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PETScan Results and more

Forums General Melanoma Community PETScan Results and more

  • Post
    Aloha14
    Participant

      The good news is No Melanoma seen.

      This is what the PET says about the groin lumps:

      Along the lateral aspect of the left lower extremity there is linear
      increased FDG activity along the surgical margin compatible with ongoing
      healing from recent surgery. SUV max for this site is 3.0.

      Within the left inguinal region there is postoperative changes and
      low-grade FDG activity surrounding a seroma as well as at the surgical
      incision margin best identified on image 281 with FDG SUV max of 2.6. There
      is also a large fluid collection suggestive of seroma versus lymphocele
      best seen on image 287 measuring 4.5 x 5 cm. 

      This is what the ultrasunds say about the groin lumps:

      In the ventral left superior/proximal thigh subcutaneous soft tissues, the
      subcutaneous fat appears heterogeneous, compatible with diffuse
      subcutaneous edema. Color-flow evaluation demonstrates several scattered
      small foci of vascularity, without significant hypervascularity to suggest
      cellulitis, but please correlate clinically.

      In the edematous left superior/proximal thigh tissues, corresponding to the
      apparent multilobular fluid collection seen on the non-contrast
      attenuation-correction CT of the same-day PET-CT, there are 3 main
      avascular fluid collections seen (measured by the sonographer as follows):

      1. The most medial collection is the smallest collection, measuring 2.8 x
      1.0 x 1.5 cm. On video image 12, there are a few subtle internal linear
      echoes which may represent internal fibrin strands in a seroma.

      2. Next most medial and largest collection also appears more
      multilobulated, extending more superiorly/cranially and more superficially
      (as superficial as 0.3 cm deep to the skin surface), measuring 3.8 x 4.1 x
      3.0 cm. On initial video images, there are more numerous internal linear
      and low-level echoes, compatible with an evolving hematoma/seroma.

      3. The most lateral and second largest collection is associated with
      echogenic surgical clips and has rounder shape, and also extends more
      superiorly/cranially, measuring 3.6 x 2.5 x 2.9 cm. This collection appears
      more echolucent than the largest collection, compatible with a more
      liquefied seroma.

      Anyone understand the reports?

      I scheduled an app't next with the surgeon not the resident to find out if she still thinksthese will just get absorbed on their own. 

      One more thing,

      The Ctscan portion (non contrast enhanced) only and picked up a 4mm  middle lobe pulmonary nodule on my lung.This is really causing big anxiety for me. I've never had a scan of my lungs however this seems to close to when I got the melanoma. I'm thinking I should have a CTscan to check this out. What do you think? Do lung nodules turn into Melanoma?

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          Spots in lungs are the most common things found in scans for any person. I had lung spots show up over the summer, they were gone within a few months. My onc said you could scan 100 healthy people and half or more would show lung spots that are nothing and usually go away. Not something to worry about. The way it works is they have it noted now, then after your next scan in a few months they will check the same area again, it might still be there or it might be gone. If it gets larger, then they would investigate further, but it's not something that will be worrisome to the doctor right now so try not to let it worry you too.

          jennunicorn
          Participant

            Spots in lungs are the most common things found in scans for any person. I had lung spots show up over the summer, they were gone within a few months. My onc said you could scan 100 healthy people and half or more would show lung spots that are nothing and usually go away. Not something to worry about. The way it works is they have it noted now, then after your next scan in a few months they will check the same area again, it might still be there or it might be gone. If it gets larger, then they would investigate further, but it's not something that will be worrisome to the doctor right now so try not to let it worry you too.

            jennunicorn
            Participant

              Spots in lungs are the most common things found in scans for any person. I had lung spots show up over the summer, they were gone within a few months. My onc said you could scan 100 healthy people and half or more would show lung spots that are nothing and usually go away. Not something to worry about. The way it works is they have it noted now, then after your next scan in a few months they will check the same area again, it might still be there or it might be gone. If it gets larger, then they would investigate further, but it's not something that will be worrisome to the doctor right now so try not to let it worry you too.

              Aloha14
              Participant

                Thanks Jenn, your comments helped relieve my mind. 

                Aloha14
                Participant

                  Thanks Jenn, your comments helped relieve my mind. 

                  Aloha14
                  Participant

                    Thanks Jenn, your comments helped relieve my mind. 

                    Buddy0513
                    Participant
                      I agree with Jenn here. My mom has been monitored for years with her lung nodules, but even when she had the PET scan after being diagnosed with melanoma, they never showed up as anything and have been the same size for 6+ years. Other family members are similar. Some nodules have appeared, stayed for 5 years and poof they went away. It would be a good idea to get the CT scan so you can start a “record” so to speak…that way you can monitor 6 months to a year down the road if there were any changes. Would be better to be safe than just assume.

