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PLEASE READ AND HELP ME …PLEASE

Forums General Melanoma Community PLEASE READ AND HELP ME …PLEASE

  • Post
    Rosegargala
    Participant

        This is my ct result . any input would be appreciated . I am stage 3a
                   The heart, great vessels and mediastinal structures are within
      normal limits.  There is a lymph node in the right hilum which
      measures approximately 1 cm in short axis and is at the upper limits
      for normal.  Other small mediastinal lymph nodes are also noted, not
      size significant for pathology and likely inflammatory and reactive.  

       
       The left lung shows no opacification.  Previously diagnosed
      opacification in the lingula is no longer seen on this examination. 
      At least four nodular densities in the medial aspect of the right
      lower lobe are noted.  The largest one measures approximately 1.25
      cm.  These may be true pulmonary nodules versus atelectatic changes
      adjacent to vertebral body osteophytes.  However, given the patient's
      past medical history of malignancy, further evaluation of this
      finding with PET CT is recommended.

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        MoiraM
        Participant

          My first CT scan showed three lumps (two in right armpit and one on the wall of the abdomen) and some grain-sized dense bits in the lungs.

          Potentially they were all melanoma so I was sent for a PET scan. It turned out that the ones in the right armpit were (so I was stage 3c) but the tiny grain-size densities in the lungs and the lump on the abdomen wall did not 'light up' so were not melanoma (so I wasn't stage 4). The 'bits' in my lungs are probably scars because I had bronchial pneumonia as a child. Goodness knows what the other lump is. It just sits there but it has looked the same in every scan since.

          I am not an expert but the way I see it is that CT scans pick up lumps but not all those lumps are melanoma.

          Your CT scan has picked up some lumps and 'shadows'. They are a bit concerned about an enlarged lymph node are the entrance to the lung, but it isn't so enlarged that they are sure it is adnormal. The best guess for the smaller enlarged lymph nodes is an infection. Their best guesses for the 'densities' in the lungs are 'pulmoney nodules' or fibrosis caused by the bone-making cells in your spine – neither of which are melanoma.

          They are only suggesting a PET CT because of your 'history of malignancy'. If any of the lumps are melanoma they will metabolise the radioactive glucose and 'light up' in the PET CT scan. However, keep in mind that if you were someone with no 'history of malignancy' they wouldn't be checking.

          MoiraM
          Participant

            My first CT scan showed three lumps (two in right armpit and one on the wall of the abdomen) and some grain-sized dense bits in the lungs.

            Potentially they were all melanoma so I was sent for a PET scan. It turned out that the ones in the right armpit were (so I was stage 3c) but the tiny grain-size densities in the lungs and the lump on the abdomen wall did not 'light up' so were not melanoma (so I wasn't stage 4). The 'bits' in my lungs are probably scars because I had bronchial pneumonia as a child. Goodness knows what the other lump is. It just sits there but it has looked the same in every scan since.

            I am not an expert but the way I see it is that CT scans pick up lumps but not all those lumps are melanoma.

            Your CT scan has picked up some lumps and 'shadows'. They are a bit concerned about an enlarged lymph node are the entrance to the lung, but it isn't so enlarged that they are sure it is adnormal. The best guess for the smaller enlarged lymph nodes is an infection. Their best guesses for the 'densities' in the lungs are 'pulmoney nodules' or fibrosis caused by the bone-making cells in your spine – neither of which are melanoma.

            They are only suggesting a PET CT because of your 'history of malignancy'. If any of the lumps are melanoma they will metabolise the radioactive glucose and 'light up' in the PET CT scan. However, keep in mind that if you were someone with no 'history of malignancy' they wouldn't be checking.

