Likely reactive- Shouldn't I be concerned?

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CatzinDJ
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:06 pm

Likely reactive- Shouldn't I be concerned?

Postby CatzinDJ » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:35 pm

This is what the CT scan. I'm told to come back in one year for another exam, but doesn't this mean something? I am reacting to the "Likely reactive comments".



Abdominal Lymph Nodes and Retroperitoneum: No enlarged abdominal or pelvic
lymph nodes. A few scattered prominent mesenteric lymph nodes are seen,
slightly more conspicuous than prior study, although not enlarged by CT
criteria, likely reactive.


My CEA is 5.2 (slightly higher than blood test in July 2016).
53 & Female
DX: Rectal Cancer (RC) diagnosed in Thailand
Tumor Location: Rectum
Tumor type: invasive adenocarcinoma
Tumor size: 4 mm
Tumor grade: low grade
Baseline CEA value (4.46) 5/2016
CEA 6/2/2016 4.8
Lynch- Negative.
LAR 7/13/2016 in Seatle, Wa
Home 7/18/2016.
CEA 12/9/2016 2.8
CEA 6/8/2017 5.6
Colonoscopy and Cat scan June 2017 NED
CEA 3/2018 2.9
TB latent recently diagnosed.

User avatar
Maia
Posts: 2443
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:00 am

Re: Likely reactive- Shouldn't I be concerned?

Postby Maia » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:47 pm

In radiologists jargon, 'likely reactive' means 'likely trying to fight off an infection', 'no worrisome'.

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Likely reactive- Shouldn't I be concerned?

Postby Lee » Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:32 pm

Ditto to what Maia said.

I was about 3 years out when a couple of enlarged nodes were noted on a CAT scan report. Onc stressed to me not to worry, she was not. Per her words, you have 2 young kids at home. One of them probably brought some bug home and your body is doing it's job, fighting off the bug. 6 months later, those enlarged nodes were back to normal.

Hope this helps,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

CatzinDJ
Posts: 45
Joined: Thu Dec 22, 2016 12:06 pm

Re: Likely reactive- Shouldn't I be concerned?

Postby CatzinDJ » Wed Jun 21, 2017 11:53 am

Thank you! I am so glad to see what you two wrote- and it fits the scenario. I had an amoeba and salmonella a few weeks prior. I was probably trying to fight off an infection! Thank you for your replies!
53 & Female
DX: Rectal Cancer (RC) diagnosed in Thailand
Tumor Location: Rectum
Tumor type: invasive adenocarcinoma
Tumor size: 4 mm
Tumor grade: low grade
Baseline CEA value (4.46) 5/2016
CEA 6/2/2016 4.8
Lynch- Negative.
LAR 7/13/2016 in Seatle, Wa
Home 7/18/2016.
CEA 12/9/2016 2.8
CEA 6/8/2017 5.6
Colonoscopy and Cat scan June 2017 NED
CEA 3/2018 2.9
TB latent recently diagnosed.


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