Dodged a couple of bullets but got winged by a third one. Had my annual CT scan in early Dec. If you have a choice DON’T schedule scans during a holiday period. Schedules & office confusion reigns supreme. Good news, lungs were clear, now 4 yrs out. As in 2013 another liver lesion found, ultrasound said benign cyst. Scary, but still good news. The slow growing leomyoma / GIST being followed for the past couple of years really grew from 3.5 cm X 1,6 cm to 5.2 cm X 10.0 cm. Endoscope ultrasound needle biopsy taken, results not in yet. From what the Gastro Dr. & a Pathologist saw they thought it was most likely a benign GIST. No matter what, next week will meet with a surgeon to get it out. Let's hope it's not a repeat of my 1992 leomyoma sarcoma.
Andy
Reply # - January 9, 2015, 09:09 PM
Andy,
Andy,
Given that your sarcoma was over 20 years ago, I wouldn't presume the worst. In the remote event that this is felt to be a recurrence, I'd take heart that anything that takes over 20 years to recur should be expected to have an extremely indolent overall pattern of progression. This wouldn't be my leading consideration.
I'm gratified your lungs were clear. By 4 years out, your chance of recurrence is very low, approach the range of 1% per year, and the value of regular annual scans will be more to screen for a potential new, separate cancer than a recurrence of a remote prior one. The risk of a new cancer is low, but the chance of a recurrence becomes even lower than that as you get out beyond 4-5 years.
Good luck with your upcoming meeting and the likely upcoming surgery. And your point around getting testing done around the holidays is well taken, though there is often a flurry of imaging studies and procedures done in late December as people scramble to get things done that are already covered under their previously paid deductible for the calendar year. It tends to be a busy time, during which doctors still often want to take time off with their own families, leading to potential gaps in patient care that are difficult.
-Dr. West
Reply # - January 11, 2015, 04:39 PM
Thank's for the reply & well
Thank's for the reply & well wishes. As far as your 2nd paragraph I'm quite an outlier. Starting with the 1992 sarcoma every 6 yrs. I've a lung cancer. They've been classified as new onsets because of the time delay but they’ve all been squamous. So if history holds I’ve got 2 yrs. to go. I’m ready to quit that cycle. I believe it does show the importance of scans beyond 5 yrs. despite the radiation dangers.
Andy
Reply # - January 11, 2015, 08:29 PM
Point well taken. -Dr. West
Point well taken.
-Dr. West
Reply # - February 19, 2015, 11:47 AM
While it's not lung cancer,
While it's not lung cancer, thank God, over the years I feel as a part of the cancergrace family. I'd like to update you on my latest cancer battle with my GIST tumor. After starting out with my oncology group of 23 yrs. I had to switch to the VA, where I have been getting my drugs over the years. There is a magical targeted chemo drug, Imatinib, (Gleevec) that works wonders on GIST's. The regular cost per month is $9,000, my VA cost will be $8.00 a month. A no brainer, though I will say I was very favorably impressed with my visit to the VA. Plan is to do a CT scan to get a base line size of the tumor, start the pill, then go 4 months, do another scan & if shrinking keep on it till it stops, then consider surgery. I'd prefer no surgery but if I have to at least it should have shrunk enough so they won't have to take out most of my stomach as the would now. Then I'll stay on Gleevec for a few more years. God! how can society afford these prices. By the way found the records of that GIST of 23 yrs. ago. It was huge, 18.0 cm X 15.1 cm.
Andy