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What Does This CT Scan Report Indicate?

Posted on Wed, 1 Jun 2016

Question: I had a CT done recently. One area is concerning. There are soft tissue attenuation surrounding the pelvic ureter which has increased slightly. There is a small area of soft tissue Nodularity measuring 0.8 x 1.4cm. Previously 0.6 x 0.6. What does this mean? Is it cancer? It is the first time I am seeing it. Was not on previous scan. Help!

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
does not necessarily mean cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

This report does not necessarily mean cancer. There is a soft tissue nodular area which may be because of scar from previous surgery, infection and also tumor/cancer. It seems to have slightly increased from previous scan.

However, I am unable to comment more than this because you have not furnished any details. What are the symptoms, why this scan was done, etc. You are getting periodic CT scans of abdomen,the reason for which is also not explained in the info you have provided.

Please revert back with more details so that I can help you better.

Warm regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (3 hours later)

I am being treated for cancer. I have received radiation & I am on a 3 week chemo cycle. I have had a stent put in that area a few months ago. I have had radiation to that area which ended in January. This is the first time I am hearing of anything there. I guess the last radiologist did not mention. My doctor isn't sure how such a small area of growth was measured. I am very worried. The chemo was supposed to be my adjunct therapy & I wasn't expecting growth.

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
suspicious for recurrence of cancer

Detailed Answer:
Hi

You have furnished some details, which does help. But I am still in the dark regarding the type of cancer, was it cervical/uterine?

In view of this background this is suspicious of cancer but definitely not confirmatory. I would recommend a PET-CT 3 months from end of RT to throw more light on it. Just on the basis of this small nodule on CT no treatment change is probably warranted.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (28 minutes later)

I am being treated for cervical cancer. Why do you think this was not mentioned before? Do you think they thought it was benign and aren't sure now? My doctor said it could possibly be radiation damage but why did radiologist put no explanation? Can a benign tumor grow. Wouldn't it be unusual for a cancerous tumor to grow on chemo if the other soft tissue focus is shrinking?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
size was too small before

Detailed Answer:
Before the size was 0.5 cm, too tiny to mention. Now size has increased a bit, that's why worth to mention. It could definitely be radiation-induced. Radiologically not always possible to differentiate, that's why radiologist did not put explanation.

It is indeed unusual for cancer to grow on chemo if everywhere else it is shrinking (especially if it is first time treatment) but not impossible.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 days later)

Thank you. If it is cancer is surgery ever an option?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
surgery may be an option

Detailed Answer:
But first we need to make sure that the lesion at least has high probability of cancer

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar