how do you know if cancer is spread to lymph nodes?

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oncology12345
oncology12345 Member Posts: 41
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi, I've posted here before that I have a perianal squamous cell carcinoma in situ as diagnosed recently by biopsy,  Today my doctor said I have a T1 cancer with no spread to anywhere else as shown on my mri and ct scan. He never mentioned nodes though, I'm wondering how a doctor knows if it's in the nodes? Does the scan also show that or does he have to biopsy or something to see?? 

Also I don't believe a T1 is the same as what was originally diagnosed or is it??

I'd be thankful for any help  or advice.

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  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #2
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    No expert

    It is so hard to think of what to ask when you are in a doctor's office, isn't it?

    They should perhaps have said T1N0M0.

    But the words "in situ" means that it has not spread. My biopsy report read "invasive anal cancer". It sounds like your biopsy report said "in situ anal cancer" which is the best case scenario, from what I can see.

    I had "carcinoma in situ" of the cervix (sp?) when I was 26. I was treated with surgery and it never came back.

    I am no expert as it says in the subject line but it appears you have caught your cancer early and you will be cured 100%. Just take care of yourself during and after treatment.

    All the best,

    Sandy

  • nicotianna
    nicotianna Member Posts: 209
    #3
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    lymph nodes

    My inguinal nodes lit up on a PET scan.  My inguinal nodes were palpable bilaterally.  As I recall they even felt "hot".  Sometimes nodes are biopsied or removed for pathology.  Pretty sure an MRI & CT would visualize them.  I doubt you need to worry.  I think that since your ca did not spread to nearby organs, ie, perineum or vagina that unlikely did not spread to nodes.

    Nic

  • oncology12345
    oncology12345 Member Posts: 41
    #4
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    nicotianna said:

    lymph nodes

    My inguinal nodes lit up on a PET scan.  My inguinal nodes were palpable bilaterally.  As I recall they even felt "hot".  Sometimes nodes are biopsied or removed for pathology.  Pretty sure an MRI & CT would visualize them.  I doubt you need to worry.  I think that since your ca did not spread to nearby organs, ie, perineum or vagina that unlikely did not spread to nodes.

    Nic

    Thanks very much, I really

    Thanks very much, I really appreciate those replies.SmileI am beginning to ease on the worrying.   At last.    My doctor has reassured me that it is a simple enough operation, but that doesn't stop me worrying. Next step now is to get it excised. Could anyone give me some ideas on how to look after the area after excision??  I know I will be given some tips in hospital but if anyone has any from personal experience I'd be thankful.

     

    Again thanks for the replies and hoping everyone here is keeping well.

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    #5
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    MRI

    The MRi and or PET scan should show if there is any lymph node involvement.  Ask your doctor if the MRI indicated any lymph node involvement.

    Mike

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #6
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    oncology12345 said:

    Thanks very much, I really

    Thanks very much, I really appreciate those replies.SmileI am beginning to ease on the worrying.   At last.    My doctor has reassured me that it is a simple enough operation, but that doesn't stop me worrying. Next step now is to get it excised. Could anyone give me some ideas on how to look after the area after excision??  I know I will be given some tips in hospital but if anyone has any from personal experience I'd be thankful.

     

    Again thanks for the replies and hoping everyone here is keeping well.

    excision recovery

    I can speak from experience based on countless biopsies and excisions that it all depends on how deep and wide they need to go, I have had times where I went in the OR on Thursday and was back to work on Monday, I have also had a stiuation where I was home nearly 2 weeks. My best advice to you is stool softeners, sitz baths, no  physical exertion and extra proiten even if you can make smoothies and add protien powder, grrek yogurt and chia seeds, you really need extra protien to speed the healing. You may also want to have some abd pads to tuck in between the cheeks to keep changing due to drainage. Wishing you the best of luck.

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