| Scan only Lymph node diagnosis
Dear Members,
After many months of trying to determine the correct treatment for my father and gathering second opinions at MSKCC (first opinion was low lying rectal mass requiring full APR scheduled 4/4, postponed for second opinions), I am confused by many of the medical records reports I have received ("Medical Records MSKCC" department says they have sent me everything in their computer). In one "progress record", they note "a calcified right thyroid nodule" from a CT scan. In a separate report from an MRI, a notation is made that "a 1.5 x 1cm adrenal nodule is identified." From a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis the findings noted "small axillary and mediastinal lymphadoenopathy is noted. The largest para-aortic lymph node measures 10 x 8 mm, a pretracheal lymph node measures 11 x 6 mm."
After the second opinion at Memorial, Dad was diagnosed at inoperable stage 4 (cancer of unknown primary at MSKCC, yet colorectal in origin at first opinion upstate NY oncologist). Pallative chemotherapy began just yesterday near his hometown in upstate NY.
My questions for you are whether these reading are saying "Yes, these lymph nodes are involved"? I have read about surgeries where lymph nodes are removed and then determined to be malignant or not, but I can not ascertain as a layperson, if these diagnoses are saying that they believe that there is definitive lymph node involvement. If anyone has anything to advise me on this I would greatly appreciate it.
Other than the above diagnostic reports, the only other potential metastases outside of his large rectal tumor are peritoneal carcinomatosis. I have found several cancer centers using a technique called either IHPP or HIIC or IPHC where a heated solution of anticancer drugs is circulated directly into the abdomen treating the tiny tumors to kill the peritoneal carcinomatosis. This treatment has shown great success in Europe, Asia and most recently a few cancer centers in the states. If anyone has any information on this, I would also greatly appreciate it. Thanks so much.
Lynne Brady
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