I am a 65 year-old woman in good condition. I was diagnosed in 06 with mid-gut carcinoid (neuroendocrine cancer.) Tumors were removed from omentum, root of mesentery, ovary, small bowel, peritoneum, bladder, rectum, 10 or 12 lymph nodes were positive for carcinoid. I have been on continuous infusion pump of octreotide acetate for three years. I had three rounds of 177-Lutetium ending in March of this year (2010.) I still have small tumors in the mediastinum and liver. Most are not metabolically active according to recent PET and MRI. But I know this is just a reprieve. What course should I seek in the future? At what point should I do this?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Neuroendocrine tumors are known to affect mediastinal lymph nodes, live, lung etc. So better to get done PET scan every six monthly and see the size and number of hot spots. Hot spots are due to increased uptake of PET dye. And this suggests possibility of malignant lesion. So if your PET scan show larger uptake or increased in the number of lesions than these suggest worsening of neuroendocrine tumor and hence you need remission chemotherapy. So consultation with oncologist and PET scan every six monthly are required in your case. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks