28 Oct: Today, we had an Ultrasound scan done for my breast. This is 88 days since I started the first NGPDT treatment, and it's 130days since I found out I had breast cancer. I am still feeling good. But how's the tumors inside me doing? Well all of you might be waiting to find out, here are some photos for you to compare. I have not met the doctors and not gotten their diagnosis yet.
29 Oct. I consulted an Oncologist at Gleneagles hospital today to analyse the ultrasound report. We agreed that it's hard to determine whether the tumors had increased or reduced in size. The previous 2 tumors (in Sept) were measured separately (3.66x3.63x2.54cm and 2.03x1.62x1.81cm). If we add up both nodule's the dimension would be 5.69x5.25x4.34cm.
Compared that with the most current tumor taken yesterday, Oct, whose dimension is 4.1x3.9x2.9cm, it seem that the total tumor mass have shrunken slightly. By itself, this tumor is larger than the previous ones (Aug - see pic below)- hence there is still danger that it is growing. Ultrasound reports does not show the level of activity within the tumor - actively growing or dying.
I don't want to jump to conclusion that my condition is out of danger. The Oncologist today said, "Ultrasound measurement only shows estimated sizes. Because it done by different specialists and different equipment, these results are only rough indications. Sometimes if a specialist pressed hard against the tumor it could flatten the tissues which result in a larger measurement. If the difference is less than 1cm, it is not an accurate comparison."
Next step: The Oncologist recommended that I do a PET Scan on Monday. The SUV of the tumor would be the best indication of how active the tumor is, or not. After that, I can then determine if I need to do a top cut biopsy (tissue sample to determine the type of cancer). If PET Scan show no cancer activities, we may not need biopsy.
29 Oct. I consulted an Oncologist at Gleneagles hospital today to analyse the ultrasound report. We agreed that it's hard to determine whether the tumors had increased or reduced in size. The previous 2 tumors (in Sept) were measured separately (3.66x3.63x2.54cm and 2.03x1.62x1.81cm). If we add up both nodule's the dimension would be 5.69x5.25x4.34cm.
Compared that with the most current tumor taken yesterday, Oct, whose dimension is 4.1x3.9x2.9cm, it seem that the total tumor mass have shrunken slightly. By itself, this tumor is larger than the previous ones (Aug - see pic below)- hence there is still danger that it is growing. Ultrasound reports does not show the level of activity within the tumor - actively growing or dying.
I don't want to jump to conclusion that my condition is out of danger. The Oncologist today said, "Ultrasound measurement only shows estimated sizes. Because it done by different specialists and different equipment, these results are only rough indications. Sometimes if a specialist pressed hard against the tumor it could flatten the tissues which result in a larger measurement. If the difference is less than 1cm, it is not an accurate comparison."
Next step: The Oncologist recommended that I do a PET Scan on Monday. The SUV of the tumor would be the best indication of how active the tumor is, or not. After that, I can then determine if I need to do a top cut biopsy (tissue sample to determine the type of cancer). If PET Scan show no cancer activities, we may not need biopsy.
27Oct 2011
The 2 original tumor masses have fused into one bi-lobed mass measuring:
4.1x3.9x2.9cm.
Previously there were 2 nodules measuring:
3.66x3.63x2.53cm and
2.03x1.62x1.81cm
The 2 original tumor masses have fused into one bi-lobed mass measuring:
4.1x3.9x2.9cm.
Previously there were 2 nodules measuring:
3.66x3.63x2.53cm and
2.03x1.62x1.81cm
1 Sept 2011 Larger nodule tumor 3.66x3.63x2.53cm. Smaller nodule tumor
2.03x1.62x1.81cm
2.03x1.62x1.81cm
13 Aug 2011. This was the scan taken immediately after the first NGPDT treatment. The Radiologist only measure the 'twin' nodule as one single tumor:
3.9x2.2x3.2 cm
3.9x2.2x3.2 cm