Recent scans and nodes

[mpbser]

Finally got to see my husband's CT-angiogram report from Dec 26nd at MSK. Wow, what a thorough job the radiology department did! I am super impressed!

A couple of things on there concern me beyond what we already knew (possible mets in segment 6 and caudate lobe of liver):

- ABDOMINOPELVIC NODES: Scattered mildly prominent periportal nodes; for example, portal caval 1.8 x 1.1 cm node, and more superior anterior periportal 2.0 x 1.1 cm node. Possibly reactive. (Did not say "follow up or surveillance recommended" but still concerning a bit.... I think these were noted on a previous scan a while back and I don't think they have enlarged much, if at all. I will go back and compare if possible.)

- Two punctate left upper quadrant soft tissue nodules, possibly splenules (splenic tissue outside body of spleen "accessory spleens"), possibly implants. Follow-up recommended. (A little concerning)

- Couple of nonspecific punctate left pulmonary nodules, possibly post inflammatory, possibly metastatic; surveillance recommended. (This was NOT the recommendation from MGH. These I can be certain MGH would overlook these after the second CT at local cancer center in November showed no growth. Not hugely concerned but still...)

- Small intraluminal gallstone. Punctate nodularity right renal calculus. (No concern.)

I guess all in all no reason to freak out. Friday's PET scan will be the one to watch!

[juliej]

Finally got to see my husband's CT-angiogram report from Dec 26nd at MSK. Wow, what a thorough job the radiology department did! I am super impressed!

A couple of things on there concern me beyond what we already knew (possible mets in segment 6 and caudate lobe of liver):

- ABDOMINOPELVIC NODES: Scattered mildly prominent periportal nodes; for example, portal caval 1.8 x 1.1 cm node, and more superior anterior periportal 2.0 x 1.1 cm node. Possibly reactive. (Did not say "follow up or surveillance recommended" but still concerning a bit.... I think these were noted on a previous scan a while back and I don't think they have enlarged much, if at all. I will go back and compare if possible.)

- Two punctate left upper quadrant soft tissue nodules, possibly splenules (splenic tissue outside body of spleen "accessory spleens"), possibly implants. Follow-up recommended. (A little concerning)

- Couple of nonspecific punctate left pulmonary nodules, possibly post inflammatory, possibly metastatic; surveillance recommended. (This was NOT the recommendation from MGH. These I can be certain MGH would overlook these after the second CT at local cancer center in November showed no growth. Not hugely concerned but still...)

- Small intraluminal gallstone. Punctate nodularity right renal calculus. (No concern.)

I guess all in all no reason to freak out. Friday's PET scan will be the one to watch!

Nice detailed report, as is typical for MSK!

- Note the radiologist says "possibly reactive" for abdominopelvic nodes. I wouldn't be too concerned about them at this point.

- Accessory spleens aren't common but neither are they rare. There is a whole set of anatomical differences in human bodies that are just that - "different" but not dangerous.

- If those pulmonary nodules aren't changing, that's a good sign they might be just benign granulomas. Lungs are hardest to read because we inhale so much junk, have scaring from lung infections, etc. See if anyone describes the shape of the nodules. That's often a clue. Cancer nodules frequently have spiculated borders.

You're right, no reason to freak out. Best of luck with Friday's PET scan!

Juliej