The spleen explained - posted by Pierre

So, like Laura alluded to yesterday, we met with her oncologist today and asked about the spleen.

Originally, they had classed Laura's lymphoma as Stage III since the spleen was enlarged. The spleen is part of the lymphatic system so it is not uncommon for lymphoma to spread to it (thus making it a Stage III). Once they did the initial gallium scan, the results did not show any uptake in the spleen (i.e. it did not suck up any yummy gallium, as cancer tends to do, and therefore did not show up on the scan). But still the spleen was enlarged so they couldn't really say that there is not cancer there, nor can they say with certainty that there is.

The midpoint gallium scan she had recently came back with the exact same results for the spleen. It is still enlarged but did not show any uptake of gallium.

So, that basically leaves us like everything else. We don't know much. Dr. Chalchal (what a great name) doesn't seem concerned. We will take it as it comes.

#9 tomorrow.