
Is Segment Length Of Tumor An Important Factor Compared To Size?

Question: My 89 year old father had a CT scan in August 2014 which indicated "abnormal focal segmental thickening of the wall of the distal sigmoid proximal rectum for 4-5 cm segment, and similar size focal mass lesion of serosal versus gastric wall. (Diagnosed with colorectal cancer confirmed by a biopsy.) In January 2015, he had another CT which said: "Known apple core tumor involving upper 4 cm segment of the rectum dimension on the current exam measuring 4.3 cm." My father opted not to undergo any surgery, and has asked his oncologists whether the tumor has "grown" in the 5 months. They are saying "yes", but I'm not reading that from a comparison of the comments on the August CT vs the January CT. The August CT report did not say how "big" the tumor was. The oncologist is also saying that the "segment" length is more important factor than the size. But, does this mean that the segment was 4-5 cm in August and it is still 4 cm in the January CT. I can't get straight answers from his doctors who I think are "angry" that he won't have surgery. Thank you for any guidance in how to interpret the CT results.
Brief Answer:
Please upload both CT Scan reports in detail for better interpretation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Please upload both CT Scan reports in detail for better interpretation.
Earlier report didn't mentioned exact size(it mentioned 4-5 cm)and present report mention is more exact i,e 4.3 cm.It can be considered as same.
Your oncologist has rightly guided you.Size is not much important.Important factor is grading of tumour and segment involvement.
Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Please upload both CT Scan reports in detail for better interpretation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Please upload both CT Scan reports in detail for better interpretation.
Earlier report didn't mentioned exact size(it mentioned 4-5 cm)and present report mention is more exact i,e 4.3 cm.It can be considered as same.
Your oncologist has rightly guided you.Size is not much important.Important factor is grading of tumour and segment involvement.
Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E


Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you very much. I have uploaded the August 2014 CT scan (pages 1-2) and the February CT scan report (pages 3-4). What I'm trying to determine is how much the cancer has grown/worsened in the last few months.
I also uploaded the PET scan (pages 5-6) which I understand confirms what the CT scan shows.
If you can tell from the CT scans how much worse the cancer has gotten that would be very helpful.
Regards, XXXXXXX
Thank you very much. I have uploaded the August 2014 CT scan (pages 1-2) and the February CT scan report (pages 3-4). What I'm trying to determine is how much the cancer has grown/worsened in the last few months.
I also uploaded the PET scan (pages 5-6) which I understand confirms what the CT scan shows.
If you can tell from the CT scans how much worse the cancer has gotten that would be very helpful.
Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Latest CT scan shows bulky rectal mass which may indicate increase in size.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have gone through all the reports in detail.
Though longitudinal measurement is almost same in both reports but over all appearance is bulky in latest CT scan report which may show increase in size in this time period.
There is no clear comparison which can show exact increase in size.This is not very important factor.
Main concerning factor is grading,aggressiveness of tumour.Possibility of metastasis indicate advance stage.
Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Latest CT scan shows bulky rectal mass which may indicate increase in size.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I have gone through all the reports in detail.
Though longitudinal measurement is almost same in both reports but over all appearance is bulky in latest CT scan report which may show increase in size in this time period.
There is no clear comparison which can show exact increase in size.This is not very important factor.
Main concerning factor is grading,aggressiveness of tumour.Possibility of metastasis indicate advance stage.
Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta


Thank you very much. How do you tell what grade the tumor is? The doctors of said that this is a stage III cancer. Was it a stage III cancer in August as well?
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Grading is done by extension of tumour,lymph node and metastasis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Grading of tumour is determined by three factors local extension of tumour,lymph node involvement and metastasis.
Most likely tumour was stage III in august 2014 but metastasis was doubtful.
Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Grading is done by extension of tumour,lymph node and metastasis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Grading of tumour is determined by three factors local extension of tumour,lymph node involvement and metastasis.
Most likely tumour was stage III in august 2014 but metastasis was doubtful.
Get well soon.
Hope i have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E


Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for this explanation. Would it also help to get the actual images for the August and January CT scans?
Regards XXXXXXX
Thank you for this explanation. Would it also help to get the actual images for the August and January CT scans?
Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Yes,you can send images through attachments of HCM.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes,you can send images through attachments of HCM.
Get well soon.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Yes,you can send images through attachments of HCM.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes,you can send images through attachments of HCM.
Get well soon.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad

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