Pet Scan Results

Hi Rachel,

sorry to hear about your mum; it is good having this kid of information but when it is all in a language that is hard to understand it can be more challenging.

So before the PET scan your mum will have had an injection usually a kind of radioactive sugar. Cells that use energy quickly will absorb a greater amount of this. The doctors use a term standardised uptake value to measure this. 

The second comment says there is something in the other lung which is there opinion would be consistent with metastases. If it is metastatic then it might suggest surgery to remove the cancer might not be effective but of course that does not mean other options are not available.

Squamous cell carcinoma can start in many places including lung and skin, I trust the oncology team are are of the mass on her nose too.

From this is sounds like the doctors are very close to getting to a treatment plan, that waiting process we all recognise can be very difficult but as the treatments are often very targeted it does pay.

hope that helps

<<hugs>>

Steve

Hi Steve 

Thanks for your reply...much appreciated although I am after a little more in terms of the detail. Unfortunately surgery is not an option, and at this point chemo is unlikely as terminal (and due to her quick deterioration she is not well enough to cope with it - also she lives in a rural area so the travelling to the nearest hospital is over an hour and its deemed not necessarily in her best interests to go this route when considering her quality of life)  so radiotherapy and pain management is the route at this stage....(actual confirm of the cancer only 6 weeks ago and this was only in the one lung so a very quick spread) 

We are aware of PET scan term re SUV, but are trying to understand the term "max 19.1" in how that breaks down into the aggressiveness of the cancer?

To confirm that the reference of metastases in the left lung is, as we think secondary lung cancer?

Whether the reference of squamous cell is in reference to the respiratory system or skin? 

We have only just had the PET scan/biopsy results so are yet to meet with the oncology team (Thursday next week) so are trying to get a grip on the actuals before then......she is currently on morphine patches and tablets (liquid was a no go and trying to work on the level of morphine needed between the patches and tablets to get a balance of pain management) but is going in Monday for measurements for an extensive dose of radiotherapy ahead of the official meeting with the oncology team due to the amount of pain she is in due to the invasion into the rib cage....

Its all a bit overwhelming and the more you look into it, the more questions it raises...we are under no illusions that her prognosis is anything but the worst you could expect, but trying to understand the specifics of it......Its very difficult when all of a sudden you have to be the adults of the relationship and take charge...even at nearly 50, its a bit of a shock when the roles are suddenly reversed...You always expect your parents to be there to look after you even though you know at some point that role will change......

Again, appreciate your reply....Anyone who takes the time to reply to a message is a help and this is why I joined the group......

Kind regards and thanks for the hugs! Sending them back 

Rachel 

Hi again Rachel, understand just where you are coming from, my wife and I have been living with cancer for six years now but hers did respond to treatment and appears to have gone to sleep, If you want help with more technical questions you might find the Ask a Nurse quite useful and of course for more direct support you would be welcome to ring the helpline 0808 808 0000 - open 8am-8pm seven days a week.

Hope they manage to get the pain relief sorted, I can directly relate to issues with that. In terms of how you and the rest of your family are feeling I wonder if it might be helpful to look at I'm looking after someone with cancer to make sure you get the support you need.

<<hugs>>

Steve

Thanks Steve ...

I've already messaged the "ask a nurse" but was just reaching out...…..lots of valuable advice and support on here......

Glad to hear your wife is doing ok....lets hope that continues!

Thanks again for your comments....much appreciated!

Returning hugs

Rachel