Quick question, I am waiting for an appointment from the hospital for a ultrasound scan on my neck for swollen lymph nodes which I've had since the beginning of the year. Also suffer with tiredness and persistent low grade fever.
My question is those who've been diagnosed with lymphoma, what size where your lymph nodes. As I've got a funny feeling they won't carry a biopsy out under the scan due to them not been 'big enough' to be lymphoma.
Thank you.
I'm surprised they're doing an ultrasound and not a cat scan. A biopsy can be done on lymph nodes whatever the size, mine was about as big as a pea. I had 3 by the time treatment started! Don't worry, if it did happen to be lymphoma treatment is not as bad as you think it might be. Keep us up to date.
This happened to me, so I got a 2nd opinion at a different hospital and I am due to have ct scan with contrast 5th sept and have an appointment with heamatologist 15th sept for results.
Hi Joy we've spoken before. Yes its an ultra sound type of scan. Hopefully they will carry out and biopsy during this scan. I believe it'd be a fine needle one through this method. The appointment can take Up to 12weeks to come through although I'm hoping its faster. About 3 of mine are bean sized and the others abit smaller but still noticeable. All in all I have about 7.
My concern is just that I know someone who had the same scan and then a biopsy wasn't carried out due to the nodes only being pea sized. And been told if it was Lymphoma they'd be bigger.
So my worry is the same now, but as you've just said you've had lymphoma with only pea sized nodes then I know I can push for the biopsy during the scan as they don't have to be overly big.
Thank you once again Joy for your advise, and as too previously. X
Hi Joan thanks for taking your time to reply. May I ask what size your nodes are and how long yove had them, I am really hoping a biopsy can be carried out I will push for that whilst having the scan. Good luck to yourself Joan with getting to the bottom of it x
If I had a spare two thousand I'd have a biopsy carried out straight away privately cut all this waiting around out been told this and that but unfortunately I don't lol I know the NHS is strained and has so many people to see but waiting and the unknown is enough to drive anyone crazy lol
A surgical removal of one of the lymph nodes is more accurate than a fine needle biopsy as the latter can actually miss a stray cancer cell, so I would push for the former. As I said, a biopsy can be undertaken with any size lymph node. The person who told you that they would be bigger if it is lymphoma is wrong. Push for surgical biopsy, get the results and then you can deal with whatever it is and get appropriate treatment. Be assertive if you have to - it's your body!
The ones in my neck are pea shaped and the one under my arm is the same but feels rubbery and is moveable. The ones in my neck have been there for years. The ons in my armpit and groin came up last December. The groin ones come and go. I did have one in my other armpit but that comes and goes. I see chest specialist tue 13th sept and heamatologist thur 15th sept. I am going to ask if the scan results can be faxed to chest specialist before my appointment. x
Hi Emma, I'm a survivor of NHL having been diagnosed in 1994. At a consultation for a lump about the size of an apricot seed just in front of my ear and some smaller ones below my jaw which felt like peas.
A Fine Needle Biopsy revealed NHL, not glands which the GP suspected from an infection or a dental problem. .
The procedure was painless.
Having been diagnosed positively further testing was carried out in the way of Scans and bloods.
From there things began to move very quickly and before I knew I was having Chemotherapy.
My story goes on and on. ... but I am still waking up in the mornings.
Have your tests, ask heaps of questions about your fears and above all stay positive and work with the medics..
My thoughts and good wishes are with you.
Keep in touch via this link.
JohnEdna;-)
I finished chemotherapy for DLBCL a year ago and then had radiotherapy. I couldn't agree more with everything you've said to Emma. Cancer is not always the killer that it was years ago - and you're the living proof. It's not always easy to stay positive but with the right support it's definitely achievable.
