help understand pet scan results

[rickandchas]

My husband had colorectal cancer in 2005. He had the j-pouch reconstruction surgery and had his entire colon removed. His cancer was stage 2 and all surrounding lymph nodes came back negative. He has been doing great. He recently had his blood work checked and his cea level was up slightly. I had heard that infections can make the cea level rise. He had the flu when his levels were checked. The doctor even prescribed him an antibiotic for it so I wasn't too concerned. However, they scheduled a pet scan and it came back with one 5-6cm spot on his liver. The doctor has an mri scheduled later this week. I have had several people tell me that usually if its mets there is almost always more than just one spot on the liver. Are these people just trying to make me feel better or is there any truth to this at all.

[rickandchas]

Well, alcohol isn't a problem. He really only drinks during college football season. UGH! LOL.

Thank you very much for your time.

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
since our disease may invove the liver, the best advice would be to limit liver damage
this means that a limit should be set on alcohol

in general, a regular, balanced diet and sufficient exercise should be adequate... there are no known supplements that make a big impact on top of the goal of targeting ideal weight for height and  exercise.

[rickandchas]

Thank you for your response. We are just praying for the best and awaiting the outcome. He is only 34 years old and we have a 4 year old, so we will definetly be prepared to fight no matter what the outcome.
I also have another question if you dont mind. No one ever suggested any kind of diet or foods to avoid after surgery. Are there any foods he should be avoiding or certain vitamins or supplements that he could be taking to help him?

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
The pattern of metastasis for colon cancer is usually a few metastasis not a single mass whether it is in the liver or the lung. Infections can form false signals on the PET.
Try to be prepared though for the possibility that it is cancer.
The presence of liver metastasis is not necessarily incurable. There are patients who undergo curative treatment (unfortunately this means more surgery and chemotherapy).
The MRI will help evaluate what was seen in the PET, and if malignancy indeed is suspected - it would also help assess chances of cure.
Keep an open mind and discuss what options are available to you when the diagnosis is in.
Stay positive