New lump scared questions?

Alice · 11-15-2005, 09:23 AM

Hi ladies,
I don't want to be paranoid but sometimes it is hard not to be.
I finished chemo in september and had surgery oct 7. Now waiting to hear if I'll be doing radiation.Soon to start herceptin for the ballance of the year.
I had a pet/ct done in march all was clear at that time.
Now I requested a ct of the head due to ongoing headaches all thru chemo and they haven't gone away since chemo stopped.Now I have found a lump in my neck. It isn't verry big and is located below my chin on the same side as mastectomy.
Does anyone know if the ct of the head will include the neck and if so does it show if there is a malignancy in soft tissue?
My original diagnosis was IDC stage 2 grade 3 er/pr- her2+++
any info you can give will help ease my mind. My ct is on 11/22 so I will appreciate any advice you have so I can ask the right questions.
Thank you all for all you do for me
Alice

Sheila · 11-15-2005, 05:55 PM

Alice

A ct scan of the head should show any lymph nodes or abnormalities...but an MRI would be more the norm if you have been having headaches...it monitors the brain much more closely. About the lump, we have many lymph nodes in the neck, chin jaw, collarbone area...most can react to a slight infection, cold, inflammation, teeth problem....it is scary but monitor it, and if it doesn't go away, get it checked...the CT scan will tell if it is something to be concerned with...it is scary..I have had a lot of trouble with my neck nodes, but Herceptin has worked magic for over 2 years, and continues to do so....stay calm, get the CT, an MRI for the brain (headaches), and don't worry until you know there is something to worry about....think positive...you will be fine, and if they do find anything, let the Herceptin do its magic!

Lyn · 11-16-2005, 01:30 AM

Hi there, how are you sleeping. I went through a stage where I had headaches that were that bad I wanted to pass out and it was due to the fact I was worrying that much I didn't sleep so once I started on Prothieden I slept well and the headaches stopped. As to the lump, I too am one that has them in the neck area and I have been chasing them since 1998, radiation usually gets rid of them and if no good chemo usually does the trick. There are a few of us now on this site with similar characteristics, lymph gland and skin mets involvement, and luckily staying away from organs or the bones. A CT scan for the Head and Neck will reveal lumps, but as mentioned a MRI is better, considering you are having such bad headaches it would not be unreasonable to ask your onc to order one, a MRI picks things up sooner than a CT scan, and that is better.

Love & Hugs Lyn

Alice · 11-16-2005, 06:54 PM

Thank you for your replies.I feel better already. I saw the radiation onc today and had her check it out & it looks ok. She deffinitely recomends I do radiation so it looks like I'll be starting next week. I'll probably have lots more questions for you all comming up. In addition to chest wall rads she wants to do neck rads too. Have any of you had that?

Well thanks again you are all a life saver to me!

Lyn · 11-17-2005, 06:09 AM

Hi there, I have had continual neck rads for lumps that came up after I completed first line of chemo and chest rads, so I would go for the neck at the same time, like they say, a stitch in time saves nine, not to mention the time saved if you did need to go back in the future had you not done it now.

Love & Hugs Lyn