You never can put your guard down...spot on liver

jennyboog

I saw my onc for the first time in a couple of mths today and things didn't go so well.  I had a PET done in Feb before rads and was told everything was normal by my rad dr.  Well, today my onc pulled the report for first time and read that I have a spot on my liver.  I was caught completely off guard and had no clue.  I've been feeling great and feeling positive and thought I was moving on, I hiked 4 miles just yesterday & then today I hear this.   Now on to more test, she said, it's small and probably nothing but hasn't showed up before.  I mean I knew this was possible but was not expecting this at all, you never can put your guard down...it never ends.

KerryMac

Well, sh*t I can imagine that was a big kick in the pants. I am so sorry you were blindsided like that.

All I can say is that PET's are renowned for false positives, a lot of oncs don't like them as so much stuff shows up, and you are kind of left chasing your tail.

So, try not to freak out too much yet - loads of people here have had stuff that shows up, that on further investigation has been nothing.

Let us know what further tests they have in store for you.  Hang in!

littletower

Jenny, that soooo sucks!! Just wanted to reach out and gove you a virtual hug. Prayers it's nothing. Please let us know.

diana50

jenny; PET scans can be wrong.  they need to check liver enzymes...and follow you.  it is a bunch of crap; but how you feel is also important. don't give up.  follow up with the onc.  let us know. hang in there*

elmcity69

oh sh*&. you're right - it never ends. but as the other women have noted: PET scans often have false positives. You're feeling good, and that is great.

prayers and hugs coming at you. keep us posted.

xo

janyce

DCMom

They say if you have a scan no matter what they will probably find something regardless of your health.  That is the backlash on a lot of these new thermo imaging techniques or preventative scanning(causing a lot of panic for nothing).  Stay optimistic because statistics say it's probably nothing...I know easy for me to say at this side so just so you know I am not just putting on rose colored glasses, the whole thing SUCKS!  Prayers are on for good news.

kim40

Oh Jenny!  Just popping in to say hi and sending you a hug!  As others said, PETs can be wrong, hang in there!

SusieMTN

Jenny so sorry that you are going thru this.  But is there some reason that an MRI wasn't done?  Is an MRI planned?

I would ask for a copy of the last blood work you had done.  I am a firm supporter of being your own historian.   

 So....keeping my fingers crossed for you!  Wishing the best for you!

Do let us know.....

americanpinay

(((Jenny)))

My onc did not want me to do a PET scan while I was on active treatment because he thinks all kinds of things will show up. He made me wait a few months after radiation is over before he scheduled a PET. Even then, I had a couple of things show up on PET that turn out to be nothing so please try not to worry too much. Just remember it is nothing until proven otherwise.

You'll be in my prayers. Take care. 

Celtic_Spirit

My first CT scan showed up multiple, small dots on my liver. The radiologist and my onc didn't know what they were, but my onc said to wait and see if they were affected by chemo. I spent six months in hell wondering if I was stage III or stage IV. My onc then ordered not only another CT scan but a 3-phase liver study, which took a super close look at my liver. The spots didn't change, which mean't they weren't cancer. They still don't know what they are, but they aren't growing and they aren't bothering me. You might ask your onc to order a CT scan/liver study.

jennyboog

Thanks ladies...I'm trying not to freak but it's so hard not to let it get me down.  This PET was done in Feb after my BMX before rads started.  So, they were expecting inflammation from surgery but it was ordered anyway, I guess to get a baseline.  Well, my rad dr told me it was normal and carried on with rads.  Today I went to appt with onc. who heard the results were normal but didn't read report (PET & rads were done at another hospital) until today during my appt.  So, she read that they saw a spot on liver less than 5cm.  This is not my first scare...I was told I had spot on lung during chemo and this scan showed nothing there so I guess that was nothing.  Onc has ordered a CT but not until 1May (so it's 3 mths from PET).  My onc doesn't beleive in tumor marker and my hospital only does one type but she said I could do one but might have false + results.  She said whether its cancer or not nothing will change, continue on AI's & keep an eye on it.  That has been changed also, she's going to try Aromasin instead on Arimidex and see if SE are better for me.  I'm just a little out of heart, I was cruisin along thinking I'm good and this just caught me completely blindsided.  Why didn't the rad dr mention it?

