Something mentioned in my scan

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susie0915
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Something mentioned in my scan

Postby susie0915 » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:02 pm

I had a ct scan of pelvis and abdomen,and it said no evidence of metastatic disease in pelvis and abdomen. This is awesome but there was the mention of "stable mildly thickened left adrenal gland". I assume stable means no change from last scan even though last scan didn't mention any thickening. There was also no recommended follow up.
I emailed my oncologist and she said not to worry each radiologist read and report findings differently but we will discuss and review scans at my appt next month, and if I liked she could refer me to an endocrinologist then.
Any thoughts? Wouldn't the radiologist recommend follow up as was done when my lung nodule was seen? Also wouldn't no evidence of disease mean it didn't look suspicious?
Every little thing makes me worry. Crazy I know.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

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

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby Lee » Wed Oct 18, 2017 6:17 pm

I would take "no evidence of metastatic" as a very sign. And yes, I believe if there was a concern, it would have been noted with a follow up.

Good luck, try not to worry,

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!

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susie0915
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Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby susie0915 » Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:10 pm

Thank you Lee. I have to try not to over think and look for trouble. I know scans pick up so many little things.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby ams5796 » Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:22 pm

Scans do pick up everything and some radiologists mention more than others. Unless the radiologist recommends a follow up or further testing I try not to worry. I know it's easier said than done.

Glad the rest of it was clear, Susie!



Ann
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met

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susie0915
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Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby susie0915 » Wed Oct 18, 2017 7:29 pm

ams5796 wrote:Scans do pick up everything and some radiologists mention more than others. Unless the radiologist recommends a follow up or further testing I try not to worry. I know it's easier said than done.

Glad the rest of it was clear, Susie!



Ann

Thanks Ann. I will work on relaxing until the next scan. Lol
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

MissMolly
Posts: 645
Joined: Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:33 pm
Location: Portland, Ore

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby MissMolly » Wed Oct 18, 2017 9:55 pm

Susie:
If you are concerned about the thickened adrenal gland there are a few basic blood tests that your MD could order to get a snap shot of the hormone levels secreted by the adrenal glands.

An adrenal gland in distress will either secrete excessive hormone or produce low/no hormone of those hormones under the auspice of the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland partners with both the pituitary gland and the kidneys in a negative feedback loop “conversation” to regulate hormone levels at homeostasis.

Hormone = a chemical messenger. Hormones travel in the blood stream to destination organs and communicate to the organ how it is to function.

Adrenal gland hormones include:
A. Cortisol (life essential hormone, potent anti-inflammatory properties)
B. Aldosterone (regulates sodium and potassium balance in concert with renin produced by the kidneys)
C. Catecholamines (regulate blood pressure)

Thickening by itself does not portend anything alarming. Keep your sights on the NED statement of the radiology report until your next scan and additional imaging for comparison.

Best wishes,
Karen
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.

menreeq
Posts: 70
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:26 am

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby menreeq » Thu Oct 19, 2017 12:12 am

I wouldn't worry about it. I probably reported that same finding twice today. It's nonspecific. If you had adrenal symptoms, someone might pursue bloodwork. But by itself, it likely doesn't mean anything and it hasn't changed over time. It may be just your anatomy.
Stage IIA rectosigmoid CC (T3N0M0)
Dx 6/5/17 @age 41ls
Workup: c-scope, EUS, rectal MRI, CT C/A/P
AdenoCA 5.5cm, WHO Grade 2, 0/22 LN, no distant mets
CEA 1.9 (6/5/17), 0.8 (2/28/18), 1.0 (9/17/18), 1.1 (4/16/19), 1.0 (9/24/19), 1.7 (7/8/20)
No lymphovasc/perineural invasion, clear margins
MSI intact, OncotypeDx RS 7
Lap sig colectomy 6/23/17, no ileo/colostomy
Genetics neg for mutations, 4 VUS
Xeloda monotherapy 8/13/17-1/22/18
PET/CT 3/21/18 NED
CT C/A/P 9/17/18 NED, 3/8/19 NED, 9/19/19 NED, 5/13/20 NED

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susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby susie0915 » Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:42 am

menreeq wrote:I wouldn't worry about it. I probably reported that same finding twice today. It's nonspecific. If you had adrenal symptoms, someone might pursue bloodwork. But by itself, it likely doesn't mean anything and it hasn't changed over time. It may be just your anatomy.

Thank you. I figured since it said stable mild thickening it meant no change compared to last scan. All the final impression stated was "no evidence of metastatic disease in abdomen and pelvis", pretty simple. So I will focus on that. Thank you.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby susie0915 » Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:44 am

MissMolly wrote:Susie:
If you are concerned about the thickened adrenal gland there are a few basic blood tests that your MD could order to get a snap shot of the hormone levels secreted by the adrenal glands.

An adrenal gland in distress will either secrete excessive hormone or produce low/no hormone of those hormones under the auspice of the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland partners with both the pituitary gland and the kidneys in a negative feedback loop “conversation” to regulate hormone levels at homeostasis.

Hormone = a chemical messenger. Hormones travel in the blood stream to destination organs and communicate to the organ how it is to function.

Adrenal gland hormones include:
A. Cortisol (life essential hormone, potent anti-inflammatory properties)
B. Aldosterone (regulates sodium and potassium balance in concert with renin produced by the kidneys)
C. Catecholamines (regulate blood pressure)

Thickening by itself does not portend anything alarming. Keep your sights on the NED statement of the radiology report until your next scan and additional imaging for comparison.

Best wishes,
Karen

Thank you Karen. My oncologist said we can talk when I see her next month but she's not concerned, and if I would like to see an endocrinologist she will refer me. So I'll talk to her. Thank you.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

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Shana
Posts: 401
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 9:45 pm
Location: Sonoma, CA

Re: Something mentioned in my scan

Postby Shana » Thu Oct 19, 2017 5:48 pm

susie0915 wrote:
menreeq wrote:I wouldn't worry about it. I probably reported that same finding twice today. It's nonspecific. If you had adrenal symptoms, someone might pursue bloodwork. But by itself, it likely doesn't mean anything and it hasn't changed over time. It may be just your anatomy.

Thank you. I figured since it said stable mild thickening it meant no change compared to last scan. All the final impression stated was "no evidence of metastatic disease in abdomen and pelvis", pretty simple. So I will focus on that. Thank you.


Stable and mild are both comforting words to me. I agree with you, focus on the NED side and smile! :)

I'm happy to hear your good results, Susie!
DX - 12/16
MSS - KRAS wild
Well-differentiated adenocarcinoma at splenic flexure
Stage IV CC with liver mets
5FU - Failed twice - 1/17 and 3/17
Irinotecan + Cetuximab: 8/17
Irinotecan and Erbitux ran it's course. CEA rising
Primary tumor invaded tail of pancreas and spleen. Liver mets major concern
Y-90 radioembolization on 9/17/18, liver enzyymes have dropped. 10 Radiation treatments to primary tumor completed too. CT scan Nov to assess overall situation...


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