mono and possible hodgkins cancer

poopsy
poopsy Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
I found out I had mono a year and a half a go. Since then my gland on the left side of my neck has not subsided. I've experienced weight and hair loss and also fatigue. The doctor thinks I have no reason to be concerned with having cancer. Does anyone know any info about mono and cancer or can anyone help me? I am only 23 and I am very scared as to what to do.

Comments

  • lhodnet
    lhodnet Member Posts: 62
    #2
    If your node hasn't gone down, I would talk to your health care professional about a biopsy - that is the only sure way to diagnose - OR rule out - any disease.

    I wish the best to you -

    Lisa
    Hodgkin's Survivor, 8/04
  • pickles123
    pickles123 Member Posts: 47
    #3
    Many people believe there is a link between Hodgkins and mono since mono weakens your immune system. I am 23 and I had Hodgkins so it can happen. I had a nose, ear, and throat specialist to diagnose mine. It took me a while though. Since Hodgkins is a rare cancer many people are hesitant to consider it. Keep going to doctors until someone at least does a needle biopsy. DONT WAIT! I hope it is nothing but if it is we are hear to help you get through it. Please let us know how it goes.

    Hugs, Pic
  • Ronnie10
    Ronnie10 Member Posts: 20
    #4
    Hey. There is a link between mono and Hodgkins. I am 22 years old, and a Hodgkins survivor. I really think you should get it checked out. I experienced weight loss before I got diagnosed. Also, I had hair loss and fatigue as symptoms, because it meant I was anemic. Being anemic is a huge sign something is not right. I am not telling you this to scare you, it could be nothing. It's just that IF it is something, it is so much better to get it early, because then you can be cured for life!

    Take care. Let us know if you have any questions and if you go to the doctor.
  • 6browns
    6browns Member Posts: 15
    #5
    Hi there!

    When we were at the oncologist today this very topic came up. The research fellow asked very specifically if my husband had ever had mono. He did (about 30 years ago!). The discussion continued with a possible link between Epstein-Barr (spelling?)which I think is the underlying virus in mono and is commonly linked to Hodgkins. In one of the tests my husband had completed there seemed to be evidence of the mono from years ago. Not sure this is all that helpful, and I hope I haven't confused or upset anyone. It's just our experience today and seemed timely to share.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Debbie Lou
    Debbie Lou Member Posts: 14
    #7
    In January of 92 I had I
    In January of 92 I had I lump on my neck and running a fever. Went to the doctor they said it was a infected lymph node gave me antibodics and it went away,then started getting very tired thought it was because of pregnancy. Then in December of 1992 I found a lump in my armpit,went to the doctor again and they told me it was breast tissue and not to worry. In September 1994 I decided I wanted the lump removed because it was ugly, when they removed it it was the size of a softball and I was diagnosis with stage 3b. Hodgkin's disease. My point is please don't let them pass it off demand a biopsy.
  • whatdoyousay
    whatdoyousay Member Posts: 15
    #8
    mono and possible hodgkins lymphoma
    Hi Poopsy, My sister was diagnosed with non-hodgkins, then hodgkins lymphoma in 2008 at 32. She was told her cancers are all Epstein Barr + upon biopsy. There is a promising study going on at Baylor, it Texas. They are figuring out a way to kill the nasty virus that is triggering her cancer. Hopefully the FDA will approve it soon. Seek professional help, until you get the answers you're confident in, don't wait a minute!! I will be donating my stem cells to her in December, and hopefully she will be able to get this new treatment for the EB virus. Good luck, and don't give up, find the best cancer facility near you and get a second opinion!!! Please, this is a curable disease.
  • donald51
    donald51 Member Posts: 62
    #9
    whatdoyousay said:

    mono and possible hodgkins lymphoma
    Hi Poopsy, My sister was diagnosed with non-hodgkins, then hodgkins lymphoma in 2008 at 32. She was told her cancers are all Epstein Barr + upon biopsy. There is a promising study going on at Baylor, it Texas. They are figuring out a way to kill the nasty virus that is triggering her cancer. Hopefully the FDA will approve it soon. Seek professional help, until you get the answers you're confident in, don't wait a minute!! I will be donating my stem cells to her in December, and hopefully she will be able to get this new treatment for the EB virus. Good luck, and don't give up, find the best cancer facility near you and get a second opinion!!! Please, this is a curable disease.

