BC and Lymphoma ??? Any Information Appreciated !!

Fiaranch1

All,

I had my BMX on 10/22 . recently received results . Clear margins and no lymph node involvement on the cancerous breast. Non cancerous breast also had 1 lymph node removed as it was deemed suspicious. Now after results, this lymph node has tested positive. My MO says she will now need treat the 2 cancers separately as BC and lymphoma . ANY LYPHOMA information is appreciated. I am now waiting for a PET scan and bone marrow biopsy but the MO wont do those until I have heeled from the BMX . Waiting is making me crazy !!

toomuch

Fiaranch1- There are many types of lymphoma, the biggest differentiation is between Hodgkins and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma but within the Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma group there are at least 4 different sub types. You don't indicate the size, grade or the receptor status of the BC. If it's estrogen positive did they send it for an oncotype test. It's possible that chemo won't be recommended for the BC. There is also an indolent Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma called Follicular Lymphoma which is sometimes treated with targeted therapy. I'm sorry that you're dealing with 2 diagnosis simultaneously. I hope that you receive your full pathology reports and can get some more information form your MO while you're healing.

Hortense

I was also diagnosed with Lymphoma when my lymph node pathology came back. It shook up my Primary Provider, but after seeing a Lymphoma specialist at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC several times I know that what I have is a Non-Hodgkins small cell and it is indolent. It's not treatable until it wakes up so nothing can be about it right now. Who knows when or if that will happen. Apparently if I start feeling tired and have unexplained fevers I am to go back and have it checked out, but until then I am not going to worry about it. It's been in my body a while, they say, many years possibly, so I will keep on as I have been when I didn't know about it.

With luck, your's will be the same. It didn't affect my treatment. I was given the go ahead to have which ever chemo cocktail I wanted - as if I wanted any of them

Fiaranch1

Too Much,

Thanks for your reply .BC Stage 1 was EST and PRO positive HER neg . Still awaiting the oncotype test results which could be another 3-4 weeks. My Mo said the lymphoma is low grade and not to worry yet. She is very thorough and I perceive her to be very good . So she said she needed all the results back and then we will make overall plan . So all know at this point is hormone blockers for 5-10 years ,(which brand will determine where I am in menopause , due to a hysterectomy several years ago that status is TBD) . I have been waiting for all theae results before I fill out my profile on this site.

Do you know the best place to read up on the various types of lymphoma? I have looked at Mayo clinic and John Hopkins and neither of them had much detail . I know how dangerous it is to start surfing the web for medical advice . Just trying to get as educated as I can while waiting for the next round of tests . UGGHHH the waiting !!!

toomuch

Fiaranch - My was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 80yo, unfortunately, he was stage 4 at diagnosis. Retrospectively, we determined that he had probably had it for 14 years. He was otherwise in perfect health, so he was treated for the lymphoma. Over the next 4 1/2 years, I learned a lot about follicular lymphoma and large B cell lymphoma, as he had both. If you feel you must research, a good place to start is at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website. I scared the crap out of myself surfing the web when I was first diagnosed with BC. My MO finally ordered no surfing until I had my final pathology. I think that was good advice! The waiting is sooo hard but there's no benefit to worrying about things that may not pertain to your situation. This was a hard lesson for me learn!

Fiaranch1

Too Much and Hortense ,

Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate it more than you know . Got the final lymph node biopsy back and it was positive and deem follicular lymphoma. Still waiting for my oncotype tests. Whole body pet scan tomorrow (fingers crossed) Then MO appointment on 11/22 . Hopefully by then I will have all results (oncotype, genetic tests, pet scan more blood tests etc. ) . I know the waiting is hell and we all try to think about other things but .......... Your responses and this website have been a huge help !!

My new mantra is "it is what it is, and since I don't know yet what it is ........ I will just put on my big girl panties and deal .................