Another lymphoma diagnosis

mossback99

Well the other day I got a biopsy result from a lump on my neck that indicates Large B-cell lymphoma, germinal center type. Don't know much else yet. Scheduling an appointment with an oncologist ASAP to hopefully learn more soon. Also have a full body scan scheduled for next week. Originally went to a ENT doc for the lump since it was on the neck. He suspected a H&N type cancer until the biopsy totally shifted the diagnosis. So now I'm doing some general research and reading up on what I can. Some scary stuff out there. Not sure I can or want to read much more. Easy for me to get really scared and depressed.

So now I'm just hoping it's an early stage and treatable.

Have looked at a number of threads here and it has already helped calm me a little.

Thanks to all who have shared so much information and taken the time to help others. I hope to contribute as I can.

My best wishes to all.

jleben71

Good Luck with your treatment

mossback99

Thank you.

PBL

Hello mossback99, and sorry to welcome you into the lymphoma community.

At this point, things are understandably blurry and scary, but hopefully this will get better as you learn more about your diagnosis and treatment. DLBCL is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and treatment options are well-known. Being one of the "aggressive" 'i.e. rapidly-growing) types, it is also curable, meaning that successful treatment could eradicate it permanently.

You mention making an appointment with an oncologist; knowing that you are dealing with one of the so-called "blood cancers", it might be wiser to find a doctor who truly specialises in these types of cancers, i.e. a hematologist.

If you are in the U.S., you may want to look one up at one of the NCI-designated Cancer Centers by following the link herebelow.

Do not hesitate to let us know how things are going and come back with any questions that may arise.

I hope this helps.

https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find

mossback99

Hello PBL,

Thank you for this info. I must admit I am very confused right now. Basically my first interaction with a doctor was to go to an ENT doc because my one and only obvious and apparent symptom is a lump on my neck. He scheduled a CT scan of my head and neck as well as a biopsy of the mass. The CT scan happened first and did show the mass as 'abnormal'. The biopsy results just came in the other day and that's when he said this is actually not a H&N cancer but lymphoma. He just put an urgent referral in for oncology but I have yet to speak with anyone from there yet. I just called them today actually to check the status and it's working through their care team apparently. I do have a full body PET scan scheduled for next week.

I live about twenty minutes north of Seattle, so I am near Fred Hutch and quite a few other bio tech and cancer/health related facilities. Had always hoped I would never need to utilize them myself….

Once I am in contact with the oncologist one of the first things I will ask about it finding a hematologist. I would not have known to ask about this otherwise, so thank you again- I am grateful.

PBL

You are very welcome. Of course, none of us ever dreamed of pushing the door to a cancer center, but you are lucky in your misfortune to have one of the best possible facilities at your disposal…

As I understand it, you will in all likelihood head to that first oncology appointment with your PET scan results and possibly complete bloodwork as well. Asking the ENT who handed you your diagnosis for a referral directly with a hematologist might enable you to speed things up towards the next step - which will be treatment.

Kind regards.

PBL

mossback99

Thank you again for your help and insights.

mossback99

Had my PET scan today and also had blood drawn for testing. The blood test results came back quickly, within six hours or so, and everything shows as normal and inside the green range. My LDH is 125. Can i infer anything from these blood test results?

PBL

Hello again mossback99,

It is difficult to comment on your blood tests, not knowing what was tested…

What can be said for the time being is that blood tests are useful in assessing your ability to withstand treatment, as kidney and liver function are important in eliminating chemotherapeutic agents.

LDH level within normal range is certainly encouraging as regards the extent of your disease.

Do let us know what the PET scan results are when you have seen your hematologist.

Kind regards,

PBL