Swollen lymphnode in right groin, no diagnosis yet, biopsy done
I don't know how to do updates, so I just added to this one. Had my biopsy done on Thursday. Went well, but before I went in the operating room I showed the Dr another hard lump just below the ones he was going to take out and told him I have this same lump on both sides of my inner groin (left and right) and asked if it was supposed to be there like that, he said it was a lymphnode but shouldn't be hard like this and we decided to take this as well for testing. So the surgery went well, I was out 
. My recovery is starting to do better, I can walk a little better, but stlll pretty sore and can't put full weight on that leg so I'm taking another day off from work. I want to make sure this heals well, it was a 4in incision that runs just on the inside of my panty line, so I've invested in the guys boxer shorts to get me through the healing process . I have my follow-up on Weds and he said I should have the results by then. He said they did a quick "pre-lim" test on the lymphnodes and found no lymphoma, but reiterated there are further tests to be done. But wanted me to know that much right off, which is good.
So I will keep you all posted on the final results.
Thanks all!
Julz
Hi to everyone. I'm new at this site and found this by chance. I've been looking at the lymphoma symptoms on line and found this site. I do not have cancer, that I know of, but I have a swollen lymph node in my right groin, about the size of a quarter. It hurts, causes discomfort; especially if I am active or even inactive. It feels like it has it's own heartbeat at times and if i rub it sometimes I get a sensation down my leg. I get radiating pains in my left groin but don't feel a lump like my right side, it may just be what's supposed to be there I don't know. I've had a CT and MRI, my DR thought it was a fatty tissue because they don't see anything on them. I finally convinced my dr (this has been there for almost 2 years and has grown slightly in size) I think its a lymphnode. He said no way, maybe it's one of your fibroids and suggested I see my GYN. I saw my GYN and she immediately knew it was not my fibroids and that it was a lymphnode and sent me to a general surgeon to discuss. I saw the surgeon and he felt it, but didn't see anything on my MRI and said if it was lymphatic it would show up on the MRI. He thinks it could be from the 2 tattoos I have on my right leg because he's removed lymphnodes before that were full of tattoo ink. I told him I don't think that is why and also showed him an area on my right calf that had a cyst removed, but he wasn't concerned with that. Said he could take out my lymphnode and test it, but it would more than likely have to be drained continuously as nodes in the groin tend to continue to collect liquid and will need to be drained from time to time. I elected not to and he was happy as that is not a fun thing for anyone he said. I said I'd rather deal with my pain then come in time to time for a drainage. I'm still not convinced on what this is, no blood tests were even done. I've had boughts of fatigue, no night sweats and nausea occassionally. So i figured I'd put this out there for some advice. My doctor thinks I'm a nut, but I'm just being my own advocate.
I hope someone out there can give me some advice and I keep you all in my prayers! Thank you!
Comments
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Node
Julz,
First, I agree with Karl: there is only one way to definitively determine if a node is cancerous or not, and that is with a biopsy. I did not follow what the surgeon was sayng about a removed node "draining" after removal. If it is cut out, there is nothing to drain into. Sure, the surgical incision may drain some until the wound heals, but I have not heard of the void into which a node was cut out of "draining' before. My neighbor had a node the size of a baseball cut out of his, and never mentioned subsequent dainage issues. My biopsy node in my armpit was "the size of a golf ball," and drained until the incision healed, but there were no later issues. I also cannot understand a tumor the size of a quarter not showing up at all on a CT .
There are two types of biopsy: one in which the specimine is cut out, and one in which some of the fluid in the tumor is drawn out with a needle. The former (surgical removal) is much better for a pathologist to use, but either is certainly better than doing nothing.
It is amazing to me that doctors would do CTs and MRIs without first doing blood tests, since blood tests, while not cheap, cost only a small fraction of scans. From what you have described, probably the LEAST expensive thing you could have done is a full CBC and Metabolic Profile (blood tests run on a draw). Common markers for lymphoma are white blood count (WBC), Sedementation rate, LDH (Note: NOT "LDL", which is a cholesterol value; LDH has noting to do with cholesterol), and Albumin level. Lymphoma can mess up RBCs also, but that is less common.
