Feeling scared

Hi Nelly1955

The PET scan is purely procedural my mum had to have one before ever intervention . It’s absolutely standard .

My mum’s oncologist told us the radiologists are giving surgeons a run for their money with radio frequency ablation. 

Although it was on her lung Marianne26 could explain the process for Radio frequency ablation. 

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/thermal-ablation
This explains it a bit more .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Nelly, Court has factored me in here....& I'm happy to give my experiences with both,,,though the Radio Frequency Ablation you refer to was in my lung....not my liver (which I have no experience of.) However, I can't imagine there's much difference. It really is a very non invasive procedure....which you have under either sedation or GA. (I chose the latter.) In either case, it's usually a one night stay in hospital. I woke with two tiny plasters on the sites of entry...& simply went home & resumed life....It was that simple. It's performed whilst in a CT Scanner, & the needles are ultra thin & target the lesions....& simply blast them away.I had my procedure last October, then a CT scan a month later....that showed it had worked, & the cancerous lesions had disappeared.

As for your concerns with a full body pet scan. I also had that last year. It's no different to a normal CT Scan...though the tube you lie in is far narrower...like a shallow tunnel...so, it's a bit more claustrophobic.....but remember, it only takes at most 15 mins. Just watch the clock at the top, & time down the seconds.....You'll be fine. If they need to do the ablation procedure, you will have to endure this beforehand.....so that the radiographers know exactly where the lesions are to insert the needles.

If you are able to have this procedure, you should feel fortunate....as it means less invasion on your body! There are not many hospitals in the UK that do this.....I had to travel from Bridport to Bournemouth to have mine done. But believe me, I was very grateful for the opportunity.

Wishing you well

Marianne

Thank you Court, I think I did have a pet scan at the start of my treatment but not a whole body. Well whoever said this is like a roller coaster ride wasn’t wrong. I really appreciate you replying. My daughter was with me on Wednesday to listen to the call. When I phoned them yesterday the girl said she put me in for Monday, but they phoned today. It’s a bit hard to take it all in, so your information is so welcomed x

Hi Marianne, I just want to say a big thank you for taking the time to let me know what happens. I’ve got to say when you mentioned Bridport I know it well. My husband was taken from Dublin when his parents died to live with his aunt and uncle in South street near West Bay. His cousin now lives in Bradpole. It’s a lovely part of the country. We live in London, we spent a lot of time with our kids when they were small crab fishing at West Bay. Thank you once again. X

Hi Marianne, I got so caught up in thinking about West Bay forgot to ask, did you have to have chemo or anything after it was done? And do you have it once or go back and have repeated sessions? X

Morning Nelly......Yes, it's good to have memories! West Bay is still here & lovely!

A CT scan picked up the two lung nodules in March '20.....Both very small (largest at 5mm.) However, my Oncologist decided to treat first with 8 cycles of Capecitabine cycles of Chemo. I had 6 cycles (as Chemo was causing bad Palmar Plantar in feet & hands.) However, the chemo managed to shrink both tumours by October. So, my Oncologist got in touch with the Bournemouth team. I got a call on a Friday....to tell me they had a cancellation for the RFA on the Monday....which I immediately said yes to.

Because it worked for me....I needed no Chemo afterwards. My last CT scan was in March....which showed no evidence of cancer anywhere. So for now, I am cancer free & very very relieved.

Prior to the procedure, I was advised that if it did not work, it can be repeated numerous times!

I wish you all the best....but any more questions, don't hesitate to get in touch,

Marianne x

Thank you Marianne, I really do appreciate on this site when people reply, chemoradiation got rid of bowel cancer, but they found W hat they said was nearly missed was 1 cm on my liver. I’m scared the body scan is going to throw up something else. Has you might have gathered positivity is not one of my strong points, I wish it was.  So It’s back in the waiting game. Thank you for the information.  I happy that you didn’t need any chemo after. Xx