Positive Lymph Nodes

We frequently talk about positive lymph nodes when we stage (determine the extent of spread) a cancer.

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The following FMTVDM (BEST) image, without the quantification of FMTVDM, shows you just how easy it is to 

see what you want to see, while missing the problem at the same time.

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In this set of images, the center view (anterior) suggests a problem on the right side. This would seem to be confirmed by the increased appearance of yellow in the right lateral (Rt. lat.) image to the far right. 

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The quantified result of the right breast tissue showed this was in fact cancer - see Dense Breasts & Breast Implants page.

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Meanwhile, the far left breast image labelled Lt. lat showing the side imaging of the left breast, also shows green on the inferior (lower) part of the left breast.

 

While the qualitative (what you think you see) image looks better than the right breast, the FMTVDM quantified numbers revealed breast cancer in the left breast as well AND above the left breast, you can see several hot (more uptake of the isotope with FMTVDM measurements showing cancer) lymph nodes.

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Visually you might think the cancer was in the right breast only with positive lymph nodes near the left breast.

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In reality, FMTVDM measurements showed cancer in both breasts, with the right breast cancer having a greater regional blood flow and metabolic activity than the left breast, yet the left breast has already metastasized into the lymph nodes.

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Quantitative measurements are more important than qualitative appearance. Here, the more aggressive cancer has not yet metastasized to the lymph nodes, while the smaller cancer in the left breast had already spread to the axillary lymph nodes.