                      Hope all turns out well for you with the scans!

                      Buddy0513
                      Participant
                        I agree with Jenn here. My mom has been monitored for years with her lung nodules, but even when she had the PET scan after being diagnosed with melanoma, they never showed up as anything and have been the same size for 6+ years. Other family members are similar. Some nodules have appeared, stayed for 5 years and poof they went away. It would be a good idea to get the CT scan so you can start a “record” so to speak…that way you can monitor 6 months to a year down the road if there were any changes. Would be better to be safe than just assume.

                        Hope all turns out well for you with the scans!

                        Buddy0513
                        Participant
                          I agree with Jenn here. My mom has been monitored for years with her lung nodules, but even when she had the PET scan after being diagnosed with melanoma, they never showed up as anything and have been the same size for 6+ years. Other family members are similar. Some nodules have appeared, stayed for 5 years and poof they went away. It would be a good idea to get the CT scan so you can start a “record” so to speak…that way you can monitor 6 months to a year down the road if there were any changes. Would be better to be safe than just assume.

                          Hope all turns out well for you with the scans!

                          debwray
                          Participant

                            Hi Aloha,

                            The scans give you information about the hard tissue and the likely source of the fluid filled lumps.

                            They think they are likely to be seromas- the body tends to hate a void – ie where your lymph nodes were removed and it has filled the space with serous fluid. The one they say is seroma /haematoma has had some blood within it.

                            The healing tissue has an above average blood flow to it ( you know when you damage something it is often warm and red whilst healing ) and they have suggested that your wound shound be checked in clinic to make sure it looks ok and no signs of infection. The suggested fibrin strands- indicate ongoing healing processes as your body starts to reorganise and heal. The second biggest fluid collection has not yet started to show evidence of becoming less liquid- but give it time.

                            As for the small lung nodule- these seem to be very common- my sister in law had a couple  show up on x ray and scan- but they resolved by the next scan. If your docs aren't overly concerned I would take my lead from them.

                            The scan results are good news….

                            Deb

                            debwray
                            Participant

                              Hi Aloha,

                              The scans give you information about the hard tissue and the likely source of the fluid filled lumps.

                              They think they are likely to be seromas- the body tends to hate a void – ie where your lymph nodes were removed and it has filled the space with serous fluid. The one they say is seroma /haematoma has had some blood within it.

                              The healing tissue has an above average blood flow to it ( you know when you damage something it is often warm and red whilst healing ) and they have suggested that your wound shound be checked in clinic to make sure it looks ok and no signs of infection. The suggested fibrin strands- indicate ongoing healing processes as your body starts to reorganise and heal. The second biggest fluid collection has not yet started to show evidence of becoming less liquid- but give it time.

                              As for the small lung nodule- these seem to be very common- my sister in law had a couple  show up on x ray and scan- but they resolved by the next scan. If your docs aren't overly concerned I would take my lead from them.

                              The scan results are good news….

                              Deb

                              debwray
                              Participant

                                Hi Aloha,

                                The scans give you information about the hard tissue and the likely source of the fluid filled lumps.

                                They think they are likely to be seromas- the body tends to hate a void – ie where your lymph nodes were removed and it has filled the space with serous fluid. The one they say is seroma /haematoma has had some blood within it.

                                The healing tissue has an above average blood flow to it ( you know when you damage something it is often warm and red whilst healing ) and they have suggested that your wound shound be checked in clinic to make sure it looks ok and no signs of infection. The suggested fibrin strands- indicate ongoing healing processes as your body starts to reorganise and heal. The second biggest fluid collection has not yet started to show evidence of becoming less liquid- but give it time.

                                As for the small lung nodule- these seem to be very common- my sister in law had a couple  show up on x ray and scan- but they resolved by the next scan. If your docs aren't overly concerned I would take my lead from them.

                                The scan results are good news….

                                Deb

                                Aloha14
                                Participant

                                  Thanks Deb for explaining this to me. I'll let you guys know what the surgeon wants to do about the seromas  and possible follow up of the lung node. 

                                  Aloha14
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks Deb for explaining this to me. I'll let you guys know what the surgeon wants to do about the seromas  and possible follow up of the lung node. 

                                    Aloha14
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks Deb for explaining this to me. I'll let you guys know what the surgeon wants to do about the seromas  and possible follow up of the lung node. 

                                  Viewing 14 reply threads
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