Changes in CT Over a Year's Time

[bschmalfeldt]

A year ago, I saw my family doctor with symptoms of unexplained weight loss, vague abdominal pain, early satiety, etc.  A CT scan and follow-up endoscopy came back negative, save for a solitary fundic gland polyp.

I had a repeat CT scan last Friday, and there is a large (it's in 14 separate slices of the CT scan) enhancing mass, in the antrum (I think) of my stomach that clearly was NOT there in the March 2008 CT study.  It appears bulky with air pockets.  I have photos of that portion of the scan and had intended to include them in this post, but I see that there isn't an "add photos" area in this section.  I have posted the photos in the "Cancer Community" however.

Is there any "innocent" explanation for such a large, enhancing mass in an otherwise empty (save for the oral contrast" stomach?



Thank you.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Wish you good luck with the EGD scopy!
Keep us posted.

[bschmalfeldt]

That is exactly what it was.  Thank you.  I couldn't remember the word he used.

Some new info...  picked up a copy of the radiologist report yesterday.  The word "stomach" doesn't even APPEAR in the report, nor is there any mention about the mass.  You've seen the pictures -- as substandard as they are -- how does a radiologist MISS that???

My family doctor is suggesting that I go ahead and get an EGD, which I will do.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Perhaps the duodenum had infiltration with lymphocytes in the previous biopsies.
In any case, now you need an endoscopic antral biopsy (and preferably a PET scan too) to confirm the diagnosis.
All the very best!

[bschmalfeldt]

He did not biopsy the polyp last year, but he did biopsy at a couple sites in the duodenum that came back with an elevated count of some sort of white blood cell.  So I take it from your reply that my doctor will want to pursue this?

Thanks again!

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Was the stomach polyp biopsied at the time you were first seen for weight loss and early satiety? Are your symptoms still persisting?
An enhancing mass in the antrum of the stomach in the current CT scan must be biopsied, especially in the light of your symptoms.
I would hesitate to interpret the pictures you have uploaded (size, quality, and lack of complete sequences) but would recommend that you get a full workup done.
All the Best, and God Bless!

[bschmalfeldt]

Correction.  Photo from last Friday's CT is here.  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/786759?personal_page_id=359148

[bschmalfeldt]

Photo from 2008 CT is here.  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/786758?personal_page_id=359148

Photo from last Friday's CT is here.  http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/786758?personal_page_id=359148

Thank you.