Scared to Tears

bamaroots · New User Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

Scared to tears ...I'm a 50-year-old healthy male that's waiting on the results on my PET scan after a CT scan showed enlarged lymph nodes in my back. My PCP told me not to panic as the PET scan can be used as a test to eliminate things as well as confirm. MY PCP also reminded of a 2.5 month viral illness in 2004 in which I had night sweats, but no fever, loss of appetite, swollen glands, or weight loss. He said that my lymph nodes could have become enlarged at that time
and never returned to normal size.

Let me back up a few weeks - I had pain in the center of my chest/right shoulder blade and heartburn/belching ... went to a GI surgeon and she ordered a gall bladder ultrasound. After the test, she phoned and said my gallbladder was fine. So onto the CT scan ... after the CT scan, the GI asked the radiologist to call me about the enlarged lymph nodes in my middle back.

He did and matter-of-factly suggested lyphoma to be the cause and told me not to worry as most people survive lymhomas. He also referredme to an oncologist whom I saw day before yesterday. The oncologist drew blood and my CBC was totally normal. He also stated that swollen lymph nodes in the back could be other things besides lyphoma and said that even if it was lyphoma, it was treatable. I have had none of the typical symptoms that go along with lymphoma, i.e. night sweats, fever, loss of weight, etc. The oncologist also stated that he did not think I had cancer, but wanted me to continue with the PET scan as well. The oncologist also set me up with a GI who is going to do an endoscopy Tuesday. I met with the GI who also said that based on my CBC, he would not suspect cancer.

I really need some encouragement here and have some questions ...

1) How often does one get lyphoma displaying no symptoms at all ?
2) If it turns out to be lyphoma, can it be treated and how ?
3) Will be life be normal during and after the treatments ?
4) Are benign tumors possible in lymph nodes ?
5) I have continued to belch - could a swollen lymph node be causing that ?

Any support appreciated and your stories welcome !!

Scared to Tears

brainman · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:00 am Post subject: Re: Scared to Tears

Hi bammaroots, I am so very sorry about your current health concerns. It is not quite time to panic yet... and that time may never come even if it is a lymphoma. You and your medical team are doing the right things to determine why your lymph node is swollen. Is it just one or several?

I am not an expert on lymphomas but I will try to answer your questions knowing that others will correct me if I am not totally correct or leave out something that is important.

Q1. How often does one get lymphoma displaying no symptoms at all?
A1. You are having symptoms... the pain in your chest. However, you do not have the other major symptoms. I do not know what the percentage of people have swollen lymph nodes that turn out to be lymphomas with no other signs. However, I have read several posts here from others in the same situation. I assume that in early stages it is possible.

Q2. If it turns out to be lymphoma, can it be treated and how ?
A2. Most definitely "YES, IT CAN BE TREATED". Furthermore, it can be treated with relatively good results. The specifics about the treatment depend on the specific type of lymphoma (Hodgkin's or Non-Hodgkin's). However, they are both treated with some form of chemotherapy. If it is only one lymph node, they might also try radiation but I do not know this for sure.

Q3. Will my life be normal during and after the treatments ?
A3. Again, what will happen very much depends on the type of lymphoma and the specific treatment you receive. Nevertheless, I can pretty much assure you that your life will never be "normal" again. None of us who have had or now have cancer have "normal" lives. Most of us live with the knowledge that it is just a matter of time until our cancer returns.

If you mean will you be able to work and enjoy your life, again, the answer is YES. In most cases, people with lymphomas are able to maintain a "normal" schedule of activities during and after treatment.

Q4. Are benign tumors possible in lymph nodes ?
A4. I do not know the answer to this question. I have never heard of a benign tumor in a lymph node... that is, I have never heard of a stage T0 tumor. If I were you, I would Google for that information or go to the NCI's website ( http://cancer.org ). You will have to read about both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas at this point since you do not have a diagnosis.

Q5. I have continued to belch - could a swollen lymph node be causing that ?
A5. My hunch is that your belching is coming from your overwhelming anxiety and not directly related to the swollen lymph node. But you should be sure you mention this to your medical team.

These are all great questions for you to ask your own medical team.

You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that I have been able to help a little and I suspect that other members of this community with reply as well.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Corvette · Regular Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 29 Location: North GA

[quote="brainman"]Q3. Will my life be normal during and after the treatments ?
A3. Again, what will happen very much depends on the type of lymphoma and the specific treatment you receive. Nevertheless, I can pretty much assure you that your life will never be "normal" again. None of us who have had or now have cancer have "normal" lives. Most of us live with the knowledge that it is just a matter of time until our cancer returns.

If you mean will you be able to work and enjoy your life, again, the answer is YES. In most cases, people with lymphomas are able to maintain a "normal" schedule of activities during and after treatment.

[/quote]

I'm 55 now. Got cancer when I was about 51. I have been cancer free for two years now and have a very normal life. I still work and feel perfectly normal but it did take a while to get back to normal.

I agree with Brainman's answers to all your questions.

Good luck to you and keep us posted.
_________________
Wayne
Male 56 years old
NHL Folicular Large Cell
Two years of Chemo followed by a SCT
Cancer free for almost two and a half years!

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