MRI showed prominent subpectoral lymph node; awaiting biopsy.

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PalBuddy
PalBuddy Member Posts: 27
edited May 2019 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

Hi All,

Well, I'm terrified. My one-year scan showed "prominent subpectoral lymph node" on the cancer side. (left) They did a biopsy and I am awaiting results. They've also scheduled a PET scan for the end of next week.

I was Stage 1A to start and am now fairly frantic that I have jumped to Stage 4.

My mother passed from pancreatic cancer, with me at her side, 5 months ago. My sister was last week told that her cancer treatment (advanced cervical) was terminal with a few months to live. I had been planning to go down to where she lives to be by her side, but then got this test result. We'd never had a history of cancer in my family.

So, did they miss the cancer the first time and it's been spreading all year? My cancer markers weren't raised on last test (a few months ago), but I'm not sure how reliable they are.

Thanks for any positive thoughts. Or really any thoughts...my mother was who I always talked to about everything...bless my husband, he tries to support in that man-way...

I've taken a valium...

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited April 2019

    Better living thru chemistry! Seriously, a little anti-anxiety medication can be very valuable. Deep breathing usually helps me calm down...

    As you probably know, cervical cancer is likely from HPV so has no relevance in terms of family history. Pancreatic is another/horrible matter: so sorry that your mom was such a recent loss especially since she was your confidant. Your hubby might be like most men who are truly clueless at times but at least he's trying to be supportive. Hopefully you can get to your sister's during this ordeal and be helpful to her.

    I can think of lots of reasons why this thing might be benign or a somewhat 'easy' fix. A smoldering infection can cause lymph nodes to enlarge, a single spot of local recurrence is not automatically categorized as metastatic disease, your team is being proactive by getting a PET scan, etc. Let us know what you learn from the biopsy.

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  • PalBuddy
    PalBuddy Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2019

    Thank you. 💓

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  • AMLMom
    AMLMom Member Posts: 102
    edited April 2019

    I’m so sorry you are facing this again! My mother also passed away of pancreatic cancer (when I was young). Sounds like you are dealing with so much at the moment. I will pray for positive results for you.

    For what it’s worth, I had a prominent lymph node light up on my MRI. It ended up being benign.

    Best wishes


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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2019

    Keep us posted on the results. Waiting is hard. And scary. Hoping it is something other than cancer. Since you have had so many recent bouts of cancer in your family, if they did not already do genetic testing (the full panel), ask that it be done. Sorry you are dealing with this.

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  • PalBuddy
    PalBuddy Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2019

    Thank you. The waiting is hard. And oh so scary. It's kind of surreal. I'm waiting to find out if my cancer has returned in my lymph nodes and if it has spread elsewhere, while at the same time sad about my sister. Hospice called me today to say they think she has weeks not months. She is sensing that, too. My MedOnc said that, if mine is a recurrence, I would have to have surgery (if it's possible) straightaway and start chemo.

    I've only had BRCA1 testing. MSK (Sloan Kettering - where I was treated) would do more, if I could work up the nerve to schedule an appointment. (They left me a message a few months ago.) I don't have my mother's pathology though, because hers was advanced when found and she chose no treatment - so no tests. My sister's cancer was non-HPV.

    I have waves of hope about my own cancer, but then get scared for having them based on my experiences with my family this year.

    Sorry to be a downer. My head is spinning.

    Thanks for the kind words.

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  • Salamandra
    Salamandra Member Posts: 1,444
    edited April 2019

    Palbuddy,

    I'm so sorry for how much you've been through and are going through. It would make anybody's head spin. Don't worry about being a downer here, of all places!

    I hope that you'll get to spend some good time with your sister, in one form or another. And that your own diagnosis/prognosis comes back bright.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2019

    Pick up the phone and call MSK. Even if it is not a recurrence, get the genetic testing so you have information to help make decisions. No matter what the biopsy shows, you can discuss the situation with them while there.


    I paid for my full testing out of pocket. I used COLOR Genomics. It was about $250, but was slick, easy, and pretty quick.

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  • PalBuddy
    PalBuddy Member Posts: 27
    edited April 2019

    Well, my biopsy results came back with negative for malignancy cells, but did show lymphocytes.

    But the doctor who did the procedure informed me there is such a thing as "false negative" and, though this is a good “first step” that we must confirm with the PET scan. That is scheduled for Friday.

    I felt a bit better for about 15 seconds and now am in knots again. Sigh

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited May 2019

    Sounds like good news so far!!! May the good news continue!

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