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Yervoy Healing or Scan Reader Error??
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Yervoy Healing or Scan Reader Error??

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Yervoy Healing or Scan Reader Error??

  • Post
    • April 21, 2014 at 4:40 pm
    Dave from Ormond
    Participant

      On November 22, 2013 I received my last dose of Yervoy/Ipi.  My December CT Scan showed no new growths and shrinkage of existing in the area that received radiation.

      On February 12, 2014 I had a follow up scan that showed new mets in both my lungs, liver, stomach, and spine.  The largest were in my lungs at 10 mm.  The others were between 6 and 8 mm. A follow up Brain MRI showed 4 small spots in my brain.  We did 15 whole brain radiation treatments to treat this area prior to starting the B-raf/MEK treatments.

      To achieve a baseline of where my mets where at in size and location, we did a PET Scan on Monday, April 7, 2014, which is the day I started the B-raf/MEK treatment.  The results of this scan showed NO METS in my LUNGS, LIVER, Stomach, or BRAIN.  I did have 5 new mets pop up but only ONE of two on my spine was there in both the CT Scan and the PET Scan.

      My question to everyone is this:  Is it more likely to be a scan error or a Yervoy success?  

      I'm interested in hearing others opinions as my Doctor would not commit to either and said that it is very possible that Yervoy did cure it, but there is also a chance that the PET Scan didn't pick them up because they are small.  He is counting on the CT scan that will determine if the braf/mek is working after 8 weeks to put any debate to rest.

      Thanks for your input.

      Dave

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 21, 2014 at 5:39 pm
        BrianP
        Participant

          Dave,

          That is an interesting development.  I've had an experience lately with PET scan results that I hope to get answered on Wednesday. It certainly does sound good whatever is going on.  To me it sounds a little strange that they are using PET scans to establish baseline.  I always thought that CTs were better for that because they are a little more clear.  My understanding is that PETs are helpeful with finding cancer because of the glowing the cancer produces on images but that CTs actually give a better image.  I'm not sure how true that is.  I have heard that PETs may not be able to pick up cancer (i.e won't glow) if the tumor is 4 mm or smaller.  By that standard I would think that your 6 mm to 10 mm mets should be able to be seen if they are still there and active.  It would be nice to believe that you are having a delayed Ipi reaction and now also hitting it with Braf/MEK combo.  Talk about a triple whammy.

          Brian

          • April 21, 2014 at 5:39 pm
          BrianP
          Participant

            Dave,

            That is an interesting development.  I've had an experience lately with PET scan results that I hope to get answered on Wednesday. It certainly does sound good whatever is going on.  To me it sounds a little strange that they are using PET scans to establish baseline.  I always thought that CTs were better for that because they are a little more clear.  My understanding is that PETs are helpeful with finding cancer because of the glowing the cancer produces on images but that CTs actually give a better image.  I'm not sure how true that is.  I have heard that PETs may not be able to pick up cancer (i.e won't glow) if the tumor is 4 mm or smaller.  By that standard I would think that your 6 mm to 10 mm mets should be able to be seen if they are still there and active.  It would be nice to believe that you are having a delayed Ipi reaction and now also hitting it with Braf/MEK combo.  Talk about a triple whammy.

            Brian

              • April 21, 2014 at 5:44 pm
              Marianne quinn
              Participant

                I hope it is all good.. Hoping for similar experience with my hubby. 

                • April 21, 2014 at 5:44 pm
                Marianne quinn
                Participant

                  I hope it is all good.. Hoping for similar experience with my hubby. 

                  • April 21, 2014 at 5:44 pm
                  Marianne quinn
                  Participant

                    I hope it is all good.. Hoping for similar experience with my hubby. 

                    • April 21, 2014 at 6:14 pm
                    Dave from Ormond
                    Participant

                      The triple whammy would be fine with me!  However, I had a road bump with the braf/MEK.  I had such terrible fatigue that I didn't eat or get out bed for three days last week.  Turns out the braf/MEK had depleted my B12 to nothing.  I'm on some B12 shots now and feeling better.  Going to call the Doctor and see when we start back on it.

                      • April 21, 2014 at 6:14 pm
                      Dave from Ormond
                      Participant

                        The triple whammy would be fine with me!  However, I had a road bump with the braf/MEK.  I had such terrible fatigue that I didn't eat or get out bed for three days last week.  Turns out the braf/MEK had depleted my B12 to nothing.  I'm on some B12 shots now and feeling better.  Going to call the Doctor and see when we start back on it.

                        • April 24, 2014 at 3:12 am
                        lucywill
                        Participant

                          that is too bad, if you don't have the right scan reader to make everything clear, and if we can't find it timely, teh disease will become bad.

                          • April 24, 2014 at 3:12 am
                          lucywill
                          Participant

                            that is too bad, if you don't have the right scan reader to make everything clear, and if we can't find it timely, teh disease will become bad.

                            • May 15, 2014 at 4:04 am
                            Whitehead
                            Participant

                              Hi, usually speaking, the image or document of medical isuuse are in dicom file format, also, the dicom files need an exclusive document reader, that is dicom reader to decode and extract the data information about patients' disease.

                              • May 15, 2014 at 4:04 am
                              Whitehead
                              Participant

                                Hi, usually speaking, the image or document of medical isuuse are in dicom file format, also, the dicom files need an exclusive document reader, that is dicom reader to decode and extract the data information about patients' disease.

                                • May 15, 2014 at 4:04 am
                                Whitehead
                                Participant

                                  Hi, usually speaking, the image or document of medical isuuse are in dicom file format, also, the dicom files need an exclusive document reader, that is dicom reader to decode and extract the data information about patients' disease.

                                  • April 24, 2014 at 3:12 am
                                  lucywill
                                  Participant

                                    that is too bad, if you don't have the right scan reader to make everything clear, and if we can't find it timely, teh disease will become bad.

                                    • April 21, 2014 at 6:14 pm
                                    Dave from Ormond
                                    Participant

                                      The triple whammy would be fine with me!  However, I had a road bump with the braf/MEK.  I had such terrible fatigue that I didn't eat or get out bed for three days last week.  Turns out the braf/MEK had depleted my B12 to nothing.  I'm on some B12 shots now and feeling better.  Going to call the Doctor and see when we start back on it.

                                    • April 21, 2014 at 5:39 pm
                                    BrianP
                                    Participant

                                      Dave,

                                      That is an interesting development.  I've had an experience lately with PET scan results that I hope to get answered on Wednesday. It certainly does sound good whatever is going on.  To me it sounds a little strange that they are using PET scans to establish baseline.  I always thought that CTs were better for that because they are a little more clear.  My understanding is that PETs are helpeful with finding cancer because of the glowing the cancer produces on images but that CTs actually give a better image.  I'm not sure how true that is.  I have heard that PETs may not be able to pick up cancer (i.e won't glow) if the tumor is 4 mm or smaller.  By that standard I would think that your 6 mm to 10 mm mets should be able to be seen if they are still there and active.  It would be nice to believe that you are having a delayed Ipi reaction and now also hitting it with Braf/MEK combo.  Talk about a triple whammy.

                                      Brian

                                  Viewing 2 reply threads
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