Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Chances Of Tumours In PET Scan Report Being Malignant?
Question: My sister was cancer free and began taking Femara. After a few months her calcium level XXXXXXX She recently had a PET scan and several new tumors were discovered. We saw that new tumors are one of the serious side effects of this drug. Are these tumors considered benign or malignant?
Brief Answer:
most probably not due to femara
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
This is a difficult scenario. Though you have not mentioned where these tumors are, because of high calcium I assume they are in the bones. Please correct me if I am wrong.
This signifies that these are due to spread of the breast cancer. That means femara is not working and the cancer cells have become resistant. That's why it has been stopped.
These tumors look like malignant to me and these are not due to femara.
Hope this helps. If you can upload the full PET report, I can guide you better.
Regards
most probably not due to femara
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
This is a difficult scenario. Though you have not mentioned where these tumors are, because of high calcium I assume they are in the bones. Please correct me if I am wrong.
This signifies that these are due to spread of the breast cancer. That means femara is not working and the cancer cells have become resistant. That's why it has been stopped.
These tumors look like malignant to me and these are not due to femara.
Hope this helps. If you can upload the full PET report, I can guide you better.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The tumors are not in her bones. She has been on infusions since 10/2014 receiving medication that was suppose to keep the cancer from spreading. Her PET in Nov 2014 was all clear. How can all these tumors suddenly appear? All her blood tests were good until taking Femara, which raised her calcium and now these multiple tumors appear that are one of the side effects of Femara. The Femara is the only thing that makes any sense. I have included the PET information for your perusal.
Thanks for your reply. The tumors are not in her bones. She has been on infusions since 10/2014 receiving medication that was suppose to keep the cancer from spreading. Her PET in Nov 2014 was all clear. How can all these tumors suddenly appear? All her blood tests were good until taking Femara, which raised her calcium and now these multiple tumors appear that are one of the side effects of Femara. The Femara is the only thing that makes any sense. I have included the PET information for your perusal.
Brief Answer:
no it is not due to femara
Detailed Answer:
I have gone through the reports. It has spread to the bones as well as lymph nodes. Femara was given to prevent this spread but it has failed unfortunately. A normal PET in November and an abnormal PET now is quite feasible.
At present she needs some other therapy to control this, which may be another hormone like faslodex or some form of chemo. Please discuss this with her oncologist.
Regards
no it is not due to femara
Detailed Answer:
I have gone through the reports. It has spread to the bones as well as lymph nodes. Femara was given to prevent this spread but it has failed unfortunately. A normal PET in November and an abnormal PET now is quite feasible.
At present she needs some other therapy to control this, which may be another hormone like faslodex or some form of chemo. Please discuss this with her oncologist.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
