On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis

[AlaskaAngel]

I am in full agreement with DLaxague about this. I too happen to not be located near a cancer center. For other reasons I received a delayed diagnosis. My PCPs were asleep at the wheel -- too many substituting physicians, and a hospital that did a poor job of checking out the background and experience of a "breast cancer specialist" surgeon... and, a patient who was not persistent enough about the need to question doctors and the system.

The mistake we make is in not listening to our own sense of the problem enough to seek out second and even third opinions, including one from a known center that specializes in detection.

Delayed diagnosis is hard to live with mentally no matter what the outcome, and much harder still for those with a cancer that has spread.

AlaskaAngel

[Ceesun]

Just an FYI here.... THIRTY years ago I had a freely movable enlarged lymph node in neck that remained there for 3 years....had several thyroid scans since I was at high risk which were all negative....docs said no cancer.....finally, my ob-gyn said you know, I want you to biopsy that even though others say its fine. When I did, it was shown that I had a very slow growing thyroid cancer, about 3mm in size, that never showed as anything on the thyroid, but spread to the cervical node. I say all enlarged bumps and lumps should be suspect until proven otherwise. Ceesun