You do not menition seening an oncologist. Be aware that general practice MDs, and even some non-cancer specialists often know relatively little about cancer, and it is often not one of the first things they think of when attempting to diagnose something.
We have had a LOT of folks here who had to fight to learn that they had lymphoma. On the other hand, we have had a goodly number of folks over the last year who seemed insistent on learning they had cancer when they never did. It is like the beer commercial: "Know when to say when." You are certainly no "nut" for your very reasonable concerns.
Night sweats and weight loss are part of what are called "B symptoms." Not all patients have them. I had advanced stage 3, and have never had a night sweat, and did not lose weight. I also never felt a node anywhere before or after diagnosis (even the one under my armpit was hard for my MD to find, despite its size). So, lymphoma, of which there is over 30 types, can be tricky to diagnose.
If it were me: I would have the blood labs and biopsy done, and then base my subsequent decisions on what those show. You will have to specify some of the labs I mentioned, since some (like the LDH) are not very routine.
Please do follow up here, if you find it helpful. Honored to meet you ...and thanks for the prayers you mentioned.
max
My motto: I'd rather have side-effects than have cancer
.
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Welcome..
Hi Julz,
Max said it all. I had one enlarged node in my groin and one smaller enlarged node on my neck that I could physically feel and see. Ct scan showed multiple swollen nodes in both sides of my groin and a large cluster in the back of my stomach. I had the largest groin node surgically removed and after the pathology was completed we had a firm diagnosis of Follicular Non Hodgkins Lmphoma. Follicular is the subtype...slow growth indolent, non curable. I then had a BMB(bone marrow biopsy) to finish out staging .Since the tumors were in the upper and lower body in 3 area's I was considered stage 3. If it had been found in my marrow or an organ, I would have been a stage 4. Either stage is treated the same, so to say stage 4 doesn't mean end of life, etc. I am type A meaning non symptomatic. No night sweats, weight loss, sick, etc. As a matter of fact I felt great and wouldn't have known I had anything wrong if the groin and neck nodes hadn't popped out. So, with that being said, don't ignore the swollen node. It may be nothing, but better to be safe than sorry. By the way...I have never had a problem where the groin node was removed. It healed great and all I have is a little scar. Let us know how things proceed, we are here to help.
Take care and best wishes...Sue
(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 63-in remission)
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Welcome Julz
Welcome to the site, Julz. I agree with the others/Max. If your doctor thinks you are a nut, find a better one
. Keep pressing for answers and please update us on what you discover. I did some minimal research on fibroids and found references to leg/calf pain in relation to uterine fibroids in women. I wish you luck and you are welcome here anytime and know you are not alone here.Hugs - Jim
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Welcomejimwins said:Welcome Julz
Welcome to the site, Julz. I agree with the others/Max. If your doctor thinks you are a nut, find a better one
. Keep pressing for answers and please update us on what you discover. I did some minimal research on fibroids and found references to leg/calf pain in relation to uterine fibroids in women. I wish you luck and you are welcome here anytime and know you are not alone here.Hugs - Jim
I too want to welcome you. Max is kind of our go to guy with medical ????. He does a lot of research and seems like kind of a brainiac
. So along with the others I think he is right on. In dealing with cancer (my husband), we have learned not to let things go. I hope the best for you and that you get some peace of mind.Becky
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Follow-upNode
Julz,
First, I agree with Karl: there is only one way to definitively determine if a node is cancerous or not, and that is with a biopsy. I did not follow what the surgeon was sayng about a removed node "draining" after removal. If it is cut out, there is nothing to drain into. Sure, the surgical incision may drain some until the wound heals, but I have not heard of the void into which a node was cut out of "draining' before. My neighbor had a node the size of a baseball cut out of his, and never mentioned subsequent dainage issues. My biopsy node in my armpit was "the size of a golf ball," and drained until the incision healed, but there were no later issues. I also cannot understand a tumor the size of a quarter not showing up at all on a CT .
There are two types of biopsy: one in which the specimine is cut out, and one in which some of the fluid in the tumor is drawn out with a needle. The former (surgical removal) is much better for a pathologist to use, but either is certainly better than doing nothing.
