Lymph node biopsy and recurrence

SandyD
SandyD Member Posts: 130
in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1

At my 3-month checkup I told my oncologist about a lymph node in my groin that felt swollen. He examined it and told me I need to have it biopsied. The biopsy will be done in 2 weeks (3/17).

Has anyone had a similar experience? I'm just trying to steel myself for what's coming. Any possibility this can be lymphedema from hysterectomy? I'm stage 1A (papillary serous and carcinosarcoma/MMMT), had hysterectomy in Nov 2015, finished all treatment (chemo and brachytherapy) and NED in May 2016.

Comments

  • TeddyandBears_Mom
    TeddyandBears_Mom Member Posts: 1,814 Member
    #2
    Sandy, I haven't had that

    Sandy, I haven't had that experience but I wanted to say that I'm hopeful for you that this isn't a recurrence.

    Please let us know when you find out.

    Love and Hugs,

    Cindi

  • derMaus
    derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
    #3
    If they took lymph nodes

    If they took lymph nodes during your hysterectomy - and I'm assuming they did - then lymphadema is always a possibility. Good that your doc is being cautious and doing a biopsy; once you monkey around with the draining systems things tend to get a little wonky so it's best to pay careful attention. Good for you that you noticed this, and please keep us posted what you find out. Best wishes, B 

  • SandyD
    SandyD Member Posts: 130
    #4
    derMaus said:

    If they took lymph nodes

    If they took lymph nodes during your hysterectomy - and I'm assuming they did - then lymphadema is always a possibility. Good that your doc is being cautious and doing a biopsy; once you monkey around with the draining systems things tend to get a little wonky so it's best to pay careful attention. Good for you that you noticed this, and please keep us posted what you find out. Best wishes, B 

    Lymph nodes

    They took 9 lymph nodes. Oncologist said biopsy would be more definitive than getting a CAT or PET scan. I do worry a bit about possibility of biopsy spreading any cancer cells. I imagine it's pretty unlikely.

  • cindy0519
    cindy0519 Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2017 #5
    Thinking of you

    I too may be headed in this same direction.   I just wanted to say...I'm thinking of you and hoping you find it is just lympadema.

  • SandyD
    SandyD Member Posts: 130
    #6
    cindy0519 said:

    Thinking of you

    I too may be headed in this same direction.   I just wanted to say...I'm thinking of you and hoping you find it is just lympadema.

    Thanks so much Cindy!

    Thinking of you too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and I and all of us who found our way to this board.

  • cindy0519
    cindy0519 Member Posts: 173
    #7
    SandyD said:

    Thanks so much Cindy!

    Thinking of you too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and I and all of us who found our way to this board.

    Sandy - I too am looking at

    Sandy - I too am looking at biopsy....either this week or early next hopefully.   Has your onco mentioned possible treatment if this is a recurrence?  I haven't talked to mine about potential treatment yet and am curious if you have.  

  • SandyD
    SandyD Member Posts: 130
    edited March 2017 #8
    cindy0519 said:

    Sandy - I too am looking at

    Sandy - I too am looking at biopsy....either this week or early next hopefully.   Has your onco mentioned possible treatment if this is a recurrence?  I haven't talked to mine about potential treatment yet and am curious if you have.  

    No he hasn't

    Just told me I needed a biopsy and we did not discuss further. At this point I am definitely researching the options. If it does turn out to be a recurrence (and I still have my fingers crossed it isn't) I'll be seeking 2nd and 3rd opinions at major cancer centers about treatment. The center I go to is the largest in my state (Maine) but not top-ranked. 

  • DrienneB
    DrienneB Member Posts: 182
    #9
    swollen inguinal nodes

    Hi Sandy,

    I had 2 lymph nodes in my groin were enlarged and hard, a few months after surgery. My surgeon and her assistant started checking them by touch, but no one was very conerned about them, and the swelling of those nodes has gone down, though they are still easy to feel.

    I have had lots of CT scans in the past 4 years -- probably more than I should have---and those nodes never come up as an issue. They were not biopsied.

    My stage is IIIB/Grade 3 (carcinosarcoma).

    -j

  • SandyD
    SandyD Member Posts: 130
    edited March 2017 #10
    DrienneB said:

    swollen inguinal nodes

    Hi Sandy,

    I had 2 lymph nodes in my groin were enlarged and hard, a few months after surgery. My surgeon and her assistant started checking them by touch, but no one was very conerned about them, and the swelling of those nodes has gone down, though they are still easy to feel.

    I have had lots of CT scans in the past 4 years -- probably more than I should have---and those nodes never come up as an issue. They were not biopsied.

    My stage is IIIB/Grade 3 (carcinosarcoma).

    -j

    Interesting!

    Also hopeful! Not sure why he said a biopsy is needed. Did say biopsy would be more definitive than scan.

     

  • derMaus
    derMaus Member Posts: 558 Member
    edited March 2017 #11
    SandyD said:

    Interesting!

    Also hopeful! Not sure why he said a biopsy is needed. Did say biopsy would be more definitive than scan.

     

    Keep Us Posted

    Please keep us posted. This waiting crap is nerve wracking, but remember that we're all with you. 

  • SandyD
    SandyD Member Posts: 130
    #12
    derMaus said:

    Keep Us Posted

    Please keep us posted. This waiting crap is nerve wracking, but remember that we're all with you. 

    Thanks

    The waiting really is one of the crappiest parts of this whole thing.

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