lymphoma worries

timb16

i had some calf pain left leg back in august some tightness went to doctor they gave me some pain killers also have over the years some lower left back pain that would flair up, pain went away after a week then noticed a bump/lump on back side of my left knee about 4 months ago, also had leg pain with it calf area really hurt bad, also there was some numbness in my left foot, having some lower left back pain sometimes i thought it was related to the lower back problem, thinking it was all related to lower back problem, just took my pain medicine. Then on december 20th i had a bulge in my left groin area. I went and saw a doctor on jan 6. he thought i had hernia, then sent me to surgeon,,the surgeon said those are lymp nodes, we did a ct scan a week later pelvic and abdomin, and the results were enlarged lymp nodes largest being 2.5cm , the rest of the scan showed no problems no infection in abdomin or anything alarming. the surgeon check left knee area and said those are swollen lymp nodes too. he says he thinks its lymphoma until he can prove otherwise.  I have a biospy on thurdsay. my leg is swelling more and i starting to walk with a limp all on the left leg side.  I have no symtoms  of lymphoma or cancer other than the enlarged nodes. Does anybody here have heard of leg problems like this? getting scared now.

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Systematic

Certainly your first step is confirming or ruling out lymphoma, which only a biopsy can do.  Your doc is correct in getting one for you as rapidly as possible.  

Lack of "symptoms" is no argument for or against lymphoma, but the mass of enlarged nodes is itself a strong indication for the disease.  I never had ANY symptom of lymphoma, and never even felt an enlarged node --ever.  Six years later, I still have never felt an enlarged node. My disease was discovered following severe chest pain, which was discovered to be nodes ppressing against the wall of the heart.

I was diagnosed as late Stage III HL, very advanced, with huge nodes all over my chest cavity and abdomen, both sides, from the lower neck to the pelvic area. And no nodes were ever seen or felt at the surface, then or since.  The only symptom I had was severe fatigue, barely able to function due to tiredness, which no amount of sleep could address.  Some classic symptoms, such as itching and sweating heavily at night are what are termed "B-Symptoms," which are usually considered an indication of more aggressive disease. It is good that you are not having these. I am lymphoma free for five years now.

The good news is that lymphoma, even late Stage IV, is among the most treatable and even curable of all forms of cancer. There are over 30 "strains" of lymphoma, but the vast majority of these are readily brought under control, almost always by chemotherapy.

Your biopsy, if you have lymphoma, will state what strain of lymphoma you have, and an oncologist will take over at that point.

I hope the biopsy is negative, but if it comes back positive, know that nearly always, the disease is beatable today. Wishing you good news,

 

max

Folks24

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Systematic

Certainly your first step is confirming or ruling out lymphoma, which only a biopsy can do.  Your doc is correct in getting one for you as rapidly as possible.  

Lack of "symptoms" is no argument for or against lymphoma, but the mass of enlarged nodes is itself a strong indication for the disease.  I never had ANY symptom of lymphoma, and never even felt an enlarged node --ever.  Six years later, I still have never felt an enlarged node. My disease was discovered following severe chest pain, which was discovered to be nodes ppressing against the wall of the heart.

I was diagnosed as late Stage III HL, very advanced, with huge nodes all over my chest cavity and abdomen, both sides, from the lower neck to the pelvic area. And no nodes were ever seen or felt at the surface, then or since.  The only symptom I had was severe fatigue, barely able to function due to tiredness, which no amount of sleep could address.  Some classic symptoms, such as itching and sweating heavily at night are what are termed "B-Symptoms," which are usually considered an indication of more aggressive disease. It is good that you are not having these. I am lymphoma free for five years now.

The good news is that lymphoma, even late Stage IV, is among the most treatable and even curable of all forms of cancer. There are over 30 "strains" of lymphoma, but the vast majority of these are readily brought under control, almost always by chemotherapy.

Your biopsy, if you have lymphoma, will state what strain of lymphoma you have, and an oncologist will take over at that point.

I hope the biopsy is negative, but if it comes back positive, know that nearly always, the disease is beatable today. Wishing you good news,

 

max

Lymphoma

I can sympathize with you as I have had the royal run around with doctors too who poo-poohed stuff. You'll learn there are some drs that doctor out of a textbook. If it fits the textbook, they are Dr Wonder. BUT, if it doesn't fit the textbook they make excuses and put you off. THEN there are some doctors/specialists that will actually do the work to find out. You have to weed them out sometimes.

I had no symptoms either of lymphoma. Everyone is different. Boy do I hate hearing that!!!

Mine was found on a fluke CT scan, was a spot on liver and one in right lung. Yes, a biopsy will need to be done to confirm it. I have Sjogrens which is an autoimmune disease that gives you a bit higher chance to get lymphoma. I used to have numerous sinus infections, etc. A biopsy was done back in 2003 but was negative. Then in 2012, lymphoma is confirmed with a biopsy.

Depending on where the biopsy is, bring up about a pain med to have in case you need it. I remember on my liver biopsy I was ok the rest of the day but by the afternoon of the next day I was sobbing on the phone to my regular dr to give me some pain pills (or a big 5th HaHa). He siad I should not have been let out without being given pain pills, ordered some and I had to get a friend to pick em up. Not saying you will be sore, but just that I was. I am a bit of a planner (HaHa) when I can so I get my ducks in a row. I guess it makes me feel more controlled in an uncontrollable world.

Take a deep breath. You CAN get through this. It feels better to take some control in your own hands. Bring a list of questions to the dr - I always forget. Don't believe everything you read on the internet and what some un-medical people tell you. It can dirve you nuts! Be an advocate for yourself or find someone that you trust explicity that can be. I learned to be an advocate over time with all the medical stuff I got.

Good Luck on your tests.