It is amazing to me that doctors would do CTs and MRIs without first doing blood tests, since blood tests, while not cheap, cost only a small fraction of scans. From what you have described, probably the LEAST expensive thing you could have done is a full CBC and Metabolic Profile (blood tests run on a draw). Common markers for lymphoma are white blood count (WBC), Sedementation rate, LDH (Note: NOT "LDL", which is a cholesterol value; LDH has noting to do with cholesterol), and Albumin level. Lymphoma can mess up RBCs also, but that is less common.
You do not menition seening an oncologist. Be aware that general practice MDs, and even some non-cancer specialists often know relatively little about cancer, and it is often not one of the first things they think of when attempting to diagnose something.
We have had a LOT of folks here who had to fight to learn that they had lymphoma. On the other hand, we have had a goodly number of folks over the last year who seemed insistent on learning they had cancer when they never did. It is like the beer commercial: "Know when to say when." You are certainly no "nut" for your very reasonable concerns.
Night sweats and weight loss are part of what are called "B symptoms." Not all patients have them. I had advanced stage 3, and have never had a night sweat, and did not lose weight. I also never felt a node anywhere before or after diagnosis (even the one under my armpit was hard for my MD to find, despite its size). So, lymphoma, of which there is over 30 types, can be tricky to diagnose.
If it were me: I would have the blood labs and biopsy done, and then base my subsequent decisions on what those show. You will have to specify some of the labs I mentioned, since some (like the LDH) are not very routine.
Please do follow up here, if you find it helpful. Honored to meet you ...and thanks for the prayers you mentioned.
max
My motto: I'd rather have side-effects than have cancer
.
Max and everyone,
Thank you for your advice!!! I will surely take it all and use it and keep you all posted. So glad I found this site! It may take a little time, but I will keep you all posted when I have some more news. Thanks again for all the great information and caring words! My prayers continue for you all! Talk to you all soon!
Julz
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Sorry, another questionNode
Julz,
First, I agree with Karl: there is only one way to definitively determine if a node is cancerous or not, and that is with a biopsy. I did not follow what the surgeon was sayng about a removed node "draining" after removal. If it is cut out, there is nothing to drain into. Sure, the surgical incision may drain some until the wound heals, but I have not heard of the void into which a node was cut out of "draining' before. My neighbor had a node the size of a baseball cut out of his, and never mentioned subsequent dainage issues. My biopsy node in my armpit was "the size of a golf ball," and drained until the incision healed, but there were no later issues. I also cannot understand a tumor the size of a quarter not showing up at all on a CT .
There are two types of biopsy: one in which the specimine is cut out, and one in which some of the fluid in the tumor is drawn out with a needle. The former (surgical removal) is much better for a pathologist to use, but either is certainly better than doing nothing.
It is amazing to me that doctors would do CTs and MRIs without first doing blood tests, since blood tests, while not cheap, cost only a small fraction of scans. From what you have described, probably the LEAST expensive thing you could have done is a full CBC and Metabolic Profile (blood tests run on a draw). Common markers for lymphoma are white blood count (WBC), Sedementation rate, LDH (Note: NOT "LDL", which is a cholesterol value; LDH has noting to do with cholesterol), and Albumin level. Lymphoma can mess up RBCs also, but that is less common.
You do not menition seening an oncologist. Be aware that general practice MDs, and even some non-cancer specialists often know relatively little about cancer, and it is often not one of the first things they think of when attempting to diagnose something.
We have had a LOT of folks here who had to fight to learn that they had lymphoma. On the other hand, we have had a goodly number of folks over the last year who seemed insistent on learning they had cancer when they never did. It is like the beer commercial: "Know when to say when." You are certainly no "nut" for your very reasonable concerns.
Night sweats and weight loss are part of what are called "B symptoms." Not all patients have them. I had advanced stage 3, and have never had a night sweat, and did not lose weight. I also never felt a node anywhere before or after diagnosis (even the one under my armpit was hard for my MD to find, despite its size). So, lymphoma, of which there is over 30 types, can be tricky to diagnose.
