Brief Answer:
Meaning of measurements for patient's tumor

Detailed Answer:
HI,
asking about measurements of her "tumor" don't know what type.nor which organ.

1. I do not know what type of study these numbers come from

2. Typically, diagnostic studies that measure sizes of tumors are given in CENTIMETERS (cm.) as opposed to inches. Therefore, I would assume that the measurements in March of this tumor (whatever it is or is thought to be) was 6.0 cm x 7.3 cm. x 4.9 cm. That means they are announcing to the reader the LENGTH= 6.0 cm., the WIDTH= 7.3 cm. and DEPTH= 4.0 cm.

3. Depending upon from which organ or in which body space these measurements come from the size could be considered large or not as large. If all I had were these numbers to look at I would say that the tumor is probably of a moderate size.

4. The following numbers in August demonstrate the tumor's Length x Width x DEPTH as 7.3 cm. x 5.4 cm. x 4.4 cm. This would signify a GROWTH in 2 dimensions (length and depth) but shrinkage in 1 dimension (width).

If I am to assume some sort of cubical or rectangular geometry to this tumor...which is probably approximate then, the volume of the tumor in March= 215 cubic cm. In Aug. the volume is calculated as 173 cubic cm.

This represents about a 24% reduction in volume of the tumor. I would take that as potentially very good news. Perhaps, they hit it with chemo, radiation, or both? Or perhaps it is spontaneously regressing?

If I've adequately answered your questions then, I'd greatly appreciate your CLOSING the query to this encounter. I am happy to answer more questions regarding this or any other case of medical interest. Cheers!

Thanks.

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Brief Answer:
You are correct- 2 dimensions less & 1 bigger...but MORE RELEVANT is VOLUME

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
width and depth of the tumor apparently got smaller. Now, be aware also, there can be error in measurements depending upon several factors:

1. Who is reading the baseline measurement vs. who is reading the followup measurement? Are they the same people?

2. Are they measuring with hand tools (sometimes done...nowadays most measurements are done with electronic tools built into the software...but it is still prone to error since the operator must place the cursor from the initial point where measurement is to begin and a 2nd cursor to end the measurement.

3. So again, depending on who is measuring, I've seen measurement vary as much as up to 0.5 cm. in one dimension.

4. Notwithstanding the ONE measurement which GOT BIGGER from one month to the next the MORE IMPORTANT thing to take home from the measurements on followup is that the VOLUME of the tumor is REDUCED. So, after any type of treatment such as radiation, chemotherapy, or surgical resection while all measurements are not necessarily reduced and some (as in this case) could increase....if the VOLUME of the resultant tumor is smaller than before then, no matter what the dimensions....we consider that an IMPROVEMENT in tumor size.

5. Please realize that in this forum physicians are asked to respond to questions/comments within a 24 hr. time frame from when the patient publishes their initial query or provides a response/comment that requires physician input. Sometimes patients believe that doctors are "on call" or in some way virtually available throughout the course of asking and responding to questions.

Congratulations for shrinking that tumor down.keep it going would be the hope. Didn't know if you also realized that you can UPLOAD a scanned PDF copy of the pathology or imaging report calling out the dimensions which can be helpful when interpreting the information.
Thanks.

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Brief Answer:
Terrific news and all the Best going Forward

Detailed Answer:
Hi,


I went back and reread the previous questions and answers and have nothing further to add based upon your question. Would you consider doing a big favor by closing out the query if you've no further questions.

Thanks.

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