xyphoid process

Maryanne · 03-26-2006, 05:58 AM

For some time now iI have had a painful, sometimes burning lump of sorts at the base of my sternum.
Had 2 oncs look at it as well as a cat of chest, abdomen and pelvis, all clear. Wnet to surgeon last week to see about removing my port ( have just finished my year of Herceptin) and asked him to feel this lump as well. He tells me it is an inflammed xyphoid process, and this area can become inflammed as well as enlarged with old age!!!! I am 53, never considered this to be old age.
Seems like since chemo and Herceptin I have aged tremendously. Arthritis, wrinkles, and just general aches and pains daily, very difficult to get going in the morning. Went web searching and didnt really come up with a why to the enlarging xyphoid process, and was wondering if anyone has gotten this as a result of Chemo and or Herceptin.

Thanks, Maryanne
P.S. love my surgeon.!!!....my onc said go ahead and remove the port, my surgeon refuses to until I have pet scan ....had some "stable" nodes on my lungs as well and he wants to make sure these were not just stable because of Herceptin...wants me to also check them out with a pulminologist. Glad someone is thinking , other than me.

Sheila · 03-26-2006, 06:11 AM

Maryanne

I think its wise to leave the port in a little longer....that is not unusual.
As far as the xiphoid process goes, did you ever have any injuries or blows to the sternum at an earlier age? I ask this as mini has been slightly enlarged for some time now due to a fractured sternum when I was in my 20's....like you I am 53, and I don't consider that OLD either!....I just know I feel 60 or more, don't know if its the Herceptin or this joy ride we are all on.

StephN · 03-26-2006, 12:47 PM

Hi -
This was an area of concern that was raised over three years ago with me when I had a complete bone scan due to sharp pains in my right ribs. Nothing was noticed where the pain was,
My PET tech told me that the area where the sternum and ribs comes together in front has a joint of sorts so that when we bend down this area is flexible. It can become slightly inflammed (from chores, gardening, etc.) and enlarge over time. They decided that it was not a recurrence in my chest wall, just the bone thing that happens normally with aging. I don't feel anything there, and nothing with this is noted on my CTs of abdoman and chest.
I think I am recalling this correctly - have not thought of it till you gals brought it up!

P.S. I am not commenting on how old I feel!