If it were me: I would have the blood labs and biopsy done, and then base my subsequent decisions on what those show. You will have to specify some of the labs I mentioned, since some (like the LDH) are not very routine.
Please do follow up here, if you find it helpful. Honored to meet you ...and thanks for the prayers you mentioned.
max
My motto: I'd rather have side-effects than have cancer
.
Max,
So should I see a oncologist or go back to the general surgeon I spoke to about the removal of the node? Can I see an oncologist if I have not been diagnosed? I will start with the blood tests, but not sure if I should see the same person regarding my node removal? Yes, he had stated when groin nodes are removed they continously need to be drained every several weeks, which was my big turn off. Didn't make sense, but then it did, I'm not a doctor so I took his word. Your motto is correct though and I will work towards figuring this out, thanks to you and all responding to my comments.
Thanks again!
Julz
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thank you!allmost60 said:Welcome..
Hi Julz,
Max said it all. I had one enlarged node in my groin and one smaller enlarged node on my neck that I could physically feel and see. Ct scan showed multiple swollen nodes in both sides of my groin and a large cluster in the back of my stomach. I had the largest groin node surgically removed and after the pathology was completed we had a firm diagnosis of Follicular Non Hodgkins Lmphoma. Follicular is the subtype...slow growth indolent, non curable. I then had a BMB(bone marrow biopsy) to finish out staging .Since the tumors were in the upper and lower body in 3 area's I was considered stage 3. If it had been found in my marrow or an organ, I would have been a stage 4. Either stage is treated the same, so to say stage 4 doesn't mean end of life, etc. I am type A meaning non symptomatic. No night sweats, weight loss, sick, etc. As a matter of fact I felt great and wouldn't have known I had anything wrong if the groin and neck nodes hadn't popped out. So, with that being said, don't ignore the swollen node. It may be nothing, but better to be safe than sorry. By the way...I have never had a problem where the groin node was removed. It healed great and all I have is a little scar. Let us know how things proceed, we are here to help.
Take care and best wishes...Sue
(Follicular NHL-stg3-grd2-typA-Dx 6/10-age 63-in remission)
Sue,
Thank you for your sharing and I will pursue geting this looked at. I can't see it, but feel it. Sometimes it's painful, sometimes not, but it's definitely bothersome. More to follow and God Bless! I will keep you posted. Thanks again!
Julz
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Who to see...julz7 said:Sorry, another question
Max,
So should I see a oncologist or go back to the general surgeon I spoke to about the removal of the node? Can I see an oncologist if I have not been diagnosed? I will start with the blood tests, but not sure if I should see the same person regarding my node removal? Yes, he had stated when groin nodes are removed they continously need to be drained every several weeks, which was my big turn off. Didn't make sense, but then it did, I'm not a doctor so I took his word. Your motto is correct though and I will work towards figuring this out, thanks to you and all responding to my comments.
Thanks again!
Julz
Julz,
Sorry to not get back sooner, but I work all night from Friday through Monday.
You could go to an oncologist or the surgeon. Some oncologist do not require a referral, but some do. Some insurance policys will allow a person to go to a specialist on their own initiative, and some will not, so you will have to get the specifics on the doctor and the coverages you have in your policy. I guess the most routine path is to get a biopsy done by a surgeon confirming cancer before seeing an oncologist; that is how it worked out for me, but I had a CT in hand showing large nodes all over the place.
Whomever you see next, ask them how they think you should proceed, since they will have all of the results in front of them.
Good luck and do keep updating and please do not hesitate to ask questions,
max
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Who to See responseWho to see...
Julz,
Sorry to not get back sooner, but I work all night from Friday through Monday.
You could go to an oncologist or the surgeon. Some oncologist do not require a referral, but some do. Some insurance policys will allow a person to go to a specialist on their own initiative, and some will not, so you will have to get the specifics on the doctor and the coverages you have in your policy. I guess the most routine path is to get a biopsy done by a surgeon confirming cancer before seeing an oncologist; that is how it worked out for me, but I had a CT in hand showing large nodes all over the place.
