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Breast Cancer/pet/ct scan results/former breast cancer patient

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Expert: - 1/11/2006


Question
what does this mean in laymen's terms: There is extensive left axillary tumor with infiltration around the left brachial plexus, distant metastases are not seen.  There is increased uptake involving the esophagus. it is more focal at the gastroesophageal junction than is usually seen, this is likely due to peristalsis although esophagitis related to reflux disease is a possibility. correlation for symptoms of reflux would be helpful would be helpful-this was given to a former breast cancer patient that is now experiencing pain in her arm and this is the result of her pet/ct scan, but what exactly could this mean?

Answer
It means that: there is large tumour growth inside her left armpit (probably her breast cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes there)invading the tissues of and around the nerve station supplying her left arm. No other tumour growth is seen. There is an increased uptake in her esophagus (the "food canal" from her throat to her stomach) more at the border between the esophagus and the stomach than is usually seen. Can be due to normal movements in the esophagus but also be due to a leaking stomach where acidic stomach content leaks up (refluxes) and irritates the esophagus. They ask for confirmation of any symptoms of such a condition. Her left arm pain is most probably due to her tumour growth into the nerves supplying her left arm.  

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions about Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Colon Cancer

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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