For Lyn and others
 

Lyn,

You stated in one of your earlier posts that you have dealt with recurrence in neck nodes. Could you tell me of your experience with this. I'm wondering what to look for. I have some strange sensations going on--not sure what to attribute to. No obvious swelling, but am probably going to ask for scans next week. What scans should I ask for? MRI, PET, what is best to detect nodes? Would welcome any input from anyone else also. Thanks for any help.

Sassy
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Hyde Park Residence 2 Pattaya

Didn't intend to limit this post to just Lyn, but would appreciate input from anyone!

Thanks,

Sassy
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WEB SHOWS

Hi Sassy; Like Lyn, I've had recurrence to neck nodes, among others, and the best imaging scan for me has been a PET. Even better would be the newer PET/CT fusion scan which has just become available at my clinic and which my onc want's to use for my next scans. CT's alone haven't been as reliable for me, and PET alone can sometimes show "activity" where there isn't a tumor.

<3 Lolly

Sassy

Like Lyn and Lolly, my recurrences have all been to the nodes above the collar bone...they never show up on a plain CT scan, but I can feel them, a lump that kept growing to about the size of a bean. Hope this helps...like Lolly said, a PET/CT would be more beneficial if you can get one...they can show active areas before a tumor forms. I had my nodes removed 1x, tested and they were also Her2+++...started on Herceptin, then 1 1/2 years later they are back in the same area. I know Lolly too has had more than 1 recurrence in this area....they are stubborn. Hope this helps.

Just wanted to bump this up in case Lyn checks in.
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YoungLust

Hi Sassy, thanks, I have been off air for a few days I have felt nauseas and no energy, this is unlike me, I don't know if it is the combination of pain meds or the oral chemo, I just know I don't like the feeling. I agree with the girls, I have had lumps you could see and feel and still not show up on a CT or Scan and only been detected on a MRI, I don't have access to a PET as yet. Even my last diagnoses in the breast has not shown on ultrasound or mammo just biopsy. I have always been lucky enough to feel mine and they are just has it says a lump, a lump that wasn't there before. I always use to worry I would run out of glands, until I worked it out that the lump is actually trapped cancer cells in the lymph and when they are either destroyed by chemo or radiation the lump settles back down to a lymph node again. I had 16 out of 16 removed and they were all positive without a clear margin. I have been chasing them since 1998 and my onc has always said they won't kill me which is reassuring. Hope this helps, feel free to ask away.


Love & Hugs Lyn