And to answer your question, no bloodwork has been done since chemo which ended in Dec.  My onc is leaving (Army dr/ Army hospital) and I think I'm switching to a civilian dr, I know they all have different opinions so maybe things will change again. Thanks again ladies, if anyone knows how I feel right now it's you all.  I've felt great and had no symptoms so I'm trying to be positive.

char123

Hi Jenni:  lots and lots of False Positives out there, please get second opinion!  Especially since Rad Dr did not mention it.  Actually, I would go back and ask him first..

LittleMelons

The word "liver" in the subject of this thread caught my eye, so hope you don't mind if I chime in with my experience.  I received a call from the doctor's assistant to say that a suspicious spot on my liver had shown up on my abdominal scan. Being newly diagnosed and not knowing much about bc, I said "This is bad news isn't it?' and she said "yes", so I assumed it meant the cancer had spread.  A subsequent nuclear scan showed that the spot was in fact an hemangioma which is a formation of small blood vessels, a "venous malformation" that can change slightly in size and colour.  It is benign and completely harmless, but very common. 

 Yours could very well be an hemangioma as well.  I wonder if the scan report indicated that it could be an hemangioma and that is why your rad onc didn't mention it to you.  Hope you get more definite information on this soon.  All the best.

YATCOMW

Let me chime too..... I had the same thing as LittleMelons....had a spot on my liver....it never did anything so they have assumed it was a hemangioma also....

 

I know it is hard....I just hate the waiting....and all the scares.....i had sooooooo many my first three years....hopefully that is all this is ....a scare and nothing more.

 

Jacqueline 

Bugs

Oh Jenny...I am sorry you are having this scare.  I echo what all these wonderful ladies have said.  LOTS of false positives in PETS and lots of people have benign spots on their livers.  

We are waiting with you and holding your hand.  Cuz no matter what...the waiting sucks. 

Letlet

jenny, I am hoping they are benign. I know oncologists who prefer CT's because of the false positives of PETs

karen1956

Jenny.....hoping the scar, is just that, and that the news from now on will only be good news...

Gitane

Jenny,   I'm sending big comforting hugs your way.  G.

NancyD

Here's hoping it's just a hemangioma, and you can get on with living!

jennyboog

Thanks again everyone...I called the rad dr to question why he didn't tell me about the spot on my liver.  He said, he did, I said no you didn't  I would remember if you did.  As you all know a bc patient knows when they tell us things like that.  He said...he felt this was anxiety provoked...well duh, you think so....of course it is.  Anyway, he said the area didn't light up on the scan and it's nothing and that he feels the CT and test are an overkill.  I was glad to hear it didn't light up at least, I didn't realize that.  I know it could still be something but that made me feel some better but I'm glad the CT is being done.  Thanks again girls, other than my DH ya'll are the first one's I want to talk to in these situations.

jenn3

jenny - I am so sorry for the scare you are going through.  Just when you start to feel good and know things are going right, something like this comes up and throws you backwards into that world of fear and anxiety.  It sounds like the radiologist, although he seems a bit arrogant isn't too concerned which is a good sign.  Sending positive thoughts and vibes your way (((hugs))) Jenn

clariceak

Jenny - so sorry you are going through all this stress.  My younger sister had bc and she was called back a few times after treatment because of spots of her liver.  They ended up being benign.  I think is quite common to have "spots" on the liver, but since we are watched so closely it ends up being a concern. 

Pure

Hi Jenny,

 I would bet anything it's nothing.. One little spot sounds like a benign something or a very alse positive. The act that it is small and only 1 spot really sounds like it's nothing! Hang in there girl:)!

annettek

Jenny- I feel for you-same deal with me on my CT scan..but the onc (that i had then) and my BS both said- forget it- everyone has these "spots too small to classify"...but then I switched oncs and this one freaked and said we must do a PT when you come back in end of April so we can see if it has grown- totally freaking me out...I guess I will do it since in the back of my mind I have been worried ever since I saw her and she said that....argh

AnacortesGirl

Jenny -

I had 4 PETs during my tx because I signed up for a study.  If I had to do it all over again I think I would still have done my chemo trial but skipped the imaging study.  I spent way too much time worrying because every PET would come up with something new.  I want to stay with CTs and MRIs.  Better yet - no scans at all!  Chances are very, very good that it's nothing since the docs don't agree.  You feel good and that is the best test their is!

Beverly11

Jenny - Sorry you are having to deal with this stress.  Limbo is awful.  Likely everything is ok but until you get that word I know it is very tough.

pupfoster1

Crap Jenny,

Try to take it one step at a time.  Hopefully like they said, it's probably nothing.  But I know what you mean.  It hits you when you least expect it.  We're here for you.  

Take care,

Sharon