Dilated Thoracic Aorta?

Hi Ladies,
I'm new here and I'm just so scared I am hoping someone can tell me a little more about this thing.
On Tuesday this week I went to the hopital to have a PET/CT scan as a 3 month follow-up to my borderline ovarian cancer. I have a follow-up appointment with my oncologist on this coming Tuesday to discuss the results. However, I have been so anxious to hear if the cancer has recurred or what the scan showed that I called my oncologist yesterday to see if they could tell me anything before the long weekend. My oncologist's nurse looked it up for me and said that the scan showed I have another cyst on my remaining ovary, I have a spot on my lung, and I have a dilated thoracic aorta. She said the doctor would talk to me about it on Tuesday next week. I'm freaking out! Now I'm not even worried about the cancer stuff so much as the heart stuff. That is a total shock. What does dilated thoracic aorta mean? I sometimes have a rapid heartbeat, can't seem to ever get enough sleep, do have shortness of breath fairly often, take Lipitor for high cholesterol, and am a bit overweight so I am scared about what this could mean! I'm only 36.
If there is someone here who could tell it to me straight or at least shed a little light on this I would so appreciate it. I'm hoping it's a good sign that they didn't call me to come back to the hospital right away and don't seem concerned about waiting until Tuesday.

Thanks Ladies!
Heidi

By martzj
Posted May 22, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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Welcome Heidi,

What a FABULOUS doggy pix!! Great furry face!! : )

Sorry to hear you are dealing with so many challenges at once. My heart goes out to you. There are many women here your age and younger with heart issues. Try 'SCAD' in the search window. Much info there.

Every pound you can manage to 'release' (smile) helps the heart better manage the pressures of pumping blood throughout your body. Every point you can get that blood pressure lowered eases the strain on any weak spots in the arteries. The heart muscle itself has to tolerate the most profound pressures.

Please let us know what your doctor says.

I will be thinking of you. I know this is quite a shock on top of the ovarian situation.

Hugs to you along with my best wishes,
Jaynie

Here are the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute descriptions and treatment protocols.

http://www.csmc.edu/3866.html

Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Overview
Diseased aortic tissue is characterized by degeneration of the cells composing the aortic wall. This diseased tissue is weak, lacking sufficient elastic components to stretch and contract well. The first indication of this abnormality may be a localized enlargement in the area of weakness. When it reaches a certain size this enlarged area is referred to as an aneurysm.

Aortic tissue may also tear, even if the aorta is not enlarged. Tearing of the inner layer of the vessel wall allows blood to leak into the middle layer of the aorta, separating the inner and outer layers. This is called dissection.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms
The permanent enlargement of some portion of a blood vessel is often described as bulging, ballooning or dilated. The diameter of the enlargement will determine whether or not it is considered an aneurysm. Traditionally for the aorta, any permanently dilated section measuring 4.0 cm or greater in diameter has been called an aneurysm.

The definition of an aneurysm may also be based on comparison with the normal blood vessel size for an individual. When the permanent enlargement of some part of a blood vessel is at least 1.5 times greater than normal size, it may be termed an aneurysm. Applying this to the aorta, if an individual's normal aorta is 2.5 cm, then dilation of 3.75 cm or greater represents an aneurysm in that person. A variation of this defines an aneurysm when the enlarged aorta is at least twice its normal size.

Whether the aorta is called "dilated" or the word "aneurysm" is used, any enlargement of the aorta, regardless of its size, is an indication of aortic disease and requires treatment. Aortic enlargement, although perhaps not yet qualified for the term aneurysm, should be monitored, treated medically, and the lifestyle and diet of the patient addressed.

Identifying dilation of the aorta implies the ability to determine the aorta's normal size for an individual. It is understood that the aorta's size will vary across any given population based on age, gender and body size. Broad ranges of aortic diameters sometimes listed as the normal size of the aorta necessarily span a large variation of body sizes in the population and may be misleading regarding a given individual. It is important that every effort is made to determine the normal aortic diameter for each individual in order to detect the early stages of aortic expansion due to underlying aortic disease. Generally, in the majority of patients that part of the aorta that is not enlarged may be used as an indicator of what is normal for that individual"

By martzj
Posted May 22, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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"I'm hoping it's a good sign that they didn't call me to come back to the hospital right away and don't seem concerned about waiting until Tuesday"

It very well may be Heidi. And it is certainly a very good thing this issue was caught early.....So many women are not that lucky!! That scan may have saved your life.

Hang in there,
Many hugs.....Jaynie

By MMaslek
Posted May 23, 2009 at 7:22 am
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Welcome to the site that no one "Wants" to belong to!! You must feel terrified right now with everything going on. Jaynie is awesome at finding out info beyond opinions so that helps a bunch. The rest of us are pretty good listeners if you need an ear. Unfortunately, as many of us were surprised to find out, heart problems can start early in life. Thank Goodness they caught yours before it became an emergency situation. The spot on your lung may be a shadow on the image. I've heard of that happening before. Ovarian cancer just sucks. Even if its borderline. Had they done a PET scan before they diagnosed the ovarian cancer as well? Early detection with all these issues is a huge plus. I'll be thinks of you & sending you good thoughts & warm wishes!!!!

Amy

By royaltudor
Posted May 23, 2009 at 12:06 pm
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Thanks Amy! I appreciate your post. I'm trying to think about other things this Memorial Day weekend, like having fun with my family, but I am so worried. I'm trying not to jump to conclusions until I see my doctor. But she's my ovarian cancer doctor, what will she be able to tell me about the heart and lung thing? I fear it will be more waiting and long weekends before I know anything. I guess that's the name of this game for everyone.

And your pup is adorable too! Mine is a Keeshond/American Eskimo. We just got her at the Humane Society in September. She's been like therapy for me! So much fun.

Welcome to Inspire!

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