Hoarssness of voice and right supraclavicular node enlarged: help!! - Page 2

michka · 05-13-2010, 04:51 AM

Hi Fullofbeans I don't like to hear you worried like that. My question may be stupid but could a Pet/Scan let you know faster than waiting (till it maybe grows) if the node is cancerous? Is a Pet/Scan difficult to accede in the UK? I send you hugs. Michka

Sheila · 05-13-2010, 06:40 AM

FullofBeans

As an official in the neck lump area, I can tell you mine shower up in 2003, and has come and gone like an old friend since then, depending on treatment. I had the first group removed, they were on the same side as my breast cancer, they were tested as much to everyones surprise, they were an identical replica of the breast cancer in characteristics...I have been battling them for 7 years. My hoarseness came 6 years later, and was caused by the lymph nodes pressing on and paralyzing my left vocal cord.
A swollen node can cause the hoarseness, truly not uncommon.....is yours on the same side as the breast cancer? Sending you positive vibes that all it is is an inflamed node, which is most likely.
When mine was found to be the cancer, everyone was shocked, so it must not be common.

fullofbeans · 05-13-2010, 08:40 AM

thanks again, I know I am not being cool at all. but it is in my nature never been a calm and collected person, alas.

michka, no it is not a stupid question and yes hard to get a pet scan here, unfortunately. And they are not so reliable I suppose in anycase (from what I see from this site but i may be wrong). but as suggested by StephN I should see if they can organise an ultrasound.

Sheila: first thanks for you experience it sounds stupid but i actually had not considered that it could be mets to the supraclavicular nodes only. I only thought that it could be a sign of malignancy for other places such as the lung... but yes these are on the same side as the cancer.. how does that work do you just have the mets in nodes? how come it cannot be removed by cutting off the nodes..(I am sure it is terribly very stupid question but know nothing about it and seem little easy accessible info..)

when you noticed the node(s) how big were they and how quickly did they grow? Also did you have a sore throat (feel like my neck nodes are tender aswell) so i guess that is why I never considered just supraclavicular node only but as I do not know the symptoms: do you simply have enlarged nodes (and hoarseness)? would the node not need to be big to affect voice box?

Sheila · 05-13-2010, 08:52 AM

FullofBeans
The first time I noticed the lump, it was tender, about the size of a small grape. 3 nodes were removed, all the breast cancer (mets). I was then able to receive herceptin, as i had mets (I was originally Stage 1, clean nodes). This occured 1 1/2 yrs after original diagnosis. Herceptin kept things in check for a year or more, then they started growing again....that was when chemos were added...they would disappear, then come back, chemo change, they would go away...etc. The hoarseness came after a bout of pneumonia, lots of coughing...but when it didnt go away, a CT of the neck revealed enlarged metastatic nodes pressing on the Left vocal cord. This has caused vocal cord paralysis on the left side, so i sound like I have a Minnie Mouse voice....
anyway, I never had a sore throat through any of this...if you have more than one node swollen, or on both sides, even more than 1 on one side, it can be from a sore throat, infection etc. Try not to worry, even IF it was something, treatment will keep it in check.....I have been fighting nodes for 7 years!!!
Thinking of you, I know how hard this is, believe me!

fullofbeans · 05-13-2010, 11:34 AM

Thanks for info Sheila, looks like I will have to be patient and perhaps wait another week and try to forget about it (yeah right) and since I have a sore throat if it is bad news i think it is more likely to be a lung thing as oppose to a localised supra mets.. although they could be unrelated. The problem is that everything I read does not mention infection as a possibility..this is really unsettling me..

I know that all of you understand all too well what waiting feels like and I can be a bit obsessive as oppose to go into denial..

Jackie07 · 05-13-2010, 04:40 PM

Fullofbeans,

I had a similar scare last year when I was so sure that I had met to the right side of my neck (the same side of my breast cancer)

The family doctor ordered severak kinds of scans and never told me anything except that "it's(the MRI) fine, but I'd like you to see the neurosurgeon."

It wasn't until this spring when I bugged my oncologist about it. The I was told that I had cervical vertebrae degeneration. (the neck problem) And I did have two brain tumors (not BC related)that had enlarged.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.l

Nancy L · 05-17-2010, 07:36 AM

As far as I have been able to determine, there are only a couple of women on this site, including me, who have had their breast cancer return to neck nodes. Dr. Slamon told me it is rare but it does happen.

