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Colon Cancer/metastatic melanoma

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Expert: - 8/22/2006


Question
my 14th pet/ct yesterday showed two foci of abnormal uptake one in the hilar and the second in the infrahilar region compatible w/ metastatic disease.  also is said there is increased activity in the right margin fo the lower portion of the sternum.  Any comments?

Jon Lewis

Answer
Those findings are indeed compatible with metastatic disease. However these radiology images do not tell you what kind of tumour that is causing these signs. Since you mention melanoma I suppose you have undergone surgery for a malignant melanoma in the past. That makes it probable but not certain that these lesions are due to melanoma. To know with certainty what they are at least one biopsy is needed. It is probably easiest to get it from the lesion in your sternum. A wide bore needle biopsy there would provide material for diagnosis - necessary in order to evaluate what can be done with regards to this. There are some interesting experiments with immunotherapy going on against malignant melanoma. I can not promis results, but I still recommend you to try such a treatment if possible. Radiation & chemo therapies do not show much effect against melanoma and it is now too late for a surgical solution! I do hope these comments have been of some help!

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience with regards to this cancer.

Experience

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 in these categories: Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Breast Cancer.

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

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