Enlarged lymph nodes 2 1/2 years after RCC

Lynn_65
Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member
edited December 2022 in Kidney Cancer #1

I was in the ER Saturday for what had been diagnosed as cellulitis 2 weeks earlier. I had many tests including a chest X-ray followed by a CT scan that showed bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. It was suggested I follow up with my oncologist on Monday. He has suggested a PET scan.

I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. My RCC was small, 20% of my left kidney removed, with good pathology report, clear margins, Fuhrman grade 2, pT1apNX, greatest dimension 2.6 cm, no sarcomatoid or rhabdoid differentiation.

My oncologist is very cautious and I have a ct scan every 6 months. This was not present on last one in June. I am of course very anxious. The wait for a PET scan is several weeks, unless there is a cancellation.

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Comments

  • AliceB1950
    AliceB1950 Member Posts: 237 Member

    I have an enlarged node that's led to two PET scans and a biopsy in the four years since my surgery. It's always shown benign results. Mine is on the side where I had a full nephrectomy. Bilateral swelling sounds more like an infection of some sort, but that's just my instinctual guess. Good luck.

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    Thank you for your encouraging response! I will keep updating. Waiting for the PET scan is hard.

  • Mmoses25
    Mmoses25 Member Posts: 319 Member

    I had a enlarge one and they thought it was from Covid vaccine what ever it was it went away just my thoughts

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    Thanks you for your encouraging comment. 😊 Happy it went away and praying mine is either gone or nothing by the PET scan on October 5. Of course every new finding makes me anxious.

  • medic1971
    medic1971 Member Posts: 225 Member

    Just my own personal thoughts, this could be related to the cellulitis and not RCC. I would talk to your PCP about this as well.

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    That is certainly a possibility and I’m praying that it’s absolutely nothing. Thank you for your encouragement!

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    Update: PET scan was Wednesday and received results Thursday.

    The radiologist’s impression reads “interval development of extensive hyper metabolic and pathologically enlarged hilar/mediastinal adenopathy. In addition there is a right upper lobe nodule measuring 1cm in size. This could be due to primary lung neoplasm, inflammatory process such as sarcoidosis, lymphoma, or metastatic disease. Consider mediastinal node sampling.”

    So my oncologist has referred me to a pulmonologist to have a biopsy by EBUS. Meet with him Monday for consultation.

    Still unsure of what all this means, but at least my appointment with pulmonologist is soon.

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 614 Member

    Hi Lynn praying they can get a good sample so you can move forward with clear information. 🙏 for you.

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    Thank you so much, prayer is powerful and so appreciated!

  • medic1971
    medic1971 Member Posts: 225 Member

    Was thinking about you yesterday. I hope you got some answerers and not more questions.

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    Appreciate it more than you know. Unfortunately I’m more concerned than ever. Without my even asking, he gave me a preliminary diagnosis of sarcoid (inflammatory disease) or small cell lung cancer, due to the fact my lymph nodes were not like this on my June scan.

    I will have the biopsy Thursday and results most likely Monday. They will have pathology on the phone and will know right then if they have good samples. I’m still praying for the best news possible, for something that is treatable, curable, or at least I can go in remission. I have a grandson who will be 4 next month and I’d like to be around for awhile longer. My husband suffers from depression and I am anxious for him as well. Trying to stay in prayer and think positive. If it has to be cancer again, I want to be able to fight! I need hope!

    He doesn’t believe the RCC has metastasized because the one (1cm) nodule is in the upper right lobe, and RCC usually affects the lower. I guess that is positive news.

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,060 Member

    Hello,

    keeping fingers crossed for you!

    Hard to believe that lung cancer can pop up and grow to 1 cm in 6 months, and affect lymphnodes so quickly. Sounds more like sarcoidosis. My colleague has ir, lives a happy life without any health related issues.

    Good luck and keep us updated. This is crazy time, but results will be here soon and you will fight it no matter what it is

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    Thank you for your positive words! They help more than you know.

    The biopsy went well yesterday, he told my husband he got good samples. That he hadn’t heard any bad news from pathology, so take the good news with patience and caution.

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,060 Member

    Hello! Any news on biopsy results?

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member
    edited October 2022 #16

    Received a call this morning saying that it wasn’t malignant (praise God!) but they did find some bacteria. I go in Friday 8am to find out what the treatment plan will be…steroids, antibiotics or both.

    Thank you all for your prayers, encouraging comments, and concerns!


    Edit: NO bacteria was found, not sure why the caller said anything about bacteria or if I misunderstood because I was so thankful it wasn’t malignant! 😊. Was given option to treat for sarcoid or have a mediastinoscopy to remove entire node and get a definitive answer, to rule out lymphoma. We are taking weekend to think and pray about it. Leaning towards having the procedure for 2 reasons, to definitively rule out lymphoma and to possibly not have to take months of steroids. Anyone ever had this procedure done? Any opinions?

  • Allochka
    Allochka Member Posts: 1,060 Member

    Soooo happynto hear! I am not a specialist, of course, but I expected it to be non-malignant. You had a very favorable pathology for it to be mets from kidney. And it developed too fast to be primary lung cancer…

    So it is treatable and not lufe threatening, congrats!!! :-)

  • AliceB1950
    AliceB1950 Member Posts: 237 Member

    Great news! Hope your BENIGN condition can be treated quickly and easily!

  • Deanie0916
    Deanie0916 Member Posts: 614 Member

    Such good news! Hope it gets treated and healed soon!

  • Lynn_65
    Lynn_65 Member Posts: 63 Member

    NO bacteria was found, not sure why the caller said anything about bacteria or if I misunderstood because I was so thankful it wasn’t malignant! 😊

    Was given the option to treat for sarcoid or have a mediastinoscopy to remove entire node and get a definitive answer, to rule out lymphoma. We have decided to have the mediastinoscopy for 2 reasons, to definitively rule out lymphoma and to possibly not have to take months of steroids/methotrexate. It will be performed by a cardio thoracic surgeon and take about 45 minutes with results in several days.

    Anyone ever had this procedure done? Any opinions?

  • medic1971
    medic1971 Member Posts: 225 Member

    I'm not sure what you've decided, but I would have mediastinoscopy. That's just me...