Swollen Lymph Nodes

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goodnessme
goodnessme Member Posts: 18
edited December 2015 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

My cancer treatment was completed in August 2014 and I am on Tamoxifen. Question..... When I had my lumpectomy, I was told that there was no lymph node involvement. They removed two nodes. I thought I had a pinched nerve - my arm has been aching from typing too much. This same arm pain happened a year before my surgery but went away with physiotherapy, massage and chiropractic treatments.

So I went to see my GP. She detected a couple of swollen lymph nodes and tomorrow, I will have an ultrasound. Seriously... could this really be cancer? I can't even process it at all. Anyone in this position?

Is there anything I should be aware of or proactive about concerning this? Should I be requesting a biopsy? What will the ultrasound show? Is it able to detect cancer?

Thank you for your input. I hate cancer.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2015

    The ultrasounds can show if the nodes are thickened, misshapen, etc. That being said, the only way to know fo rsure is a biopsy, so if they're at all abnormal, request they do one. Hoping all comes out clear.

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited December 2015

    I have swollen lymph nodes, too. However, mine are caused by my connective tissue disease. Whenever I find a new one it does make me a bit nervous, but overall I'm confident that it isn't cancer because I have them in multiple places, not just under my arms. Lymph nodes can swell for a number of reasons, so try not to worry.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited December 2015

    IMO its a good sign that you had the same pain before your surgery. Lymph nodes can be enlarged for many reasons other than cancer. As someone else stated the ultrasound may pick up some things but only definitive diagnosis is biopsy. Good luck and keep us posted.....

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  • goodnessme
    goodnessme Member Posts: 18
    edited December 2015

    Thank you all so much. You have given me some peace. I go this afternoon. Fingers crossed. You are all my angels from afar.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited December 2015

    Keep us posted.

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  • Dee2010
    Dee2010 Member Posts: 80
    edited December 2015

    Goodnessme, I hope everything went well. I have had a couple of similar scares - one with scans showing I probably had bone mets (I do not) and biopsy of a lymph nodes behind my ear.I have a string of them that are swollen there, and biopsy on some risks becoming deaf so it was a bit unnerving. Again, no cancer. I do have markers for pernicious anemia, but that's an easy fix of taking vitamin B12 if it does come up later.

    My onco did explain to me that test results that others would receive a "normal" on, because of my cancer history they will explore until they're sure there are no mets or other cancers (I've had three primary cancers, no mets). And, as others have said, there is a multitude of things that can cause swollen lymph nodes. Most of them just mean that the nodes are doing their job, so hopefully that is the case for you. Sending good thoughts your way...

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  • goodnessme
    goodnessme Member Posts: 18
    edited December 2015

    I went for my ultrasound. I don't have results as of yet. I did get a call from my Cancer Center and they are booking me in for another ultrasound and mammogram based on my last results (whatever that means). You know - every single little "tic" and I get triggered back to thinking about a reoccurrence. I hate how cancer has this type of control over my thoughts. Does this ever ease up? I am such a positive person and have tried to put this behind me in every single way. It really wears you down.

    Anyway - I will post more when I know something. I feel a bit confused about it all at the moment.

    Thank you all!! xox

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited December 2015

    I'm sure you feel as though you've just gone through this - and here you are again; a downbeat version of "Groundhog Day."

    I'm told that in time the fear of recurrence fades and we get less jumpy about things but I've not reached that point yet (and am very sensitive about my nodes, too) and figure I just have to ride it out. It's not easy. It's good however that your MD is taking things seriously rather than brushing your concerns aside.

    I hope you get in SOON for your follow-up imaging and get the all clear a.s.a.p. Hang in there. We're with you.

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