Something in the aortic arch

[Dadof2]

Hello,
I am a 66 year old male.  I have had cancer, so the oncologist sent me for a full body ct scan.  He called me urgently the next morning and told me to go to a cardiologist immediatly.  They saw some sort of 'mass' in my aortic arch.  The cardiologist did not seem near as worried and scheduled one of those echos where they go down your throat 3 weeks later.  When they did that, they found 2 spots.  They are only 5mm he said and he thinks they are plaque.  He asked if there was sudden death in my family and I said no.  I've since found my cousin has the very same thing. (And my daughter has pulmonary hypertension and diastolic dysfunction)  He said his only worry is that a blood clot might form where this plaque is and wants me to watch my cholesterol.  Now, I have very very good cholesterol and I'm my ideal weight, in good condition (except for many different episodes of various cancers, most recently half of my stomach was removed due to a cancer). I also have MVP and am on digoxin. My oncologist really frightened me about being so worried about this, and now I'm wondering if I should get a second opinion or what else it might be.  

Thank you for any advice you might have for me.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,

I am sorry to read about your health problems.  I am not sure what to say about this one without seeing the scans.  Certainly if you are in doubt, it is worth getting a second opinion.  Consider going ot a major teaching hospital.  The reason is that in a teaching hospital, if we have  questions about a scan, we just walk down to radiology and ask a radiologist what they think or request a formal read of the study.  Teaching hospitals have much more exposure to rare medical problems and often have more time to research them.

I hope this at leats partially answers your questions.  Good luck and thanks for posting.

[pbanders]

I'll second Al Dente's comment - get a second opinion from a leading cardiologist (like those at Cleveland Clinic).

[momto3girls]

Hey there,

Wow, you've been through a lot I'm guessing.  I would ABSOLUTELY get a 2nd opinion.  Even if it only confirms what the other doctor said, that would be worth it to me.  How awful that your oncologist scared you so.  I'm sure he/she was just covering their own you know what!  Good luck to you and best wishes!

momto3girls