Nervous

Krissy59
Krissy59 Member Posts: 33
in Anal Cancer #1

I had stage 3b and was treated with the standard protocol almost 2 years ago. My last CT scan was 5 weeks ago and everything looked good. I just found an enlarged lymph node just above my collar bone on the left side. I have no other signs or symptoms of any illness or infection. The node is only about the size of a pea and is tender. I know tenderness is a good sign but I can't help but being nervous. I called my oncologist office and was told this area is not usually a concern with my kind of cancer but if it is still there in 2 weeks, I am supposed to call them back.

Have any of you experienced this before?

 

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Krissy

    I have not experienced anything like this myself, but I know some people have.  Perhaps this lymph node is swollen because it has been put to the task of fighting off some minor infection that you are not even aware of.  In other words, it's doing it's job.  I think it's probably wise to wait and see for the next 2 weeks before going into panic mode.  Chances are it will be gone by then.  Stay positive and don't go there unless and until you have to.  Take care and keep us posted.

    Martha

  • Jb711
    Jb711 Member Posts: 6
    #3
    The wait

    hi Krissy,

    i was diagnosed July 2010. After getting the results I was in treatment in less than a week.  I found swollen lymph nodes December 2013.  It was probably the worse three weeks till results were in.  I don't know if anything anyone said or did during that time could have helped.  It could be your body fighting an earlier infection Or a number of other things. I went through chest X-ray, CT scan, needle biopsy of lymph node then incisional biopsy. Both sides of my neck had swollen glands.  I hope you get results earlier and with a better diagnosis.

     

    Jan

  • Krissy59
    Krissy59 Member Posts: 33
    #4
    mp327 said:

    Krissy

    I have not experienced anything like this myself, but I know some people have.  Perhaps this lymph node is swollen because it has been put to the task of fighting off some minor infection that you are not even aware of.  In other words, it's doing it's job.  I think it's probably wise to wait and see for the next 2 weeks before going into panic mode.  Chances are it will be gone by then.  Stay positive and don't go there unless and until you have to.  Take care and keep us posted.

    Martha

    Thank you Martha

    Thank you for your encouraging words. I am trying real hard not to be worried or concerned. Hopefully it will be gone soon and i can stop thinking about it.

  • Krissy59
    Krissy59 Member Posts: 33
    #5
    Jb711 said:

    The wait

    hi Krissy,

    i was diagnosed July 2010. After getting the results I was in treatment in less than a week.  I found swollen lymph nodes December 2013.  It was probably the worse three weeks till results were in.  I don't know if anything anyone said or did during that time could have helped.  It could be your body fighting an earlier infection Or a number of other things. I went through chest X-ray, CT scan, needle biopsy of lymph node then incisional biopsy. Both sides of my neck had swollen glands.  I hope you get results earlier and with a better diagnosis.

     

    Jan

    Hi Jan,
     
    What stage were you

    Hi Jan,

     

    What stage were you at diagnosis in 2010? After initial treatment did you ever get to the point of NED? Were the nodes in your neck tender at all? Where do you have metastasis? Sorry for all the questions. I am really trying not to worry but I read that enlarged supraclavicular nodes are usually an ominious sign. I had a recent scan that was normal, so I am hoping this is just some infection or bacteria that my body is fighting off. 

     

    Thanks,

    Krissy

  • Jb711
    Jb711 Member Posts: 6
    #6
    Krissy59 said:

    Hi Jan,
     
    What stage were you

    Hi Jan,

     

    What stage were you at diagnosis in 2010? After initial treatment did you ever get to the point of NED? Were the nodes in your neck tender at all? Where do you have metastasis? Sorry for all the questions. I am really trying not to worry but I read that enlarged supraclavicular nodes are usually an ominious sign. I had a recent scan that was normal, so I am hoping this is just some infection or bacteria that my body is fighting off. 

     

    Thanks,

    Krissy

    Krissy

    hey Krissy,

    i was staged at IIIA whwn first diagnosed. I received two rounds of cisplatin and 5FU And 28 rounds of radiation.  I was Ned at the end of treatment,When I first noticed my swollen lymph nodes they were not painful but after a few months they did start to hurt.  I have tumors in my lung and lymph nodes in chest are swollen.  I have chest pain on and off and think that is from the swolien lymph nodes. 

    Negative scan  sounds positive. sounds like you've done what you needed to and kept on top of it.  Hoping rest of the tests are positive too.

     

    jan

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