Hi all,
So I met with my oncologist yesterday and I’m starting chemotherapy the w/c 26th Feb. I’m having 8 cycles - 1 cycle every 2 weeks as apparently I’m young (46), fit and healthy! I was marathon training before my diagnosis.
I’m pleased to have a plan and both my surgeon and oncologist have said my treatment is to cure me but I’m still worrying about a few incidental findings on my CT/MRI. So although my CT was ok, they found nodules on my lung - low suspicion and likely scar tissue but will need monitoring and inflamed bowel - likely colitis so referred to gastroenterology for confirmation.
On my breast MRI apparently my sternum has a ‘dip’ in it whatever that means, my surgeon and oncologist haven’t said it’s anything to worry about and there is no mention of it in any of my clinic letters. But I’m now having a bone scan next Friday. They said that if anything is mentioned in a report they have to just check it out but I’m really worried about it - my CT didn’t mention anything about my sternum.
Sorry for the rant and I know I should be grateful I’m having all the tests and starting treatment quickly compared to some - just as I start feeling positive another thing happens that starts the anxiety etc.
It sounds as though your treatment team have been very thorough in the tests and checks they have been doing before your treatment starts. MRI scans etc often show up random scars and other incidental findings that need to be check “in case”. It sounds like your team have an idea what is causing each thing, it is just a case of confirming their initial assessment. You could call the nurses on here to discuss things if you’d like some more advice.
You mention a “dip” in your sternum has been detected, but then no one has followed up on this. Obviously I’m not a medical person, but it sounds like they are talking about the shape your sternum has. My husband has quite a pronounced inwards dip at the bottom of his sternum and I believe they are quite common. You haven’t said what your plan is post-chemo, but might it be a wide local excision. I wondered if your surgeons are noting this as part of their pre-surgery planning. I am sure they will discuss it further if necessary, or you can ask them about it nearer the time.
Have you joined the relevant chemotherapy monthly thread on here? Each group are going through similar experiences and can swap tips and tricks with you and share the highs and lows of this part of your treatment.
Thank you for responding @scientistamafier, I know you are right, I’m such a worrier as I’m sure everyone is who’s going through this.
Yes I think that’s why they mean, my sternum has a ‘dip’ in it, apparently my maternal aunt has the same thing I’ve since found out. Never had an MRI before so didn’t even know I had it. My CT was fine.
I’m having a mastectomy after my chemotherapy with reconstruction using tissue from my abdomen.
I had several incidental findings on my initial imaging, but they all turned out to be of no significance. If you look at so many areas of the body in detail you will find “oddities”.
I too find it incredibly hard when I’m waiting or between treatments.
Once I’m actually doing it, I’m better.
God knows what I’ll be like at the end of treatment, I can see me needing to do all the “how to move on” classes and have counselling etc.
Fortunately these things are relatively easy for us to access either locally or via charities like Macmillan.
I told my consultant I just wanted to move in with her then I’d feel ok
Thank you @Vibby, what you have said is exactly what my surgeon and oncologist have said in that all the incidental findings just need checking out to be sure.
They said that these scans open a can of worms and there are always things that are flagged which are of no significance.
Would you mind if I ask what your incidental CT scan findings were and what extra investigations were carried out? It’s good to hear all were ok.
Mine were a thyroid nodule and a lung nodule.
I’m having a repeat ct on the lung nodule on Monday.
I’ve had an ultrasound on the thyroid which found it to be a 3x2x1.5cm nodule, ‘U3 indeterminate’, so I had to have a fine needle aspiration of which I’m now waiting for the results with trepidation with no real indication of when I will hear or from whom.
This at the same time as still waiting to see the oncologist for my treatment plan (Oncotype DX score is 18 so probably just radiotherapy, ET and biophosphonates). I’ve been waiting for five and a half weeks to hear about this appointment so far, since the follow up appointment for my mastectomy.
So I’d love to hear some positive news about your incidental findings to calm my panicked mind
I had a cyst on my ovary, which at the time of the CT they knew that my cancer was triple neg but the BRACA wasn’t back yet. So it really scared me. I was referred to gynae and seen really quicky, they did blood for the ovarian cancer markers which were low and because id had lots of imaging over the years (CT, MRI and USS) they reviewed them back to 2014 in the Gynae MDT and decided it was a simple cyst, and nothing ominous.
The CT at the time of my BC diagnosis also showed a cyst in 1 kidney, degenerative changes in my spine (but no suggestions of pathological fractures from mets) and calcified fibroids in my uterus.
No further action was deemed necessary once the ovarian cyst thing had been discounted.
Hope that helps.
Xx
