CT Scan interpretation update

Today was my appointment with Dr. Martins, prior to starting the second cycle of the clinical trial (every 2 weeks for 2 months).

Bad news first:  Dr. Martins explained that the tumors, in the aggregate, had increased in size 9 %.  He said that if the increase had been 21% or higher, I would be out of the trial. 

The good news is, however, that the largest of the tumors (3 of them) show necrotizing in the center.  I looked at the ct scans and could see that they were darker in the center and it seemed that about 80% of the area was darkened.  Dr. Martins also said that he's has never seen this development in lung cancer adenocarcinoma.  Sometimes in other types of cancer but not this.  So he is assuming it is a result of the new therapy.  Next ct scan will show whether the necrotizing centers of the tumors are truly an indication of death or rather that they are an indication of growth of the tumor. 

I consulted with another Seattle oncologist about this, before I knew the measurements, and his response was:  "If it's enlarging, then it's most compatible with progression and just having some death in the inner core from growing too fast."   So we are not out of the woods yet.