New lumps after chemo?

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PennStateMac
PennStateMac Member Posts: 21
edited June 2014 in IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
New lumps after chemo?
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  • PennStateMac
    PennStateMac Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2008

    Hi everyone,

    My mom was recently diagnosed with IBC four weeks ago.  She is at Stage III with a local spread to the left lymph node system.  She had all of her scans (bone, CT, MRI, PET) and all came back clear.  She began chemo last week with a round of Taxol and Gemzar.  She went back for another round of just Gemzar yesterday.  At yesterday's appointment her blood count was a bit low but the doctor said the she is responding to treatment and is showing improvement.  She mentioned that she has had some abdominal swelling after last week's treatment, but the doc sisn't seem too concerned.  However, this morning she found a large lump on her left side (same as the cancer) right above her waist.  It wasn't there before and it is bigger than a golf ball.  I am very scared that this may be another tumor or that it has spread.  Since IBC is so aggressive could a cancerous tumor appear in another part of the body that quickly even if she is two rounds into treatment and all the scans from two weeks ago were clear?  I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this before.  I am really scared.  Thanks for your help.

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  • lexi4
    lexi4 Member Posts: 1,074
    edited March 2008

    Hi Mcoyne-whalen,

    Gosh, I don't have an answer other than to say make sure your mom has the lump checked straight away. I am hoping that since she is responding well to her tx that this isn't cancer. However, it really needs to be looked at.

    Hugs,

    Lexi

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  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited March 2008



    I'm hoping your Mom's lump might be a hernia of some sort, a split in the soft tissue allowing protruding of not normally present tissue in the area she's feeling. When ill, hernia's in particular can occur as our soft and fibrous tissue become more lax, due partially to protein loss as present at time of chemotherapy.



    I should hope with a clean PET scan two weeks ago, on active therapy that a new abdominal finding would be unrelated to her IBC.



    I'll keep you both in my thoughts, hoping this is some unusual benign event. You have enough on your plate and don't need additional stress.



    What a wonderful daughter to help as you do. Come and talk more should you wish, and invite your Mom to do the same.



    Best to you both,

    Tender

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  • PennStateMac
    PennStateMac Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2008

    Thank you both very much for your encouraging words and thoughts for me and my mom.  We are hoping that it is something completely unrelated to her cancer and plan to discuss it with her onc tomorrow.  This disease is very scary and such a roller coaster ride.  I appreciate you taking the time to post your thoughts.  It is nice to know that I have place that I can come and talk with women and families who are going through or have been through what we are going through right now.  Again, thank you so much!

    M

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  • kimmie39
    kimmie39 Member Posts: 319
    edited March 2008

    Hi

    Yes IBC is aggressive but two wks after clear tests, WOW that would be abnormally aggressive for the disease I think.

    Ill be hoping for some good news, After the IBC diagnoses you could use some.

    Hugs

    KIm 

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