Recurrence lung nodules/lymph nodes: (PET) CT vs. markers

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cvl
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun May 19, 2019 2:17 pm

Recurrence lung nodules/lymph nodes: (PET) CT vs. markers

Postby cvl » Mon May 20, 2019 12:50 am

Hi everyone,

I am asking for my dad, he had surgery for CRC 3 years ago (Stage 2C).
On the latest CT appeared 2 lung nodules and 2 increased lymph nodes.
After CT - he did CEA, CA 19-9, etc. and all markers are in the limit. (CEA was indicator at discovery).

It follows to have a PET CT to clarify.

I was wondering if someone else knows about correlation with blood markers.
Question especially for people with lung nodules, if they want to share.

Thank you,

CV

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juliej
Posts: 3114
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:59 pm

Re: Recurrence lung nodules/lymph nodes: (PET) CT vs. markers

Postby juliej » Wed May 22, 2019 4:08 pm

cvel wrote:I am asking for my dad, he had surgery for CRC 3 years ago (Stage 2C).
On the latest CT appeared 2 lung nodules and 2 increased lymph nodes.
After CT - he did CEA, CA 19-9, etc. and all markers are in the limit. (CEA was indicator at discovery).

It follows to have a PET CT to clarify.

I was wondering if someone else knows about correlation with blood markers.
Question especially for people with lung nodules, if they want to share.

I had a definite rise in CEA with my lung nodules. So if CEA is a good indicator for your dad, those two nodules aren't necessarily mets. As you noted though, a PET CT should help clarify things. Better to look too close than miss something.

One time I had a CT report identify a suspicious and growing nodule as a met. My CEA did NOT rise with that one. It was removed via VATS and pathology showed it to be a benign granuloma, not cancer. Keep in mind the lungs do get benign growths from a variety of things -- for example, from tiny particles inhaled while you're gardening, from pollution or pollen, even tiny bugs inhaled when you're bicycling. :D

Hope this helps!
Juliej
Stage IVb, liver/lung mets 8/4/2010
Xelox+Avastin 8/18/10 to 10/21/2011
LAR, liver resec, HAI pump 11/2011
Adjuvant Irinotecan + FUDR
Double lung surgery + ileo reversal 2/2012
Adjuvant FUDR + Xeloda
VATS rt. lung 12/2012 - benign granuloma!
VATS left lung 11/2013
NED 11/22/13 to 12/18/2019, CEA<1

rp1954
Posts: 1853
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:13 am

Re: Recurrence lung nodules/lymph nodes: (PET) CT vs. markers

Postby rp1954 » Wed May 22, 2019 4:40 pm

There's almost no detail to comment on or to compare there. Standard US oncology practices aren't highly geared for accumulation, biochemical assessment of risk, or detection of recurrence much beyond to monitor single/several CEA values.

Other places, they might combine several kind of data and series across previous time points, even below the upper limit values for standard labs, for some result or recommendations. We typically found that we needed more and better data and details for better answers.
watchful, active researcher and caregiver for stage IVb/c CC. surgeries 4/10 sigmoid etc & 5/11 para-aortic LN cluster; 8 yrs immuno-Chemo for mCRC; now no chemo
most of 2010 Life Extension recommendations and possibilities + more, some (much) higher, peaking ~2011-12, taper chemo to almost nothing mid 2018, IV C-->2021. Now supplements

cvl
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun May 19, 2019 2:17 pm

Re: Recurrence lung nodules/lymph nodes: (PET) CT vs. markers

Postby cvl » Thu May 23, 2019 1:55 am

Hi,

Thanks you for your inputs.

Will definitely do the PET CT soon to see.
Sharing and supporting is great. Good luck everyone!

Regards,
CV


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