Whomever you see next, ask them how they think you should proceed, since they will have all of the results in front of them.
Good luck and do keep updating and please do not hesitate to ask questions,
max
Max,
Thank you for your help! Especially with your schedule, I've been there, it can be tough, so thank you! I called to get a second opinion with an oncologist today so I could request the blood tests from him, figured it was like taking the middleman out by trying to see him (specialist in my opinion) while getting the bloodwork done too?? They need to evaluate my records before he will accept me she said, so they are requesting my records from my primary and the surgeon. The quarter size node has not been diagnosed as a tumor, just as an enlarged lymphnode. The surgeon could not see it on the MRI or CT and said he would only be able to see it if it was a lymphoma. But my confusion is then why is it enlarged and causing me pain? I know you can't answer that, it's just my concern. I have no known infection that would cause that, maybe that's why he thinks it's related to my tattoos. I don't believe that is it. I realize no one can answer my concern until I have a biopsy, which I will discuss with the doctor, but would like the blood work done first. Correct? My pain is obviously in the right groin, but there are times it radiates to the left groin. Just more to tell the dr when I get in. I will keep you posted. I will surely follow your advice and ask them how to proceed. Thank you for listening and providing feedback. Hope you are able to get some rest, I know working nights, it can be hard. Talk to you soon! Julz
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Bumpsjulz7 said:Who to See response
Max,
Thank you for your help! Especially with your schedule, I've been there, it can be tough, so thank you! I called to get a second opinion with an oncologist today so I could request the blood tests from him, figured it was like taking the middleman out by trying to see him (specialist in my opinion) while getting the bloodwork done too?? They need to evaluate my records before he will accept me she said, so they are requesting my records from my primary and the surgeon. The quarter size node has not been diagnosed as a tumor, just as an enlarged lymphnode. The surgeon could not see it on the MRI or CT and said he would only be able to see it if it was a lymphoma. But my confusion is then why is it enlarged and causing me pain? I know you can't answer that, it's just my concern. I have no known infection that would cause that, maybe that's why he thinks it's related to my tattoos. I don't believe that is it. I realize no one can answer my concern until I have a biopsy, which I will discuss with the doctor, but would like the blood work done first. Correct? My pain is obviously in the right groin, but there are times it radiates to the left groin. Just more to tell the dr when I get in. I will keep you posted. I will surely follow your advice and ask them how to proceed. Thank you for listening and providing feedback. Hope you are able to get some rest, I know working nights, it can be hard. Talk to you soon! Julz
I did not have enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area. But I do know that bumps can come and go "down there". It could even be an ingrown hair from shaving or waxing. I assume you have taken a mirror to inspect it? Could it be a boil (which can hurt like hell)? Perhaps hot compresses might "bring it to a head". Try loose fitting natural fiber clothing so it can get plenty of air. Tight jeans can only aggravate.
I don't mean to minimize your concern and fear. I just know that not every swollen lymph node is lymphoma. And I wonder why it is not showing in a CT scan.
I will continue to follow your progress and wish you all the best and a cancer free diagnosis.
Rocquie
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MAX, it feels like I am holding paper under my arm...illead said:Welcome
I too want to welcome you. Max is kind of our go to guy with medical ????. He does a lot of research and seems like kind of a brainiac
. So along with the others I think he is right on. In dealing with cancer (my husband), we have learned not to let things go. I hope the best for you and that you get some peace of mind.Becky
Max, reading your post it comes to me that I have issues at my surgery spot. In about 4 months after the surgery and until this moment I have the feeling that I am holding a newspaper under my armpit.
Got it checked and nothing found, but I can tell it’s a little bit larger under left armpit than the right side. The CT scan last December, and PET scan prior to that shows nothing. My GP DR says it could be drainage since no lymph node there to hold the drainage, but my oncologist will not comment on that. I just thought I share.
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SwollenBill_NC said:MAX, it feels like I am holding paper under my arm...
Max, reading your post it comes to me that I have issues at my surgery spot. In about 4 months after the surgery and until this moment I have the feeling that I am holding a newspaper under my armpit.
