Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

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Canada777
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:24 pm

Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby Canada777 » Sun Jul 09, 2017 6:41 pm

Hi all,

A recent CT scan shows a swollen pelvic lymph node. We were told this could be for a variety of reasons and that sometimes a lymph node can be biopsied to see if it is cancerous. Anyone had a lymph node biopsied? If it does turn out to be cancerous is surgery ever an option to remove a lymph node? Or is it more chemo? Radiation? We don't really know much at this point.

Thank you,
DH dx. Stage 4 Colon cancer with Peri mets Dec '15 @ age 29
12 Rounds FOLFOX & then successful HIPEC in 2016. Diagnosis changed to appendix cancer.
Recurrence to pelvis 9 months later.
Years of chemo.
At rest. Sept 2021.

User avatar
CRguy
Posts: 10472
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby CRguy » Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:40 pm

Canada777 wrote: Anyone had a lymph node biopsied?

No but I have biopsied maybe a thousand or so..... for that exact same reason = to further define the Dx !

If it does turn out to be cancerous is surgery ever an option to remove a lymph node?

The node would only likely be a sentinal = there could be cancer elsewhere ... OR at least they should LOOK long and hard to be sure there is NOT !

Or is it more chemo? Radiation? We don't really know much at this point. Thank you,

WHICH is why the biopsy and follow up would be done ..
to let you know IF more treatment is needed

one lymph node is NOT necessarily a new cancer diagnosis ... lymphadenopathy is very common and absolutely NOT always cancer !!!

take it a step at a time my friend ... like I said I've probably done a thousand biopsies ....

get the results and then plan your journey

Cheers
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

Canada777
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:24 pm

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby Canada777 » Mon Jul 10, 2017 12:09 pm

Thanks for the info CR guy. Hopefully we know more soon and I'll try not to get too ahead of myself just yet.
DH dx. Stage 4 Colon cancer with Peri mets Dec '15 @ age 29
12 Rounds FOLFOX & then successful HIPEC in 2016. Diagnosis changed to appendix cancer.
Recurrence to pelvis 9 months later.
Years of chemo.
At rest. Sept 2021.

menreeq
Posts: 70
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:26 am

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby menreeq » Mon Jul 10, 2017 2:35 pm

I have not had a lymph node biopsy, so I don't have any experience/insight regarding that.

Enlarged lymph nodes on CT are nonspecific, as your physicians and CRguy have said. Have they brought up the possibility of PET/CT prior to biopsy? PET/CT may or may not be helpful -- depends on how big the node is and, if it's hypermetabolic (meaning it "lights up" on PET), to what degree. So, sometimes, a PET/CT will just lead to biopsy anyway. However, it may be helpful in finding other areas of increased activity. It may be worth asking your physician whether they think it would be helpful or would just delay the inevitable biopsy.

Best of luck to you.
Stage IIA rectosigmoid CC (T3N0M0)
Dx 6/5/17 @age 41ls
Workup: c-scope, EUS, rectal MRI, CT C/A/P
AdenoCA 5.5cm, WHO Grade 2, 0/22 LN, no distant mets
CEA 1.9 (6/5/17), 0.8 (2/28/18), 1.0 (9/17/18), 1.1 (4/16/19), 1.0 (9/24/19), 1.7 (7/8/20)
No lymphovasc/perineural invasion, clear margins
MSI intact, OncotypeDx RS 7
Lap sig colectomy 6/23/17, no ileo/colostomy
Genetics neg for mutations, 4 VUS
Xeloda monotherapy 8/13/17-1/22/18
PET/CT 3/21/18 NED
CT C/A/P 9/17/18 NED, 3/8/19 NED, 9/19/19 NED, 5/13/20 NED

chelita_109
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:04 am

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby chelita_109 » Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:21 am

Hi just wondering if you had a biopsy yet? My mom is having a EUS for a enlarged lymph node by her deudenum. Hoping. All is well with you and thanks for posting

Canada777
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:24 pm

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby Canada777 » Sun Jul 30, 2017 10:06 am

Hi Chelita - he did have the biopsy. It was a relatively quickly and simple procedure and very low in the pelvic area. We get results this week and i'll post to let you know.

Just curious...what is an EUS?
DH dx. Stage 4 Colon cancer with Peri mets Dec '15 @ age 29
12 Rounds FOLFOX & then successful HIPEC in 2016. Diagnosis changed to appendix cancer.
Recurrence to pelvis 9 months later.
Years of chemo.
At rest. Sept 2021.

Basil
Posts: 275
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:33 pm

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby Basil » Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:52 pm

I was diagnosed stage iii with one enlarged lymph nose. Cancer shrunk significantly with preadjuvant chemo and node went from, iirc, 11mm to 4mm. Based on that, I assume it's cancerous but heard rumblings that it could be something else, like inflammation.

CRguy, any thought on that?

BTW, the node and most of my rectum are coming out at 3:00 tomorrow.
40 y/o male (now 46), kids 11 & 14.
Dx 3/16/17, rectal cancer s3,t3,n1,m0
PROSPCT trial (FOLFOX in lieu of chemorad)
FOLFOX 4/5/17 - 6/26/17
LAR 7/31/17, temp ileo
pathological complete response
Adjuvant chemo cancelled (IDEA Study)
Ileo reversed 9/25/17
NED
1 year scans - clear
2 year scans - clear
3 year scans - clear
4 year scans - clear
5 year scans - clear (considered cured)

chelita_109
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:04 am

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby chelita_109 » Fri Sep 01, 2017 3:56 am

Canada777 wrote:Hi Chelita - he did have the biopsy. It was a relatively quickly and simple procedure and very low in the pelvic area. We get results this week and i'll post to let you know.

Just curious...what is an EUS?

Sorry I'm just getting to you. Its been one heck of a month. To answer your question EUS=Endoscopic ultrasound. She had an EUS done on the 8/8 on the enlarged lymph node and it was confirmed cancer. It's considered stage 4 but since she has no evidence of disease in any organs then it could be treated. She had a medi port place in for the second time and will start treatment on 9/5. Hoping for best. The plan is Chemo, surgery to remove node and finish with more chemo.

How did his biopsy go? Any news?

Canada777
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:24 pm

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby Canada777 » Fri Sep 01, 2017 5:12 pm

Hi Chelita - similar situation to you. The spot came back positive for cancer after the biopsy. Apparently it's a spot not a node. We got a PET too and it seems to be the only area that lit up on the PET...so surgery is still possible but need chemo for awhile first. Hope all goes well for your mom on chemo too.
DH dx. Stage 4 Colon cancer with Peri mets Dec '15 @ age 29
12 Rounds FOLFOX & then successful HIPEC in 2016. Diagnosis changed to appendix cancer.
Recurrence to pelvis 9 months later.
Years of chemo.
At rest. Sept 2021.

chelita_109
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:04 am

Re: Swollen Pelvic Lymph Node?

Postby chelita_109 » Thu Sep 07, 2017 1:11 am

That's good news. Possible surgery and no other evidence of disease is great news. Hoping and praying chemo works in your situation and my moms. She Started chemo Monday and will be disconnected tomorrow. That will make one chemo cycle down. One day at a time right. Hugs :)


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