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Is anyone actually out there—still breathing? My third cycle just kicked off after a five-year gap following my second one, which was actually decent. How do I even go about getting an oxygen tank and some home medical gear set up? Honestly, trying to hop in a car and rush to the ER in this state feels like a terrible idea.
Is there actually any hope that things will turn around after this next round of chemo? Is there anything left on the table besides more chemo?
So, is it actually possible for new metastases to pop up while someone is still undergoing chemo—like, specifically hitting the liver? And if they do, can surgeons even step in to cut them out? I’m assuming if they just appeared, they’d be tiny...
Also, could use some help deciphering this bit
Disease stage: T3N0M1b
Metastasis in the liver and adrenal glands
Multiple brain metastases; history of brain radiation therapy
Status post chemotherapy (Stage IV)
History of cervical radiation therapy (XX sessions)
Secondary anemia
Hey everyone.
I'm in desperate need of some help decoding this medical report. I couldn't find any "Ask a Doctor" sites online—hoping there might be some folks here who speak the language—so here’s what we're looking at:
Medical History
diagnosis: adenocarcinoma of the lower lobe of the right lung
diagnosed: 02/2013
cytology: adenocarcinoma
disease stage: T3N0M1b
surgery: none
Completed 4 cycles of chemo so far, plus radiation to the brain (10 fractions x 3 Gy, finished 4/10/2013)
diagnosis:
adenocarcinoma of the lower lobe of the right lung
metastasis to liver and adrenal glands
multiple brain metastases; history of brain irradiation
status after other chemotherapy (PE IV)
History of irradiation for cervical cancer (XX sessions)
secondary anemia
CHEST CT, ABDOMEN CT:
Native MSCT scan of chest and abdomen performed on 7/29/2013 for patient XY with diagnostic findings of adenocarcinoma of the right lower lung lobe (stage IV) and multiple brain metastases. In the scanned areas of the neck base and both axillae, several lymph nodes are visible, measuring up to 1cm. In the middle mediastinum, several lymph nodes measure up to 1cm in long axis. Within the parenchyma of the right middle lobe, a spindle-shaped infiltrate measuring 5.6x2cm is noted, with partially spiculated edges spreading toward the visceral pleura, showing morphological characteristics of a bronchoproliferative process. Near the ventrolateral part of the described mass, a small 2-3mm nodule is present in the right lower lobe parenchyma; further out, two small nodules measuring 4-5mm are seen in the right lower lobe. In the apical part of the left lower lobe, there is a 7mm nodule. No pleural effusion. In the scanned proximal abdomen, the liver is riddled with multiple hypodense lesions ranging from tiny spots to a largest one near segments V and VI, measuring 9mm.
The pancreas, spleen, and both kidneys appear normal with no visible lesions on the native scan. A small kidney stone is noted in the collecting system of the right kidney. At the junction of the branches of the left adrenal gland, an oval, solid, expansive mass measuring 12mm is visible, highly suspicious for a secondary lesion. The morphology of the left adrenal gland itself appears normal. Several lymph nodes in the retroperitoneal lumbar region measure up to 12mm.
Impression:
Patient XY was referred for evaluation, which determined stable clinical status with stationary findings in the lungs. Abdominal CT confirmed newly developed secondary changes in the liver parenchyma; continuation of treatment with second-line chemotherapy is indicated.
What I'm specifically hung up on is the underlined part. Does all this mean the original tumor in the main bronchus—which already spread to the brain—has somehow vanished from the lungs, only for a new metastasis to pop up in the liver? Is that even possible?
I would seriously appreciate anything anyone can throw my way—whether it's translating this gibberish, offering advice, or just a bit of clarity.
Thanks,