Stage IV lymph node question

[blndovrblu]

Hi I was diagnosed stage IV Feb of 2015. As of Feb 2016 I was clear of all cancer. I am scanned and CEA every 3 months. CEA was 3.1 in Nov and scan showed a lymph node 15-16mm in lower abdominal where original Cancer started. Dr said they word watch this. I just had my CT and CEA completed for Feb and my CEA is now 13.1 and they said the lymph node is much bigger. They said scan showed no cancer in organs. I do not see Dr until Feb 25th. I am worried. Has anyone had this issue before

Here is my info

Colonoscopy 12/5/2014 4cm mass in rectum- moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma cinema
CT 12/8/2014.
EUS 12/12/2014 rectal mass with invasion of all layers of rectal wall into peripheral fat, no enlarged homeopathy
Adjuvant radiation 12/22/14-1/30/15
Chemo with Capecitabine 12/22/14-1/30/15
Low anterior resection with colonial an anastomosis and diverting loop ileostomy 4/1/15
1.3cm moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with tumor invading muscular proprio with metastatic adenocarcinoma in 1/16 nodes
Stage IIIA (ypT2 ypN1a M0) rectal cancer
CTA chest 6/18/15 new 816mm left upper lobe lung nodule, suspicious for metastasized
PET CT 6/24/15. Solitary left upper lobe nodule, SUV 2.6
Chemo with FOLFOX 6/30/15-10/20/15
Left upper lobe segementect o my 2/18/16 metastatic adenocarcinoma cinema ok a 1.0 cm,consistent with colorectal primary, KRAS mutant
Stage IV RECTAL CANCER

CT Scan
CEA:
12/8/14. 6.8
3/25/15 1.2
2/3/16. 1.1
3/11/16. 0.8
6/3/16. 0.9
8/30/16. 1.0
11/22/16 3.1
2/15/17. 13.1

[Achilles Torn]

Sorry about the stress this is causing you. An enlarged lymph node can happen for reasons other than cancer and this may well be something else. That being said you should push to get whatever information you need to a) get peace of mind or b) move forward with treatment if required. Personally I would be pushing to have a PET scan to provide more information and a if possible a biopsy.

I'm sure several others with more experience will chime in soon. It really helps people provide feedback if you provide some information about your cancer. This can be done in your signature (see mine below).

If you can't get that to work maybe just post a few details such as: Clinical stage, location of original tumor, pathology of tumor, location of original met(s), treatments received, MSS/MSI status (if known) etc.

Cheers
AT

[cbsmith]

I had stage 3 colon cancer and did 12 rounds of Folfox. 3 months after I finished I had a CT scan that showed an enlarged para-aortic lymph node. We waited another 3 months as my cea was low and the CT showed that it had grown. Did a pet scan and didn't have any other areas light up, just the lymph node. Surgeons said the lymph node was not able to be re,over. Biopsy was done and it was colon cancer. Started chemo for life on folfiri. The lymph node has stopped growing but has not shrunk any and I now have 2 lung mets that are growing slowly.

[thubler]

Hello. Sorry you have to stress about this. My post chemo scan showed I had a 13 mm lymph node in my mesentery. My oncologist gave me the option of a two month wait and see or a PET scan. He also said nodes can be enlarged for a number of different reasons cancer only being one . I went with the PET and it showed minimal uptake and no activity. Cancer lights up on a PET but infection can light up too. If you can, ask for the PET first so you dont have to go straight to a biopsy. Best of luck and prayers - T