Hi All you great people out there. I have on and off come on to this forum and learnt so much from all your stories I first just wanted to thank you for the inspiration you have given me over the last one year.
As my username states, my Dad (64) was diagnosed with rectal Cancer. T3N1M0 and had RadioChemo, followed by a surgical resection (Temp Ileostomy), Rounds of CAPOX/XELOX, which was then moved to Folfox after he had two severe reactions to the CAPOX.
During this time he was in an out of the hospital for CINV and then a severe cellulitis infection in his right hand requiring skin removal and grafts.
Post his switch to Folfox he was doing really great and had his ilesotomy reversal. Since then he's been doing great, and weight is up (from 46KG in the worst part of CINV) to 65KG now. Last chemo was in June.
In his recent CT, abdomen was clear, but they saw small nodules (biggest one 6mm) in his lungs. These were there 10 months ago as well (Period between last CT), and showed minimal growth. His MMR was negative for Lynch.
Oncologist is not overly concerned, asked to take a wait and watch approach and redo CT in Jan. His primary Gastro surgeon though recommended another meeting with the Doc to follow up sooner than Jan. As of now, Oncologist has sent the tissue sample (from resection) for KRAS and NRAS. He said perhaps do a PET CT.
The hospital does not have the facility, and dad is on Holiday back in our homecountry where this is available, and affordable. My questions as follows :
1. For nodules this small, is it worth doing this ? I've read both Flase Positive/False negatives on nodules this small
2. Given these nodules were there in prior CT (before resection) and the CT report stated no concern on lungs, am i missing something ? Maybe the radioligist missed M1 prior to surgery ?
I am utterly confused now and through all he has been over the last year, im dead worried this is now in his lungs.
Thank you all - and god bless all of you who are figthing out there, and to all the caregivers (I know how anxiety can wreck you)