              Rosegargala
              Participant

                Thank you so much ! On May 5 I was diagnosed with pnemonia in my right lower lobe and was very ill for a couple weeks. I feel better now but am very concerned. I guess I just feel like "it's gotta be melanoma " because I am a stage 3a. I really appreciate your response and I thank you so very much for taking the time to reply !! Good luck to you on your journey <3

                Rosegargala
                Participant

                  Thank you so much ! On May 5 I was diagnosed with pnemonia in my right lower lobe and was very ill for a couple weeks. I feel better now but am very concerned. I guess I just feel like "it's gotta be melanoma " because I am a stage 3a. I really appreciate your response and I thank you so very much for taking the time to reply !! Good luck to you on your journey <3

                  Janner
                  Participant

                    If you just had pneumonia, a PET/CT may not be conclusive.  PET scans pick up metabolic activity and any type of infection or trauma or inflammation will show up on a PET just like cancer cells will.  So your pneumonia and melanoma might both show up and a PET wouldn't differentiate between the two.  I do agree with the other post, though, that they are only suggesting further followup based on your melanoma history, not that the lesions look metastatic.  But since you've just had pneumonia, the lesions are most likely related to that.

                    Talk to your doc, but the followup sounds more like CYA than any real concern it is melanoma.

                    Janner
                    Participant

                      If you just had pneumonia, a PET/CT may not be conclusive.  PET scans pick up metabolic activity and any type of infection or trauma or inflammation will show up on a PET just like cancer cells will.  So your pneumonia and melanoma might both show up and a PET wouldn't differentiate between the two.  I do agree with the other post, though, that they are only suggesting further followup based on your melanoma history, not that the lesions look metastatic.  But since you've just had pneumonia, the lesions are most likely related to that.

                      Talk to your doc, but the followup sounds more like CYA than any real concern it is melanoma.

                      Rosegargala
                      Participant

                        Thanks so very much!!!! It really helps to get some input from a fellow melanomie <3 I can't thank you enough for calming my nerves! It's been almost 2 years and I still freak out when they find something new!  Good luck to you <3

                        Rosegargala
                        Participant

                          Thanks so very much!!!! It really helps to get some input from a fellow melanomie <3 I can't thank you enough for calming my nerves! It's been almost 2 years and I still freak out when they find something new!  Good luck to you <3

                          Rosegargala
                          Participant

                            Thanks so very much!!!! It really helps to get some input from a fellow melanomie <3 I can't thank you enough for calming my nerves! It's been almost 2 years and I still freak out when they find something new!  Good luck to you <3

                            Janner
                            Participant

                              If you just had pneumonia, a PET/CT may not be conclusive.  PET scans pick up metabolic activity and any type of infection or trauma or inflammation will show up on a PET just like cancer cells will.  So your pneumonia and melanoma might both show up and a PET wouldn't differentiate between the two.  I do agree with the other post, though, that they are only suggesting further followup based on your melanoma history, not that the lesions look metastatic.  But since you've just had pneumonia, the lesions are most likely related to that.

                              Talk to your doc, but the followup sounds more like CYA than any real concern it is melanoma.

                              Rosegargala
                              Participant

                                Thank you so much ! On May 5 I was diagnosed with pnemonia in my right lower lobe and was very ill for a couple weeks. I feel better now but am very concerned. I guess I just feel like "it's gotta be melanoma " because I am a stage 3a. I really appreciate your response and I thank you so very much for taking the time to reply !! Good luck to you on your journey <3

                              MoiraM
                              Participant

                                My first CT scan showed three lumps (two in right armpit and one on the wall of the abdomen) and some grain-sized dense bits in the lungs.

                                Potentially they were all melanoma so I was sent for a PET scan. It turned out that the ones in the right armpit were (so I was stage 3c) but the tiny grain-size densities in the lungs and the lump on the abdomen wall did not 'light up' so were not melanoma (so I wasn't stage 4). The 'bits' in my lungs are probably scars because I had bronchial pneumonia as a child. Goodness knows what the other lump is. It just sits there but it has looked the same in every scan since.

                                I am not an expert but the way I see it is that CT scans pick up lumps but not all those lumps are melanoma.

                                Your CT scan has picked up some lumps and 'shadows'. They are a bit concerned about an enlarged lymph node are the entrance to the lung, but it isn't so enlarged that they are sure it is adnormal. The best guess for the smaller enlarged lymph nodes is an infection. Their best guesses for the 'densities' in the lungs are 'pulmoney nodules' or fibrosis caused by the bone-making cells in your spine – neither of which are melanoma.

                                They are only suggesting a PET CT because of your 'history of malignancy'. If any of the lumps are melanoma they will metabolise the radioactive glucose and 'light up' in the PET CT scan. However, keep in mind that if you were someone with no 'history of malignancy' they wouldn't be checking.

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