can MRI scans be read incorrectly?

Hi xxHHxx 

I’m not sure whether an mri might be misinterpreted but wondered if any other scans are in the pipeline for you? An mri I had missed completely the fact that I had a lot of damage from radiotherapy for example, with scar tissue and adhesions. This was when I was being investigated for my recurrence, which meant I was opened up for an abdominal hysterectomy which then couldn’t go ahead when the surgeon saw the reality inside. 

I had a Ct and a petscan which do show a different picture so I wondered if maybe a petscan would be scheduled for you? That would highlight any areas with uptake from the radioactive tracer as more likely to be cancer? 

Sarah xx

Hi,

I have requested a PET , as they were not going to do one.  I am waiting tfor the appointment to come through. 

So maybe it can be read the other way.... scar tissue is seen and they think it's cancer... I don't know, with the uncertainties over the last 18 months or so I'm just trying to figure things out.

I can understand why you’d be concerned with all that’s happened to date. If there is cancer there, rather than scar tissue etc, the expectation is that the pet scan would pick it up as it will light up in the images. It would seem the logical type of scan to be done when there’s doubt. Hope you get it soon and can get on with the right treatment.

Sarah xx

It's driving me crazy, can scare tissue develop many years after treatment ? 

I have an unhealthy obsession with it all at the moment,  but my leg hurts to walk like nerve pain, they say it's because of the growth.. I have to say I am finding it hard to distract my self 

I’m not sure when how long scar tissue can take to develop, but I know that when I went to have my gallbladder removed in 2023, I had a lot of scar tissue from my pelvic exenteration done in 2020. This made it much more difficult for my gastro surgeon and my operation took 4 times longer than normal because of it. I had a CT scan before that op, but it didn’t pick this up.

My surgeon suspected it might be the case, so I consented to open abdominal surgery if required, but when he actually went in to do my surgery he found it, and adhesions which had stuck my gallbladder to my liver etc. Hence, it was a difficult surgery. 

I’m not surprised this is driving you crazy, especially since you are in pain which is a constant reminder of it all. I hope the petscan will give you some clarity.

Sarah xx

That sounds so tricky for you, and sounds like you had a good surgeon. 

Yes I do hope they hurry up with the appointment ....  I really do need a 100% they are sure it's returned.

I would find it incredibly difficult to live through the uncertainty, and especially when you went through this before. 

I was devastated when I had my recurrence, but at least I was told with certainty that the cancer was back and then I could focus on what came next.

Sarah xx