    mono and possible hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma
    I was dx in Jan '08 with stage 4 follicular nhl. After being put in remission with zevalin treatment in June '08 a firm had my blood drawn in late September for testing. The first results came back as positive for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).The following is a quote from the MD that sent me the results. "EBV is one of the most common human viruses. This is the virus that causes the illness, Mononucleosis. In the United States it is estimated that 95% of adults by the age of forty have had this infection. There are two types of EBV early antigen antibodies: "diffuse" and "restricted". High levels of thes antibodies have been associated with certain types of cancer, including Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and other cancers." I never had a case mono any time in my life, but I have or had EBV. Another part of the blood test results would be for PCB levels. I was told they got the results from Harvard but I haven't gotten a copy yet.
  • birdgray
    birdgray Member Posts: 8 Member
    #10
    donald51 said:

    mono and possible hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma
    I was dx in Jan '08 with stage 4 follicular nhl. After being put in remission with zevalin treatment in June '08 a firm had my blood drawn in late September for testing. The first results came back as positive for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).The following is a quote from the MD that sent me the results. "EBV is one of the most common human viruses. This is the virus that causes the illness, Mononucleosis. In the United States it is estimated that 95% of adults by the age of forty have had this infection. There are two types of EBV early antigen antibodies: "diffuse" and "restricted". High levels of thes antibodies have been associated with certain types of cancer, including Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and other cancers." I never had a case mono any time in my life, but I have or had EBV. Another part of the blood test results would be for PCB levels. I was told they got the results from Harvard but I haven't gotten a copy yet.

    It may be nothing, but please don't wait
    I wish I had all this information back in the 80's. I started getting tired and was always sick in high school. When I was Pregnant with my second son I itched all the time and was told it was hormons. I could eat what ever I wanted and never gain a pound. I was tired, itched, sick had a lump in my neck the size of a golf ball by time I was 23. One doctor told me "look out side, its the weather thats why you are sick all the time." I went in for a follow up one day and saw a very your PA, my back behind the shoulder blade was hurting so bad he did a chest x-ray. I stood in that little room waiting to get dressed for a long time. The tech's were so amazed with what they saw they forgot about me. I was soon to be told, YOU HAVE CANCER' I had 3A NS Hodgkings Lymphoma, I to had a positive (EBV) I never had mono as far as I know. The point is take charge and make the dr's listen to you. If you dont feel well have them to the biopsy. I hope we all have not scared you we are all just being honest.
    Keep up posted
    Bird
  • rgw5457
    rgw5457 Member Posts: 2
    #11
    donald51 said:

    mono and possible hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma
    I was dx in Jan '08 with stage 4 follicular nhl. After being put in remission with zevalin treatment in June '08 a firm had my blood drawn in late September for testing. The first results came back as positive for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).The following is a quote from the MD that sent me the results. "EBV is one of the most common human viruses. This is the virus that causes the illness, Mononucleosis. In the United States it is estimated that 95% of adults by the age of forty have had this infection. There are two types of EBV early antigen antibodies: "diffuse" and "restricted". High levels of thes antibodies have been associated with certain types of cancer, including Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and other cancers." I never had a case mono any time in my life, but I have or had EBV. Another part of the blood test results would be for PCB levels. I was told they got the results from Harvard but I haven't gotten a copy yet.

