Lacking in Contrast

Brain cancer is...

...fading, it appears.

Dr. Cloughesy confirmed the good news regarding Darrell's scan:  No new growth.


In the images, above, Numbers 1 and 2 are the former scan (September).  Numbers 3 and 4 are the current scan (November).


Compare Numbers 1 and 3, and compare 2 and 4.  Numbers 2 and 4 show the edema (swelling).  Dr. Cloughesy says there's a little less edema in 4 than in 2.  That is, the gray saucer shape is thinner this month than last time. There's a little less swelling now.


Numbers 1 and 3 compare the tumor cavity itself.  You see in Number 3 that there is no change in size of the tumor cavity.  No growth.  Now comes the new hopeful thing:  Do you see how Number 3 is lower contrast than Number 1?  It's harder to see the tumor cavity itself? 


We forgot until today that important piece of MRI information:  Tumor and related cells "light up" on a contrast MRI.  Therefore, it follows that the less "lit up" tissue there is, the less tumorous tissue there might be.  See this website for a helpful primer on brain MRIs.


Dr. Cloughesy was guarded in his interpretation of the low contrast.  For instance, he asked Darrell if the tech had trouble getting the contrast dye into Darrell's arm during the test.  (No trouble, by the way.)


It's pretty difficult not to feel optimistic about these results in any case.  Thanks you, cancer treatments!


Darrell's next appointment with Dr. Cloughesy isn't until next year:  January 2017.  That sounds pretty sweet doesn't it Team D?


Have a sweet, sweet Monday!