Hi Emma, I have been reading through your posts about your concerns and I share how you are feeling, I found a lump in my neck at Christmas last year and went into panic mode, it's about the size of a kidney bean and it's about half way down on my right side, I went to the docs and was sent for an ultrasound the appointment took about 6 weeks to come through and I stressed about it something rotten all the time and I was playing with the lump agrivating it all the time, I had my ultrasound and they said it was just a reactive lymphnode no cause for concern they didn't do a biopsy etc and said all looked fine which was a relief to hear, the lump is still there it hasn't gotten any bigger and hasn't gotten smaller either, it aches as well from time to time, I try to forget about it but it's hard at times! I have in the last 3 months started having really bad night sweats to and my groin hurts so this has now blown up the hole lymphoma fear again...! I know however the night sweats could be down to the anxiety meds I am taking but it still doesn't stop the fear that it could be something more sinester, I am going back to the doctors next week for another chat to see if anything further can be done.
You are perfectly normal to stress and worry about this as it's very scary, all I would say though is lay off google because every symptom you google it will always lead you to cancer because there are so many links to it.
Xx
A quick update I've had an appointment for the ultra sound scan. It's this Friday. It's a step in the right direction, with a possibility of a biopsy which im hoping and praying for but is ultimately the theirs decision although I will push for it. I will post Friday evening. Just have to wait and see now.
Hi Emma. As I have said so many times before, be assertive, labour the point if you have to - you need answers for your peace of mind. Make sure you keep us up to date and good luck.
I know I will be assertive but I can't make them do I biopsy if they don't want to do one that's my worry. There's all that about a second opinion but at the end of the day if they say everything seems to look okay they don't have to do a biopsy do they. Which is what I can see happening. Will post Friday x
I think all we can do, you and I, is put our faith in the amazing doctors that are our NHS. We read about cases, on this site and others, where patients are badly let down, but this is the minority not the majority, and usually it is about the G.P. not referring them quickly enough. The doctors that have been treating me have been fantastic and I am sure this will be the case for you too. If this wasn't the case there would not be such a high rate of cancer recovery and cure that there is, so keep your chin up, we're all rooting for you.
Great work and congratulations you have made a BIG step in the right direction. I, and many others, have our fingers crossed for you for friday.
Looking forward to your next post.
Best wishes
JohnEdna x
HI ALL,
Would just like to share with you that I've had my ultra sound this morning. And the sonographer said all looks clear. I am pleased with this, she explained that the lumps in my neck are lymph nodes but they looked completely normal. There just under my skin not deep down and look fine, she mentioned she'd done these scans a fair bit and would notice if they were abnormal. Due to this there's no further action required so a biopsy wasn't offered. Only if they had looked abnormal a further referal would have been made. The nodes don't even appear to be over reactive either and told me they've probably always been there but I've never noticed them. Which I can understand in a sense because i only discovered one by chance and kept prodding and poking finding the others. She told me they look symmetrical so same pattern on either side and they normal. This is a really big relief. I would like to Thank you all for the advise especially Joy, for the past couple of months. I can now stop worrying and enjoy being a normal 24 year old again with a young child. Know I know of this awareness it will always stay with me just in case for future references
Thank you all again... xx
I am so happy for you Emma I cried! That is absolutely wonderful news and I am so happy and relieved for you. Look forward now and not back, I'm sure you and your little one will have a wonderful future together - you've had your share of worry. Love to you both, Joy.
Well done Emma, we all knew that you could do it, all that worry could only give you grey hair at your young age.
I join Joy and admit that I too welled up with a lump in my throat at your results.
In future should anything else happen to cause concern remember that early diagnosis is the key to positive results.
Hopefully you won't have any further need to worry. Enjoy your life and celebrate with your loved ones, family and friends.
I am over the moon for you.
Lots of love
Hi Joy, Please allow me to congratulate you for the way in which you supported Emma during the highly stressful and worrying time that she has just endured.
At a young and tender age, with a child to consider too, coupled with a degree of naivety, the mind promotes terrible fears of the unknown.
We, having been in similar situations can speak with authority on such matters.
Once again thanks for the display of humanity and support to such a courageous young lady. . My sincerest best wishes to you for a healthy and happyand successful future.
JohnE...