Liver Lesion Identified, Four Years After Original Diagnosis

[testing765]

Hi. I had a CT scan yesterday (10/24/18). I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 8/14.

The CT impression from 10/24/18- tiny 2-3 mm hypodense lesion in the right lobe of the liver which is too small to characterize; however, it is new when compared to the prior study (10/17). No other intrahepatic lesions are seen. There is no intrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation seen. A small left renal cyst is again noted. The left kidney is otherwise normal. Otherwise unremarkable CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis with no other evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease.

I have a small left renal cyst on the right kidney that has remained stable for a few years.

Based on an earlier CT scan in 1/12/15 tiny hypodense lesions in the dome of the liver were identified. But I did not see reference to a liver lesion again until this most recent report on 10/24/18.

I had blood work done a couple of weeks ago and all of the numbers came back good, CEA was 2.0.

I have an appointment with my oncologist tomorrow. Should I be worried about this lesion on my liver?

What questions should I ask my oncologist?

Here is the relevant information from prior ct scans.

A 8/25/14 ct scan states that a sub-centimeter low density lesion in the left kidney, too small to accurately characterize, but which likely represents a cyst.

A 1/12/15 ct scan states that tiny hypodense lesions are seen in the dome of the liver which are too small to characterize. A small hypodense left renal lesion is seen which is too small to characterize.

A 10/27/15 ct scan notes a stable subcentimeter hypodense lesion upper pole left kidney.

A 10/6/16 ct scan states that no intrahepatic masses are seen. Also states that kidneys are normal and does not mention a lesion on the left kidney.

A 10/13/17 ct scan states that no intrahepatic masses are seen. Stable tiny left renal lesion is seen likely representing a small cyst.

[boxhill]

I'm confused: are all of those kidney results referring to the same mass?

I would ask my onc whether a liver MRI was in order.

[testing765]

Hi. Yes, all of the kidney results are referring to the same mass. I will ask my oncologist about whether an mri of the liver is appropriate. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Nohogirl]

My husband had similar reading on his recent CT scan
"Hypodense hepatic lesion" doctor ordered MRI which came back negative, Liver showed clean.

Hopefully this will be the case with yours.

[KimT]

I have had hyposdense lesions show on every ct scan before and after diagnosis. They are benign.

[testing765]

Hi. I just wanted to follow up after my appointment with the oncologist. He wants another CT scan in three months, to see if the lesion has changed in any way. I asked him about an MRI of the liver, he said that the lesion is not big enough (2-3 mm) for an MRI to be warranted. He also said the CT scans take images that are 5 mm apart from each other, so it is possible that this 2-3 mm lesion has been there for some time, but was not picked up by prior CT scans. My oncologist believes that the lesion is likely a benign cyst and that I should not worry about it. My other blood work numbers, including CEA, were all within normal range.

Do you think that getting another CT scan in three months is a reasonable course of action? Do you think it is premature for me to start investigating liver resection surgeons, hepatic arterial infusions, etc? I want to be prepared, but I do not want to overreact. Thank you.

[susie0915]

I had a 4mm nodule show up in my ct scan 5/2017. Since it was too small to biopsy or for a pet scan to pick up, I have had repeat scans at 3 months, 6 months after that, and again 6 months later. My nodule has not changed. My oncologist explained that growth is a sign of a cancer and lesions can grow quickly. I am not sure if the same protocol is followed with liver lesions, but it does sound reasonable. My oncologist was also pretty certain that the spot on my lung was not cancer but probably scar tissue or inflammation. In addition, there was a tiny spot on my liver noted in my scan at diagnosis.It has not been mentioned since.

[SurvivorsSpouse]

My wife is approaching her 6 year appointment, being NED after surgery for a Stage 2A diagnosis.

A small hypodense liver lesion was found on her 1st post op staging CT that scared us. However, the Onc told us it was seen, but not noted on the pre-op staging scan and was unchanged. He said they find these all the time.

It has been unchanged and noted ever since.

I hope that gives you some peace of mind.

[testing765]

Thank you SurvivorSpouse and susie0915 for sharing your experiences with me. Your stories will help me to be a little less anxious over the course of the next three months. I wish good health for everyone.