Pet/Ct Pleural Effusion

[thephotoguy]

Well the results Pet/CT results are in for my mom.

PET/CT results for my mom came in. Showed some "mild disease progression" in the liver as she already spots in the liver. No progression seen in any other areas of the body.

Newly appearing small bilateral pleural effusions are present. More prominent areas of atelectasis and or interstitial prominence is noted in both lower lobes most pronounced in the lingula. These areas have low level FDG localization likely related to inflammatory pneumonitis.

Newly appearing ascites is noted in both paracolic gutters. No FDG avid retroperitoneal adenopathy.

(So far she isn't experiencing any breathing problems.)


-----
Anyone have any experience with pleural effusions, inflammatory pneumonitis, or ascites? What it exactly means or how it is treated?

[ronnieciao]

Hi,

My Mum had very, very severe ascites (from peritoneal carcinomatosis) at diagnosis.

Chemothepahy (Folfox), and especially Erbitux (Vectibix) was very effective for her and the ascites completely disappeared for a year or more (memory it starting to get fuzzy on the timelines...time flies).

Once the treatments stopped working the ascites came back- at that point not sure if from peritoneum again or progression in liver disease. In this case, it was "mechanically" drained thorough a needle every few days.

I wish you and your Mum the best.
Veronica