[Smittie]

PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by Smittie on Sat Dec 13, 2014 10:30 am

Back in June, as part of my "smoldering" testing, I had a whole body PET/CT scan. The scan "lit up" some lymph nodes under my arm. I also had a sonogram, which was deemed fine, follow up in 6 months.

6 months was yesterday. The original lymph nodes were unchanged, but a new node was "a little plump". A needle biopsy was ordered. There was talk of other cancers. Anyone experience anything like this?

My hope is that the doctors are just being extra cautious. I would love some feedback.

[JimNY]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by JimNY on Sat Dec 13, 2014 9:59 pm

Hello Smittie,

Sorry to hear about the concerns being raised by your lymph nodes.

You mentioned that, in your recent testing, "the original lymph nodes were unchanged". Did you have a PET/CT this time and, if so, did they show up the same way on the scan as they did the last time?

I'm just trying to understand what you meant when you said that the original lymph nodes were unchanged.

[Smittie]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by Smittie on Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:21 am

Thanks for the reply JimNY

There was a sonogram done in June and one done this past week. My understanding is there was no change in the original nodes. This node did not show up in June's picture. The radiologist said it appeared abnormal and with my history should be biopsied.

[JimNY]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by JimNY on Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:32 pm

Okay, so apparently no PET/CT this time, just a sonogram. And the sonogram this time showed a node that was not abnormal last time, but abnormal enough this time that the radiologist thinks it should be biopsied.

I'm assuming that the nodes that lit up the PET/CT last time, but seemed "okay" on sonogram, are still "okay" this time?

In other words, it's really this one new abnormal node that is the main cause of concern to your radiologist, not so much the ones that were noticed last time -- right?

[Smittie]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by Smittie on Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:10 pm

Yes, that's what happened.

[Cheryl G]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by Cheryl G on Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:49 pm

Hi Smittie,

I'm not a doctor, so I can't give you any expert advice on this issue. However, from what I've read before here in the forum and from what I know about lymph nodes in general, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions about the meaning of the abnormal lymph node until its been biopsied.

If you haven't already seen them, here's a link to some of the previous discussions here in the forum on the subject of lymph nodes.

I hope your biopsy goes well. If you have a chance, please let us know what you find out. It would be helpful to know.

[Dr. Jonathan Kaufman]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by Dr. Jonathan Kaufman on Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:58 am

Smittie,

You can have enlarged lymph nodes for many reasons, including cancer, infection and normal inflammation. If you have a new enlarged lymph node, then I would agree with the plan of doing a needle biopsy. And yes, I think they are being cautious because they don't know what it is.

It is rare for myeloma to show up as enlarged lymph nodes, so I think it is unlikely to be related to the smoldering myeloma.

My best wishes,

Jlk

[Smittie]

Re: PET/CT & swelling issues with lymph node

by Smittie on Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:50 pm

Thanks Dr. Kaufman for taking the time to respond. My oncologist called with the results and they were negative. Such relief. I am also thankful he erred on the side of caution and did the biopsy to be sure.