Got it checked and nothing found, but I can tell it’s a little bit larger under left armpit than the right side. The CT scan last December, and PET scan prior to that shows nothing. My GP DR says it could be drainage since no lymph node there to hold the drainage, but my oncologist will not comment on that. I just thought I share.
Bill,
My biopsy was from under my left armpit, but since I finished chemo BOTH armpits feel swollen most of the time. No pain, just a "puffy" sensation. My onc has checked them many times, and there is nothing there. Also, my CTs from shortly after ending treatment showed nothing. The same thing in my throat: often, I feel like some glands are choaking me, but he has checked them many times as well, and nothng.
Oddly enough, I never felt a node BEFORE starting chemo, ever, and never felt "swollen."
I just know that it is the "new normal" for me and mostly ignore it, which was the doctor's advice also. I ended treatment over 4 years ago, so mostly likely these sensations are not going to ever go away. Some after-effects make no sense, to the patient or the doctors.
I am very glad to hear that you are well.
max
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Thanks Rocquie forRocquie said:Bumps
I did not have enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area. But I do know that bumps can come and go "down there". It could even be an ingrown hair from shaving or waxing. I assume you have taken a mirror to inspect it? Could it be a boil (which can hurt like hell)? Perhaps hot compresses might "bring it to a head". Try loose fitting natural fiber clothing so it can get plenty of air. Tight jeans can only aggravate.
I don't mean to minimize your concern and fear. I just know that not every swollen lymph node is lymphoma. And I wonder why it is not showing in a CT scan.
I will continue to follow your progress and wish you all the best and a cancer free diagnosis.
Rocquie
Thanks Rocquie for responding. It's definitely not an ingrown hair, I've had this lump (now slightly larger) for over a year and a half with the run around. It's nothing I can see, only feel by touching and by the pain. I will keep you all posted as I continue to explore this.
Thank you!
Julz
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Thanks MAXSwollen
Bill,
My biopsy was from under my left armpit, but since I finished chemo BOTH armpits feel swollen most of the time. No pain, just a "puffy" sensation. My onc has checked them many times, and there is nothing there. Also, my CTs from shortly after ending treatment showed nothing. The same thing in my throat: often, I feel like some glands are choaking me, but he has checked them many times as well, and nothng.
Oddly enough, I never felt a node BEFORE starting chemo, ever, and never felt "swollen."
I just know that it is the "new normal" for me and mostly ignore it, which was the doctor's advice also. I ended treatment over 4 years ago, so mostly likely these sensations are not going to ever go away. Some after-effects make no sense, to the patient or the doctors.
I am very glad to hear that you are well.
max
Thanks MAX, I thought I am going crazy thinking I am having these feelings alone. You know Max that we have the same HL and same stage and same surgery location. Since you mentioned it I feel a little swollen in my throat glands as well, I also feel some muscle pain in neck sometimes. I guess we just have to live with these side effects and pretends they don't exist. Always thank GOD for everything.
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Hi BillBill_NC said:Thanks MAX
Thanks MAX, I thought I am going crazy thinking I am having these feelings alone. You know Max that we have the same HL and same stage and same surgery location. Since you mentioned it I feel a little swollen in my throat glands as well, I also feel some muscle pain in neck sometimes. I guess we just have to live with these side effects and pretends they don't exist. Always thank GOD for everything.
I had biopsy in the groin one year back. I some times feel some sensation in the operated area. Bill, max I have finished my ABVD and Radiations in sept 2013. my onco is following up with me every month with sonography report of Abdomen and pelvis. I had bulky disease in the abdomen region. Suresh
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Thanks Suresh for the update.sureshwani said:Hi Bill
I had biopsy in the groin one year back. I some times feel some sensation in the operated area. Bill, max I have finished my ABVD and Radiations in sept 2013. my onco is following up with me every month with sonography report of Abdomen and pelvis. I had bulky disease in the abdomen region. Suresh
Thanks Suresh for the update. Does that means that ABVD did not work for you ?
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BillBill_NC said:Thanks Suresh for the update.
Thanks Suresh for the update. Does that means that ABVD did not work for you ?
