Finished 3 courses of Chemo, GemCarbo, & had scan last week.
Oncologist phoned today, said result "Better than he had expected".
I said "Has the tumor shrunk", he said "it's hard to measure because it's now not a solid lump, it's a shadow"
Should I be pleased?
What does he mean, "Just a shadow"?
I have no idea but if I were to place a bet I would say it sounds positive! Strange he/she didn’t explain more … have you tried calling your nurse? She/he will be able to help and get more answers for you!
No, not called the nurse. Thanks for your reply.
Other members:- Any more information?
Could you ask for a copy of the scan report? Then ask them to explain it again in clearer terms x
If you have a copy of the report then you can compare it with your next scan too. You could also ask for a copy of your first scan report to compare
Dear Beatless
It is encouraging that the oncologist said it ' was better than expected' and understandable how you have been left perhaps feeling a little confused.
With solid tumours usually the margins can be well defined and easy to measure, with a shadow you can imagine that it is more difficult to see therefore difficult to measure and define.
You need more clarification what this means and you can either contact your lung cancer nurse, oncologist or GP to discuss.
If you would like to discuss anything you can either email us at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200
Kind regards
The Roy Castle Support Team
Thanks all, have arranged to discuss with Nurse on Friday
I guess it does sound confusing - the oncologist is clearly reading from the report that would have been done and verified by experienced radiologists/imaging - covid 19 revealed what short supply there is nationally of those able to interpret thoracic scans well as this speciality has mostly been developed for lung cancer/respiratory diseases. I'm never sure that getting copies of clinical scans/letters helps as they're written in medical terminology designed to help healthcare professionals who study for years to gain their experience but I know when I asked one patient who said he always asked for his how he can understand them, he revealed he was a doctor himself! So if it helps for comfort, then by all means ask but if you might not know what you're looking at - I certainly had never seen a CT for example before I was shown my own and didn't even know which way was up! The oncologist has tried to put it into plain language and clearly failed but I certainly would be pleased if it was my scan but I'd always encourage that if you don't understand something you're told to query it with the team themselves who will have your results there and can also learn to improve their communication skills for next time or with other patients... good luck.
Shadow on lung or lungs
My Mums got lung cancer
Waiting for results of Lung Biopsy - Scared!
Incurable but treatable stage 4
