Recurrence or Parathyroid Disease? - 1270856

Eileen
Posts:4

I had an UL lobotomy in 2006 and have been NED on all scans since then. Today, my PC had me come in as my last bloodwork showed an elevated calcium level. She indicated this was worrisome due to my lung cancer and wanted another sample to retest. Having had cancer, do I think recurrence or metastasis only, or is parathyroid disease a possibility w/out cancer being involved? (Strange to be back here; feeling a little deja vu.)

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JimC
Posts: 2753

Hi Eileen,

Although I'm sorry you have the need be here, welcome back to GRACE. An elevated calcium level can have various causes, and recurrence from lung cancer from nine years ago would not be the most likely of them. The doctors here have consistently stated that the two best ways to monitor a patient for recurrence are periodic scans and clinical evidence of how a patient is feeling. Although it makes sense to follow-up on the findings from the blood test, and if necessary your next scan could be moved up, I hope that you can try not to let thoughts of recurrence get ahead of the evidence.

Good luck with your follow-up, and please let us know how it goes.

JimC
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Eileen
Posts: 4

I have consistently been scanned and monitored over the years. This came up during a routine blood draw for AIC and thyroid levels. It was just a bit shocking to hear it might be related to recurrence. I thought I had finally reached the place too where every ache and pain doesn't send you into cancer panic. Guess not.