The Colon Club

I know we're not doctors, but I think many times we have so much experience and have read so much that we know as much as doctors. Here's my question:

I have four lung nodules which were there 10 years ago when I was dx'd with Stage III colon cancer. Three have never changed and are minute.

The fourth has been noted in this order over the years as 4mm x 6mm, 5.1mm x 6.9mm, 7mm, stable since 2009, 5 to 6mm x 4mm and last year the radiologist said MAY have increased to 7mm x 4mm which is confusing because it's been reported that size or larger in previous years. Another doctor was asked to compare the scan from 9/ 2016 and 11/ 2017 and she said 'increased to 7mm x 4mm from prior reading'. From 2012 to 2015 I had PET scans instead of CT scans due to the liver met.

I'm waiting on results from my last scan but these readings are from a total of 10 years this coming January. I'm confused by all the different readings. I've tried to find the reason behind so many different reports/ readings and other than all were done by different radiologist, it makes no sense to me.

One other thing that I've noticed is in prior years the 'voice' during the CT scan would say 'Take a deep breath and hold it now'. Now it just says to breathe in and hold your breath. Guessing it's a newer machine. Also, I can only have w/o contrast for my chest CT due to severe allergy to the contrast.

Thoughts?
Diane

My mom had a CT, MRI, PET and ultrasound on a 2cm mass that they couldn’t identify until today (spoiler alert: it was her ovary.) Anyway, each test reported the size as slightly different, sometimes almost a cm different.

dianetavegia wrote:....One other thing that I've noticed is in prior years the 'voice' during the CT scan would say 'Take a deep breath and hold it now'. Now it just says to breathe in and hold your breath. Guessing it's a newer machine. Also, I can only have w/o contrast for my chest CT due to severe allergy to the contrast.

Thoughts?
Diane

A cost cutting measure? The CT voice actor is being paid by the word?

But seriously, as for your nodes I'm only one year into this journey and the one thing that I have learned is to not expect consistency from one test to the next or one doc's opinion to another's or family support from one day to another. Is it possible that the small variations in size could be attributed to slight differences in how you are lying on the scanner bed each time?

Hoping your doc hurries up and ticks that box so that your results are released.
Cheers,
mob

Sounds stable to me. I’ve sat with a radiologist while he remeasured one of my scans and his measure was 1mm different from the doc who authored the first report. That’s on the same scan so imagine the margin of error between scans.

Congrats on your long term NED !

AT.

Diane, It appears there can be quite a bit of variance on lungs, with the breathing and various scan machines & operators.
My Onc isn't acknowledging a difference if a millimeter or two.

You are correct: the machines and scan technicians vary. I'm sure they cannot get consistent readings.

When I consulted with MSK they said that a CT Scan is more accurate than a Pet scan to measure lung tumors.

May God keep you and heal you.

The radiologist measured and then sent my reports to the 'tumor table' and they all said stable since 2009 and made a note that these should all be considered benign for 10 years now!!!

Thanks, y'all! Posting my good news.