ET-CT interpretation: I think Keytruda is working

Posted by ladylennie @ladylennie, Nov 4 10:13am

I too could use opinions on my pet-ct results. They look really good to me indicating Keytruda is working. But my oncologist said not to be too pleased because the ground glass opacity may actually be larger and the ct wouldn't show it.

Some background. 2 nodules in left upper lung adenocarcinoma. LUL lobectocmy and left lower lung wedge (AAH). Some nodules in right lung, no FDG uptake for 5 years; in July it was 1.3x1 cm. After surgery, 4 rounds chemo, pemetrexed and carboplatin, followed by Keytruda every 6 weeks. I've been on Keytruda since July 3 infusions so far. So how should I interpret this? My interpretation was that Keytruda is working.

No FDG avid lymph nodes.
Stable small (4mm) right perifissural nodual.
Near complete resolution of non FDG avid right lung ground glass opacities.

Impression:
Stable tiny right lung nodule beyond pet resolution.
Improving non FDG avid right lung opacities.

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Lisa, Volunteer Mentor | @lls8000 | Nov 4 4:45pm

@ladylennie, As most of us will note, we're not doctors and cannot give credible medical advice, but we've also been in similar situations. Take these as general statements.
When I see 'stable' on my own reports, I think that's good. The PET isn't showing that it's getting worse. Your doctor knows your situation, and he's being cautious about your area of ground glass opacity. That's smart too. He's being cautions on holding off on any celebrations. But ultimately you get to decide on how much celebrating you want to do. You have faced some dire times, with multiple treatments and surgery! You've come a long way, and any day that a scan doesn't show something new or a significant increase in size, I'm celebrating. Maybe my 'bar' is set too low, haha. My feeling is that it's all in how you choose to look at it.
Did your doc offer any alternatives that may be better at assessing the ground glass opacity?