I had a CT scan in Jan. 2019 and @ that time saw such a reduction in my tumors. 56%. I recently had another scan and scan is stable. Can someone tell me is this normal? I was so hoping for more significant decrease in size but don't get me wrong very glad things are stable. I guess just wondering if this is normal. Hoping the Ibrance/ Falsodex still working. I believe my next scan will be 4 to 6 months later so maybe I will c more reduction due to the longer span of my next scan.
Hoping & praying.
Just looking for encouraging words that may explain the scan activity.
Liver Mets dx: March 2018
Written by
Kelly001
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Hello Kelly. Sorry I can’t say if this is normal or not but this happened to me too. My scan in January had a big reduction. Not as much as 56% but still a reduction so I was also concerned that my scan this month was stable rather than more reduction. My oncologist doesn’t seem concerned. He said stable is good. I’m pretty scared though that my next scan might show progression. Maybe our other sisters can shed light on this one. God bless!
Hi Kelly. What you are describing has been my normal. I get somewhat significant decrease during the first three months of treatment, which shows on first PTscan 3 months after start of treatment. Then, things remain stable with little or no decrease, but no progression. Sometimes the FDG avidity decreases, but not the size of existing nodules. I've been on three different treatments since August 2013 MBC diagnosis, each lasting about two years. WIth each treatment it's been the same scenario.
Thank you for your reply. Just v curious. Actually, I have been on treatment for mets since May 2018 so my first scan was the Jan. 2019 scan and then April 2019. If I think of it that way makes more sense to me.
Hi Kelly -
Sounds like a great response, and you (combined with the meds!) might be able to keep this in check for a long time. I be feeling good, proud of my body, and optimistic, in your shoes.
I do have a question for you...where do you get treatment? I've gone through phases with good response, great response, stable response, etc., but have never had a number/% assigned to...this appeals to me greatly! Would love someone to calculate it... I'm currently looking for second oncologist, would consider favorably a center that does this (assuming it's in a decent climate... ).
I am in the Atlanta, Ga area. I get my scans at Northside Forsyth Hospital. I am feeling optimistic. I think I was hoping for more decrease but certainly will take stable.
My first scan after my first 4 months of very irregular use of Verzenio and Ibrance, with no meds the last 5 weeks while dealing with flu and pneumonia, showed almost complete healing of the cancer. My Oncologist was as stunned as we are! I'm on Ibrance 100 mg for another 3 months - doing a 7 day on, 7 day off dosing schedule. I will switch to a 5/2 schedule if my side effects and pain don't improve this cycle. Everything I've read says it can take a few months for our body to adjust to the meds and then the symptoms will ease. Praying that is so!
Were you on antibiotics for the flu and pneumonia? There is a study out revealing that the combination of metforin and antibiotics has cured cancer patients. I am curious wondering if you were on antibiotics, as I assume you were, if that is why you had almost complete healing of the cancer. Metforin is a drug used for type II diabetes. I don't want to raise false hopes but my friend said that newly diagnosed diabetics that also had cancer saw the cancer disappear once they were put on metforin. Please don't over-react as this is a study in progress.
That is wonderful news! Almost complete healing! I also still feel a lot of side effects too. I just take Ibuprofen & try and push through but sometimes I really don't want to take but know that I have too.😢 My Onc. Seems to think it's more of the Falsodex that gives me pain. I am not for sure.
My dr’s said not to take ibuprofen because it makes you bleed. Many a time I have wanted an ibuprofen for pain but had to make do with Tylenol which is not a big help.
Always check with your doctor, but I was diagnosed with a thoracic tumor in October. I had to go out of state for treatment. I was told by a doctor here that I had cancer in my neck. He missed the thoracic tumor. While being misdiagnosed I actually used Lidocaine patches from the Dollar Tree that helped with the horrible pain. No one is more surprised than I am. Thankfully, I was treated with radiation for the thoracic tumor and it is now gone. I also briefly used Oxycotin.
I know Tylenol just doesn't help w my pain. I had surgery lasy year and only took Tylenol. Now I take Ibuprofen. I usually want take anything unless the pain is unbearable. But with the side effects from Meds I now have to give in & take something.
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