How reliable are CT scans?

Hi Christmas, mmmmm interesting ? Not sure I can add anything but I did have lymph node removal, all clear, I was all clear of cancer on my pre treatment CT scan, belt and braces, chemo, rt and brachy. I was told it was contained in the Womb, but one little cell couldn't be identified as cancer, but couldn't be ruled out either. I had no further CT scan, until I was admitted as an emergency, and have now got secondary endometrial cancer in my lung. I do believe that CT scans are very reliable, if you are given them ! I am gutted that I wasn't given a post treatment scan, given the stage and grade I was. Anyway I'm sure some of the other ladies will be along soon, interesting post but I suppose we can't second guess anything unless its gone under the microscope ?

LC

XX

Thanks LC

sorry to hear of secondary spread and hope you get it sorted

its such a minefield xxx

In October i had a hysteroscopy which showed thickened womb lining and type 3 cancer, serous,  in a polyp in my uterus.  I then had a CT scan (with contrast).of chesf, stomach and pelvis. This showed nothing suspicious apart from  the polyp.  I was then referred to MDT for a decision on type of surgery needed. They requested an MRI (with contrast) before deciding. This too was clear including lymph  nodes. I was staged as 1a type 3. Because it was type 3 I was recommended to have a total Hysterectomy including lymph nodes. 

I had the operation on 15 November and been recovering well, if not at the lightning speed of some ladies here. If only. Afterwards stage was confirmed as Stage 1a type 3 with no further  cancer found besides polyp. (type was changed to clear cell. cell, also type 3.) Had it been type 1, I would have needed no further treatment., Because it is type 3, I have been recommended to have 4 sessions of vaginal brachytherapy staring in January. No chemo. 

Nothing HS been said of any further scans, post  treatment. Will. Keep updated. 

Hi Christmas,

I think the medical profession are very wary of saying the wrong thing these days, the speed some people sue them. My own consultant was very non committal until after I had my operation, then she changed completely and gave me Hi fives!!

The scans I had picked up two issues before my operation. (I had an MRI and CT scans) They picked up the fact that my thyroid was multiplying down the back of my throat with a potential to squash my windpipe. The gap should have been far less than it is. (I can't remember the numbers) They were quick to tell me it wasn't cancer, but I prepared myself for another operation! In the end the throat people were not worried!

The other thing was that they could see some mass on the neck of my womb, which the consultant was worried about. I explained that in my 20's I had an operation there, and then two babies stitched in. It was obviously scar tissue they could see. I think she was thinking it might be cancer.

So, maybe from scans they can't tell exactly what things are. I still think they are pretty good at diagnosing and treating cancer.  xxxxx

Hi Christmas, 

I had the same report about adhesions and scar tissue and everything being stuck together. I was also in surgery for 3 hours due to that additional complication, and also, though they were going to take lymph nodes and an omentum biopsy, they did neither because it was such a mess in there, they couldn't get at things, plus they didn't want to go on due to the 3 hours in surgery. 

My adhesions and scar tissue were caused by a previous fibroid removal years ago ( 9 fibroids removed, womb hooked back into normal alignment with plastic clips, surgeon could only get one of those out) and subsequent draining an ovarian cyst, plus I had IVF ( it worked ,I have 3 children).

Mine was serous grade 3. They also dont seem to have been able to see the scars and adhesions on the MRI and CT planning scans, though my surgeon did open surgery as we both agreed a mess in there was likely. Also I had a laparoscopic exam for fertility problems years ago, which saw that my tubes were wrapped in scar tissue, hence the IVF, and we knew there was at least some scarring .

Because mine was serous grade 3, although they said it was 1B confined to my womb, nothing to see elsewhere on my scans, and no LVSI, I went for radiotherapy and chemotherapy,  cos they'd not been able to take all the samples they'd have liked to. Think I'd have gone for that anyway as it was serous, but those factors  made it a no brainer for me.

So, I suppose your endometriosis would cause all your scars and adhesions.  I understand there are 2 schools of thought about whether to remove  lymph nodes or not, so not having them out, if you dont, is dealt with by radiotherapy. I believe it makes lymphedema less of a risk.

I had 25 sessions of pelvic radiotherapy over 5 weeks, with 2 cycles of cisplatin during radiotherapy and 4 of carboplatin/paclitaxel, after radiotherapy. Post treatment CT scan was clear.

Hope all goes well for you. X

Dear Ladies 

thank you so much for your replies, they have really helped me get my head around this.

Nightingale: your clear cell diagnosis seems at odds with the results from the polyp. Mine is currently diagnosed grade 3 endometrial adeno carcinoma of the uterus. But that was prior to surgery and it seems that can change once under the microscope.

Mrs Woodentop: your earlier fibroid treatment sounds like something out of a sci fi movie! I count myself lucky to have avoided open surgery but that may be due to them not listening to me and not expecting a problem.

Nanny: I’m hanging on to your belief that they know what they’re doing.

All of you agree that the scans can’t pick up scar tissue. However I told them about having Endometriosis and laparoscopy prior to infertility treatment (GIFT).

The surgeons (apparently there were two as help was needed) frightened the life out of me as soon as I came round after the op by saying ‘we found something else we weren’t expecting which worries us’ and proceeded to describe the state of my internal organs. I was left thinking I was riddled with cancer.

I’ve been over the notes with my CSN and they say it could be cancer or Endometriosis.  

Surely surgeons who do this every day should be able to tell the difference? They seem to think a 62 year old can’t have Endometriosis but there have been lots of cases of this as it can actually produce its own Estrogen enough to keep it going.

I think it’s muddying the waters as the polyp was grade 3 but that leaves me in a worse limbo than I was after the polyp results.

I know I have to wait for the results but my initial faith in the surgeon has been shaken. Then there’s the decision not to remove lymph nodes and let chemotherapy deal with it instead. 

Am I just overthinking things and trying to grab back some control? Maybe!

 Thanks again for your replies. My heart sank a bit when none appeared.

Just an aside Ladies. I was told 3 times that I was cured, 3 times. I was told that I didn't need a CT scan after treatment because there was no cancer there to start with, the op had taken all the cancer away, this was just a moping up exercise. When I went for my final treatment check my CNS said there is a bit of a wait for the CT scans at the moment, and my Onc said well she doesn't need one. IF I could turn back the clock I would have paid for my own PET scan after the treatment finished, they pick up the smallest speck of Cancer. Bit too late for me now I'm afraid. Never mind that's life, or maybe not ? 

Love to all, I am still using the head in sand technique at the moment, seems to be working !

LC

XX

Would a CT scan have picked up outstanding cancer cells if done soon after extensive treatment?, ? Might an MRI scan have been needed as well! . My MDT required both scans before deciding on what surgical treatment I needed. BUT maybe that then they would not show up very early cancerous cells

I have just had an operation to remove my uterus, which contained a cancerous polyp "(clear cell type 3 aggressive) and a number of other female organs and lymph nodes. Post op tests showed the polyp was the only infected organ removed, the rest were free of cancer.

A week or so ago I had a long talk with the Oncologist about follow up treatment. He said type 3 cancers were fairly aggressive and had a nasty habit of recurring at a later date so he always recommended vaginal brachytherapy even after a successive operation like mine, where acancer type 3 was diagnosed. He said this was because the post op tests may not always detect them.

I think I may have to live with knowledge that my type 3 cancer is much more likely to recur than a type 1. It will be interesting to see if my follow ups include regular scans and if so, what type. 

*should read:  maybe EVEN then, not THAT then, in Last sentence of 1st para.