew. Makes no sense, does it?

Karen
Dx 5/13/2011, IDC, Stage IV, Grade 3, mets, ER+, HER2-Surgery 05/05/1992 Lumpectomy (Right); Lymph Node Removal: Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (Right)Chemotherapy 06/15/1992 fluorouracilHormonal Therapy 06/10/2011 ArimidexHormonal Therapy 07/07/2011 AromasinRadiation Therapy 11/05/2011 ExternalChemotherapy 12/20/2011 Abraxane
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Jul 7, 2012 12:47 PM PetVet wrote:

I also have lung lesions that they have trouble tracking.  I have three measurable nodules ranging from 5 mm to 9 mm.  They tell me that since the CT scan takes images every 5 mm, it's possible to have some fluctuation because you're never positioned exactly the same in the scanner.  For example, if the CT catches the tip of one of the nodules it will look smaller, then next time it may catch the middle of the nodule so it will look larger.

 Makes it difficult to wrap my head around it.  I want to know!  They also tell me that since the nodules are so small, CT is the best way to measure.  They say they are too small to be picked up reliably by a PET scan.  Not sure how I feel about that.

What scans did you just finish?

DCIS in 2007 - right breast, ER-, PR-, No Her2 testing. Double mastectomy 2007. Diagnosed with Stage 4 - lung mets in November, 2011. ER-, PR-, HER2+.
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Jul 7, 2012 01:23 PM Cydz wrote:

These were ct scans of the pelvis abdomen and lungs.

BRCA1+ Recon with TE 5/28/10 Exchange surgery completed 9/1/10 dx with stage 1 melanoma 6/09 Prophylactic oophorectomy 12/10
Dx 4/13/2009, IDC, 3cm, Grade 3, 0/1 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
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Jul 7, 2012 02:07 PM PetVet wrote:

Yep, that's what I have every 3 months.

DCIS in 2007 - right breast, ER-, PR-, No Her2 testing. Double mastectomy 2007. Diagnosed with Stage 4 - lung mets in November, 2011. ER-, PR-, HER2+.
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Jul 15, 2012 09:27 PM menan wrote:

I had 4 spots in my right lung on my PET Scan earlier this month and my Onc is not concerned about them either.  I am on Halaven and this scan was much improved from the last one!  The  radiologist, if I understood this, took CT pictures of these spots and said they could be spots where cancer may adhere in the future or be scar tissue in my lymphs.  THey were the size of a pea and smaller.  THe important thing to me was they aren't irritating my lungs so fluid isn't collecting.  Since I believe the best medicine is a positive attitude, I like my Onc thinking positive too!

Nancy B
Dx 12/22/2007, IBC, Stage IV, Grade 3, 14/15 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-