New Fears, lymph nodes

Hi, I'm 4 yrs post surgery for Endo Cancer. Cat Scan has turned up 3 mildly enlarged lymph nodes (inguinal and iliac). Sending me for a Pet Scan, and we'll see from there. I also have severe leg edema on the same side. I'm wondering if anyone has had lymph enlargement, and it has been related to edema (or anything else) instead of a recurrence of the cancer. I'm trying not to get lost in fear. I didn't expect to be "back there" again 4 years later. Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

Hi TMJ,

A couple of years after treatment I had several weeks of lower left abdominal pain, saw the onc who found swollen inguinal lymph nodes, got a scan that showed apparent size increase in something or other which had been thought benign previously. Got scheduled for lymph node biopsy. I think I had calf pain and a little swelling also (I have some mild lymphedema, usually no swelling) but maybe that was another time.

Here we go, thought I.

Turns out the apparent size increase was due to bad comparison to previous MRI. By the time I was on the biopsy table the lymph nodes were back to normal size, no abdominal pain. When the MRI was read correctly, a cyst that was seen previously was gone, and onc surmised that cyst had broken and been resorbed causing the abdominal pain. Now three years later, here I am, good as gold.

So I'm just saying, things can look really bad and be okay. Lymph nodes swell for all kinds of benign reasons, that's their job. Of course you'll get this followed up, but as an old friend from the board always said, never waste a good panic. Almost everyone (maybe really everyone) who's had cancer is sure that she is having a recurrence some time or other.

Hope you are asleep and having a sweet dream. I'll watch the board to see how you are doing.

I have had swollen nodes almost since my surgery for endometrial cancer. I too have right leg lymphedema, decreased after going to a lymph physical therapist. Am having pet scan today to check that everything okay.CT scan did not compare well and I am wondering if it has to do with new hospital reading it. Better on the safe side. Sending you good thoughts.

Nodes can become enlarged for a number of reasons. I had a scare a couple years ago when I had swelling in my left leg. While ruling out a blood clot with an ultra sound the tech saw an enlarged node. I didn't think much of the student tech asking "what's that?" until I received a call to schedule a PET scan later that day.

It turned out to be due to either an ingrown hair or infection I was fighting. I was told not to shave for 2 weeks before the PET. Also, a week or two before the ultra sound I had fought a head cold and was still dealing with the left over symptoms.

I never thought I'd be so happy to be diagnosed with lymphedema, which was the end result for my leg swelling!

Thank you ladies! I appreciate your sharing your stories and your help. Opposite, excellent advice about not wasting a good panic! Hard to do, but I'm going to try. I see that your docs were looking at an MRI. Are you able to do this instead of Cat Scans, or is it in addition to them?

This might sound strange, but I had a really bad belly button infection (bizarre, I know) and it wasn't completely healed when I had the cat scan. I mentioned to my gyn/onco, but he said it's not related, but who knows?

All4Reading, I hope your pet scan results are ok ... sending good thoughts and hugs to you too!

Vega, I will take your advice and not shave (I'm assuming you mean just in that area!) until after my pet scan.

Thanks a lot!

All the nurse said to me was "don't shave until after the test. starting today". I didn't shave my legs at all...and yes..I felt like an ape!! But I was so nervous about false positives that I didn't want to run any risk.

Oh! Well, OK then ... I guess I won't be shaving either!

Just wanted to pop by with some hugs for you! Fingers crossed for a totally boring PET result!


monami

Thank you so much monami!

TMJ:
I too had a ct scan that showed enlarged liver and heart... My gyn/onc said not to worry... that it was probably due to the position on the table when the scan was taken... The next one was fine. Makes me wonder why we do it when the cost is so high and the results sometimes questionable....
At least they are checking out possibilities and are on top of things.
I can sometimes feel the swelling going on in lower groin/leg area and it seems lately, like I "catch" any thing going around... I am sure if I had a scan right now they would be swollen.
Like Vega said, it could be something very SIMPLE... try not to worry.