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Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 10:23 am
by ashima2016
DH had the first CT scan after chemo, and I am a bit confused by the report.

Good news is impression is "No metastatic disease identified in the chest, abdomen and pelvis".

Question around this: "Liver: A subcapsular hypoattenuating lesion in the left lateral segment of the liver measures 0.5cm and is incompletely characterized, although most suggestive of a cyst. No suspicious lesion are identified".

1. The liver lesion was not identified in the CT report 8 months ago. Could that be possible that 5mm was too small to detect? Or the technician didn't think it was suspicious so didn't mention in the report?
2. If it is new, should I be concerned it grew to 5mm in 8 months?
3. It is described "incompletely characterized", curious how the doctor drew the conclusion that it is not suspicious.
4. We are meeting the oncologist on June 13th. Should I ask for a liver MRI?

DH was diagnosed Stage 2A, but has perineural and vascular invasion. So now I am super nervous. I know people here are not doctors, but any comment/insight is appreciated.

Re: First CT After Chemo - Question

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:55 pm
by [Ana & Alex]
First of all, congratulations on conquering the months of chemotherapy and that you have that obstacle behind you.

I'm not a doctor and I am really no expert in imagiology. So I can only talk about my experience...

In the first CT that I had when diagnosed (1/17) a cyst was also found in my liver. 4mm in segment IV. They weren't really sure what it was, so I made an appointment with a imagiologist who I trust and he made an ultrasound of the liver.

It was not easy to find the damn thing, but when he did, he was POSITIVE it was only a cyst. And now 6 months later I've repeated the CT before my surgery and there it was again, 4 mm in the same place. So I don't worry :P

Maybe an ultrasound would be a valid option for your Husband?

All the best and keep strong,
Ana

Re: First CT After Chemo - Question

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:21 pm
by ashima2016
Freddy87 wrote:Maybe an ultrasound would be a valid option for your Husband?

All the best and keep strong,
Ana


many thanks!

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 3:48 pm
by Deb m
My husband also had a cyst in his liver and also his pancreas and neither changed and just remained cysts. Our oncologist told us that cysts take on a different appearance then tumors and told us from the beginning not to worry. Of course I worried anyway, but five years of surveillance with ct scans and no change has me feeling much better. He did also tell us if it's just a simple cyst, most radiologist won't even mention it. He said many of us have cysts in our body and they increase in number as we age.

Try not to worry,

Debbie

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2017 4:37 pm
by TXLiz
Hello! I finished chemo in March 2017, and had a CT scan April 2017.

I too had a liver cyst/nodule on my CT. It was thought to be benign. (I posted the results on a thread here FYI)

MDA was fine with it; my local onc was suspicious- because I am highly suspicious and researchy and questioning- and gave me a PET scan. The PET was negative. From what I have been told and read, bad things in your liver have a characteristic look to them.

Of course to be 100% you need a PET, or MRI. I have only had CT or PET so I am not sure if an MRI is good for what you need. Def bring it up and ask your onc what he thinks but also the only way to know 100% is further imaging.

By the by, I have perineural and lympovascular invasion, too. We are part of the unlucky duck club.

Take care and don't freak about the liver yet. I did but it was ok.

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2017 4:12 pm
by Dori W
I had a similar situation with a cyst that appeared on my liver. It looked benign on the PET/CT scan, but they did an ultrasound to be sure, and that confirmed that it was benign. I admit that I still wasn't completely reassured after the ultrasound, but it is now about 8 years later and all is well.

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:11 pm
by ashima2016
[quote="TXLiz"][/quote]

Thank you!

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:12 pm
by ashima2016
[quote="Dori W"][/quote]

Thank you!

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 10:36 am
by ashima2016
Updates:

Met the oncologist earlier this week, and he checked the CT scan done 8 months ago, which showed the liver lesion at the same spot with same size. So the risk looks very low. But he ordered liver MRI in 3 months. Thanks all for your help!

Re: Liver Cyst After Chemo - Question

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 11:36 am
by TXLiz
:D

Yay!