Secondary Cancer?

bdmadison

 

Completed 6 cycles ABVD treatment (no rad) for the Lymphocyte rich version of CHL (stage III) about 8 weeks ago.  Just received the results of the follow-on CT & PET scans the other day; good news is that previous sites of cancer appear resolved however, what's new is now I seem to have some enlarged lymph nodes in my lungs and shortness of breath started about half way through treatment. I haven't been able to take a full breath without coughing and just walking 50/60 feet has been a challenge for the last couple of months. My Onoc said it could be from the treatment (pulmonary fibrosis), a lung nfection, or I might have a secondary lung cancer.  Been on Zithromax, prednisone, along with Spiriva & Albuterol inhaler for 1.5 wks so far with very little mprovement. Will decide if another PET/CT and biopsy is needed after another week.  How common is it to develop a lung cancer so soon after completing chemo? Or is this more likely to be fibrosis? Going through ABVD treatment was taxing enough. I'm not looking forward to more treatments!

 

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Can relate

  BD,

I had severe shortness of breath throughout most of my six months on abvd.

I also developed fibrosis after ending treatment.  Bleomycin causes lung toxicity in about 15% of all users, and fibrosis in about 2% of all users. It is not certain that the Bleo caused mine; my pulmonologist actually thinks severe reflux was the cause.

It seems virtually impossible that cancer could have emerged in your lungs that fast. But I would make them be aggressive in figuring  it out.

max

lindary

shortness of breath

When the Dr.s started my tests to see if the mass in my abdomen they also noticed a lot of fluid by my right lung. I had been having some trouble breathing but my primary felt it was related to my thyroid being off, again. Turned out I had pluerisy because of the lymphoma. The lymph system is what drains the fluid in the plueral sac. I will say that after the second Rchop the build up of fluid had gone down, a lot. 

I am hoping that whatever is causing the breathing issues is simpler than another cancer. 

 

GSP2

follow up

visit with your oncologist or your primary for starters.

Have you had any bloodwork, titers, tests for flu, legionella, other disorders ?

If you need a biopsy who will be doing it ? radiology ? chest surgeon ? pulmonologist ?