    MONO AND NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
    I also never had mono but have takeing a pcb blood test.which i also recieved the test result back showing that i have been expose to the EBV viruses.IM also waiting for the results of the level of pcb in my blood.
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #12
    whatdoyousay said:

    mono and possible hodgkins lymphoma
    Hi Poopsy, My sister was diagnosed with non-hodgkins, then hodgkins lymphoma in 2008 at 32. She was told her cancers are all Epstein Barr + upon biopsy. There is a promising study going on at Baylor, it Texas. They are figuring out a way to kill the nasty virus that is triggering her cancer. Hopefully the FDA will approve it soon. Seek professional help, until you get the answers you're confident in, don't wait a minute!! I will be donating my stem cells to her in December, and hopefully she will be able to get this new treatment for the EB virus. Good luck, and don't give up, find the best cancer facility near you and get a second opinion!!! Please, this is a curable disease.

    Mono, EBV virus and NHL
    Hi Whatdoyousay, I hope all is going well with your sister at this time. Please keep us informed.
    I too was diagnosed with EBV+ NHL. As far as I know I have never had mono. Mine is a very rare lymphoproliferative disorder caused by taking immuno suppressing drugs for Rhuematoid Arthritis. I have already had one recurrance, am currently in my fourth of six cycles of RCHOP and after 2 cycles am in a CR. Yeah, however I've been told my best bet for beating this disease would be to find away to convert my EBV+ to negative. Whatdoyousay, I'd really like to learn more about the Baylor study. Can you give us a web site address? Is this a clinical trial? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
  • yesyes2
    yesyes2 Member Posts: 591
    #13
    donald51 said:

    mono and possible hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma
    I was dx in Jan '08 with stage 4 follicular nhl. After being put in remission with zevalin treatment in June '08 a firm had my blood drawn in late September for testing. The first results came back as positive for Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).The following is a quote from the MD that sent me the results. "EBV is one of the most common human viruses. This is the virus that causes the illness, Mononucleosis. In the United States it is estimated that 95% of adults by the age of forty have had this infection. There are two types of EBV early antigen antibodies: "diffuse" and "restricted". High levels of thes antibodies have been associated with certain types of cancer, including Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and other cancers." I never had a case mono any time in my life, but I have or had EBV. Another part of the blood test results would be for PCB levels. I was told they got the results from Harvard but I haven't gotten a copy yet.

    Mono and NHL
    Hi Donald51, Can you tell me the reason for a PCB blood test? Is there a connection with blood cancers?
    Thanks,
    Leslie
  • donald51
    donald51 Member Posts: 62
    #14
    rgw5457 said:

    MONO AND NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
    I also never had mono but have takeing a pcb blood test.which i also recieved the test result back showing that i have been expose to the EBV viruses.IM also waiting for the results of the level of pcb in my blood.

    pcb levels
    I got my results back on the pcb levels. None of them were shown to be elevated, compared to the data. That is good newsbut leaves the question still unanswered. What could be the cause of my fnhl? Could it be the relation with EBV? Could it have something to do with my tonsils being removed. I don't know but I'll keep on with the search.
  • donald51
    donald51 Member Posts: 62
    #15
    yesyes2 said:

    Mono and NHL
    Hi Donald51, Can you tell me the reason for a PCB blood test? Is there a connection with blood cancers?
    Thanks,
    Leslie

    PCB blood test?
    Hi yesyes2,
    PCBs are a group of more than 200 different chlorinated chemical compounds, each of which is known as a PCB "congener". Because PCBs are present throughout the environmrnt, including in the food chain, almost everyone in the world has some detectable levels of PCBs in there blood, from diet and other environmrntal exposures. Being exposed to many types of chemicals throughout my life it was worth checking. Yes, there is a connection beteewn PCB levels in your blood and cancer(s). Elevated levels of PCB congeners have been associated with not only NHL but also with a variety of other health problems. These include cancers of the liver, skin, prostate and pancreas, as well as suppressed thyroid hormone levels, diabetes and suppression of the immune system. Hope this helps?
    Don

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