I had a bulky disease in the abdomen. i.e right iliac and right external illiac region. The ONC suggested me to radiate that region after 12 infusions of ABVD to make sure that it is cleared. I was in 2minds, to do it or not. But finally decided to go with the onco's opinion. suresh.
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Question on blood testsNode
Julz,
First, I agree with Karl: there is only one way to definitively determine if a node is cancerous or not, and that is with a biopsy. I did not follow what the surgeon was sayng about a removed node "draining" after removal. If it is cut out, there is nothing to drain into. Sure, the surgical incision may drain some until the wound heals, but I have not heard of the void into which a node was cut out of "draining' before. My neighbor had a node the size of a baseball cut out of his, and never mentioned subsequent dainage issues. My biopsy node in my armpit was "the size of a golf ball," and drained until the incision healed, but there were no later issues. I also cannot understand a tumor the size of a quarter not showing up at all on a CT .
There are two types of biopsy: one in which the specimine is cut out, and one in which some of the fluid in the tumor is drawn out with a needle. The former (surgical removal) is much better for a pathologist to use, but either is certainly better than doing nothing.
It is amazing to me that doctors would do CTs and MRIs without first doing blood tests, since blood tests, while not cheap, cost only a small fraction of scans. From what you have described, probably the LEAST expensive thing you could have done is a full CBC and Metabolic Profile (blood tests run on a draw). Common markers for lymphoma are white blood count (WBC), Sedementation rate, LDH (Note: NOT "LDL", which is a cholesterol value; LDH has noting to do with cholesterol), and Albumin level. Lymphoma can mess up RBCs also, but that is less common.
You do not menition seening an oncologist. Be aware that general practice MDs, and even some non-cancer specialists often know relatively little about cancer, and it is often not one of the first things they think of when attempting to diagnose something.
We have had a LOT of folks here who had to fight to learn that they had lymphoma. On the other hand, we have had a goodly number of folks over the last year who seemed insistent on learning they had cancer when they never did. It is like the beer commercial: "Know when to say when." You are certainly no "nut" for your very reasonable concerns.
Night sweats and weight loss are part of what are called "B symptoms." Not all patients have them. I had advanced stage 3, and have never had a night sweat, and did not lose weight. I also never felt a node anywhere before or after diagnosis (even the one under my armpit was hard for my MD to find, despite its size). So, lymphoma, of which there is over 30 types, can be tricky to diagnose.
If it were me: I would have the blood labs and biopsy done, and then base my subsequent decisions on what those show. You will have to specify some of the labs I mentioned, since some (like the LDH) are not very routine.
Please do follow up here, if you find it helpful. Honored to meet you ...and thanks for the prayers you mentioned.
max
My motto: I'd rather have side-effects than have cancer
.
Max,
It's been a bit, but I finally got the blood tests you mentioned above, not sure how to read them other than what I find online. I just got these via email from my online dr site. My LDH is 209, WBC is 7, RBC is 4, Albumin is 4.10 and ACE is 14.82. Not sure what abbreviation is the sedementation rate. Wanted to put it out to you as you've been very helpful. My DR said we will discuss the biopsy next, but wanted to do the blood tests first. I just received this and haven't had a chance to call my DR, so figured I'd ask you, in case you might know. I know you all said to get blood tests and biopsy to determine what's going on, that is what I intend to do, but the blood tests were first.
Thank you, hope you and everyone is doing well.
Julie
0 -
Bumping up...julz7 said:Question on blood tests
Max,
It's been a bit, but I finally got the blood tests you mentioned above, not sure how to read them other than what I find online. I just got these via email from my online dr site. My LDH is 209, WBC is 7, RBC is 4, Albumin is 4.10 and ACE is 14.82. Not sure what abbreviation is the sedementation rate. Wanted to put it out to you as you've been very helpful. My DR said we will discuss the biopsy next, but wanted to do the blood tests first. I just received this and haven't had a chance to call my DR, so figured I'd ask you, in case you might know. I know you all said to get blood tests and biopsy to determine what's going on, that is what I intend to do, but the blood tests were first.
Thank you, hope you and everyone is doing well.
Julie
Just bumping this up for Max to see...
0
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