My breast cancer was in my left breast, but it returned in the nodes of my right neck. I don't want to scare you but your hoarseness may mean the swollen node is pressing against your vocal cord. In my case, the vocal cord became paralyzed. I suggest you do a search on this site for neck nodes and read the discussions if you want to learn more. I would also be happy to talk to you about my experience if you have questions. Please just send me an e-mail.

fullofbeans · 05-17-2010, 04:02 PM

Thanks Nancy for your reply.

I have now noticed that I have another supraclav nodes enlarged (just next to the first one) and both are still quite small (<1cm). How big were your nodes when you noticed recurrence? and were they tender? and how quickly were they growing or were they more than 1cm when you first noticed them/it? did you just have one node..? did they spread to other supraclav node or just keept one growing alone?

sorry million of questions for you and Sheila. (not sure what a small grape is would you say over 1cm?)

My throat is still sore so I am clinging to that although I am struggling to see how I can have an infection and no fever and other sign of malaise apparently supraclav not really link with throat so very confused. I don't have any sputum and no cough.

StephN · 05-17-2010, 10:02 PM

Stick with it - make them give you an ultrasound. This needs to be checked out.

Have you had your throat looked at by a professional? Maybe a culture taken? I think there are other conditions that can cause a sore throat.

Do you still have your tonsils?

Is it possible you may have mononeucleosis? That is what I had and my nodes swelled, I had sore throat, tired, but no congestion or sputum.

Get a complete blood count.

fullofbeans · 05-18-2010, 05:25 AM

StephN,

You are right I will demand a ultrasound at the minimum.

I spoke to the registrar this morning and I am being seen at 11am tomorrow. I asked what was the point of seeing her instead of going straight for the ultrasound she said that they had to see me before being sent for an ultrasound (I know this is not true) but I will go along with the flow and make them give me an ultrasound. She said that the fact that the first one did not grow more since the 5th May is good.. but I really don't think that the appearance of the second one is good..she said it is still very likely to be an infection.

yes I still have my tonsils. Don't think it is mono because except for the worry which is bringing me down and sucking up my energy, I am not feeling very tired. But my neck is quite sore on the right side particularly which is why I have managed to wait for 3 weeks so far since it actually appeared. But the more I read about it the more I think it is ridiculous to make me wait.

ElaineM · 05-18-2010, 10:21 AM

You should definitely be tested. Good luck. I have my fingers crossed that you find out what is going on.
Take care.

schoolteacher · 05-18-2010, 12:22 PM

Full of Beans'

Hope you hear the results of the ultrasound soon.

Amelia

Ellie F · 05-18-2010, 01:05 PM

Good luck full of beans. I have an appointment at the same time. Who knows we may pass in the clinic.

Ellie

Laurel · 05-18-2010, 05:57 PM

Good luck and best wishes for good news for both of you!

fullofbeans · 05-18-2010, 07:37 PM

Thank you all for your best wishes.
More soon

fullofbeans · 05-19-2010, 10:02 AM

Ultrasounds:

I have three right supraclavicular lymph node enlarged max 0.7cm (can only feel 2), few prominent left ones. they took a FN biop and will get the results tomorrow. They have pre-emptively booked me for the CT scans in case the test come back positive (which by now they expect it will from the ultrasound reports).

Now I have the night and the morning to wait for the results and I need not tell you how I feel. thank you for your good wishes i appreciate them. i feel strngely calm as in the eye of the storm.

StephN · 05-19-2010, 11:21 AM

Dear Beanie -

That is the pits. But your feeling of "strange calm" is always what I have felt once the question was answered, no matter the answer.

As has been said here a thousand times, it is the NOT knowing, wondering stage that has us tied in knots.

Once we have some confirmation we can either relax or form a plan. You know that you have plenty of options, and it is not the first time Herceptin as monotherapy might let the cancer grow.

Is it the node you can't feel that is causing the hoarse voice?

Glad you stuck to your guns and did not let them put you off another month.

Lien · 05-19-2010, 01:02 PM

Dear Fullofbeans,

Oh Yikes! You must be so scared. But it still could be B9! Let's see what the biopsy tells you. My friend was told she had lung mets, but when they did the surgery, they found it was b9. It can happen. I hope you will be fine.

Sending lots of hugs

Jacqueline

05-19-2010, 03:31 PM

Hi Fullofbeans,
Sorry you are going through this again........hope you get good news tomorrow x

Lien,
I noticed you are taking mistletoe..........are you injecting it? Is there anyone else having mistletoe (iscador) therapy?

Laurel · 05-19-2010, 04:22 PM

Ok, that sucks, but perhaps there is less storm than the radar shows. I will continue to pray for no invasion. I do want to express my admiration for your courage. Way to ride tall in the saddle! Please let us know what the needle bx shows.