› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Possible Problem after Stable Scans-Need Advice
- This topic has 18 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 5 months ago by
James from Sydney.
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- August 15, 2011 at 4:50 pm
So a few weeks ago I posted joyously that I had stable scans again, almost four years post-Stage IV diagnosis. This weekend I noticed that I have a swelling in my right groin which I know may prove to have nothing to do with melanoma, but then again it may. First action this morning was to get on the phone with my doctor's office, I have an appointment tomorrow at 3PM. I know this is a very rapid response to my concern, but I really, really, really wanted to have him check it out today!
So a few weeks ago I posted joyously that I had stable scans again, almost four years post-Stage IV diagnosis. This weekend I noticed that I have a swelling in my right groin which I know may prove to have nothing to do with melanoma, but then again it may. First action this morning was to get on the phone with my doctor's office, I have an appointment tomorrow at 3PM. I know this is a very rapid response to my concern, but I really, really, really wanted to have him check it out today!
So because I have to research everything before I walk into my oncologist's office (that is just who I am), I am wondering what would be a reasonable course of action for him to take, given a stable CT scan two weeks ago.My onc is a generalist at Kaiser SF and he is an excellent oncologist, but not a melanoma specialist. Whenever I have a specific concern/question I pay out of pocket to see Dr. Daud at UCSF's melanoma clinic, and I am trying to get an appointment with him for later this week.
Any thoughts? Would a PET scan be next? Perhaps an ultrasound of the the right groin to see if there is actually a swollen node there? If there is, a biopsy? I may have to push my Kaiser doc to be aggressive with this one, although with the FDA approval of ipi (I will never remember the name they are now marketing the drug under) I may have better luck at getting him to order what I think needs to be done since he now has a treatment option for me!
Thanks to everyone for your good wishes after my scan results. Hopefully I can post again in a few weeks that this swollen groin think was a false alarm, but if not I am ready to fight the fight and beat melanoma down once again!!!!
Eileen L
Stage IV
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- August 15, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Eileen,
No info as to your next step, as mine is scalp/neck. Just didn't want you to feel lonely with no responses.
Yervoy is ipi's name. 🙂
Best of luck, may it all be something simple and NOT melanoma. We are here for you, no matter what.
Congratulations on getting a quick appointment with your doctor, although I know the next 24 hours will feel like about 240 while you wait.
Prayers for good news tomorrow, and in the days to come.
TracyLee
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- August 15, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Eileen,
No info as to your next step, as mine is scalp/neck. Just didn't want you to feel lonely with no responses.
Yervoy is ipi's name. 🙂
Best of luck, may it all be something simple and NOT melanoma. We are here for you, no matter what.
Congratulations on getting a quick appointment with your doctor, although I know the next 24 hours will feel like about 240 while you wait.
Prayers for good news tomorrow, and in the days to come.
TracyLee
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- August 15, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Hi Eileen,
Hopefully the groin swelling is nothing to be concerned with.
When I was diagnosed with melanoma, I had a swollen lymph node in my groin and it was quite big. My Dr. biopsied it right there in her office and it came back negative. She thought there was an error and did another biopsy and it came back negative as well. I ended up with 1 lymph node with melanoma, but this swollen node was actually doing it's job to keep it from swelling.
There are many reasons why it could be swollen – not necessarily melanoma. It would seem logical for them to biopsy the node to determine if it's anything at all. No use putting you through more scans considering you had clear scans 2 weeks ago. PETscan would only pick up something if it was larger and if it was something, I'm thinking it would have shown up as something on the CT.
Best of luck! Here's to continued years of NED!
Lisa
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- August 15, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Hi Eileen,
Hopefully the groin swelling is nothing to be concerned with.
When I was diagnosed with melanoma, I had a swollen lymph node in my groin and it was quite big. My Dr. biopsied it right there in her office and it came back negative. She thought there was an error and did another biopsy and it came back negative as well. I ended up with 1 lymph node with melanoma, but this swollen node was actually doing it's job to keep it from swelling.
There are many reasons why it could be swollen – not necessarily melanoma. It would seem logical for them to biopsy the node to determine if it's anything at all. No use putting you through more scans considering you had clear scans 2 weeks ago. PETscan would only pick up something if it was larger and if it was something, I'm thinking it would have shown up as something on the CT.
Best of luck! Here's to continued years of NED!
Lisa
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- August 15, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Hi Eileen,
I just read your profile and you stated:
"The first thing Dr. Mark Rennekar, did was make some suggestions for my supplement regime. Am now taking a green tea extract/mushroom combo, 10 grams of Omega 3, 8,000 mg curcumin, and 5.000 IU of Vitamin D on a daily basis. "
Are you still taking ALL these supplement. Are you still see Dr. Rennekar for review of supplements, etc. Are you taking any different supplements these days?
Please try not to worry if you can. Wishing you good news. Thanks for our reply to my questions about supplements.
denise
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- August 15, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Hi Eileen,
I just read your profile and you stated:
"The first thing Dr. Mark Rennekar, did was make some suggestions for my supplement regime. Am now taking a green tea extract/mushroom combo, 10 grams of Omega 3, 8,000 mg curcumin, and 5.000 IU of Vitamin D on a daily basis. "
Are you still taking ALL these supplement. Are you still see Dr. Rennekar for review of supplements, etc. Are you taking any different supplements these days?
Please try not to worry if you can. Wishing you good news. Thanks for our reply to my questions about supplements.
denise
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- August 15, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Thanks for your encouragement Denise.
A number of months ago I stopped my supplements because I was getting a lot of gastrointestinal pain. I have been meaning to get them restarted by trying them one by one, but haven't gotten around to it. Now I will wait until this pesky groin thing gets sorted before doing anything else!
I am no longer seeing Dr. Rennekar. I saw him really more as a consult. I did review my supplements with another physician who has an interest in complementary therapy about six months ago, who thought the regime looked ok.
Best,
Eileen
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- August 15, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Thanks for your encouragement Denise.
A number of months ago I stopped my supplements because I was getting a lot of gastrointestinal pain. I have been meaning to get them restarted by trying them one by one, but haven't gotten around to it. Now I will wait until this pesky groin thing gets sorted before doing anything else!
I am no longer seeing Dr. Rennekar. I saw him really more as a consult. I did review my supplements with another physician who has an interest in complementary therapy about six months ago, who thought the regime looked ok.
Best,
Eileen
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- August 15, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hey there Eileen.
An ultrasound would seem to be in order. They are quick, no waiting, can be done in the docs office, immediate readings and much more accurate than ever before.
Probably a FNA ,depending on the ultrasound.
Then perhaps some selective surgical "plucking" to get that puppy out and under the capable eyes of a dermapath.
And just in case, never hurts, that if surgery is an option, to ask about preserving some tissue for later purposes.
You being the smart cookie that you are, you know how tricky and deceptive lymph nodes can be, so you are wise to work the problem
Ipilimumab is now named Yervoy.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- August 15, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Hey there Eileen.
An ultrasound would seem to be in order. They are quick, no waiting, can be done in the docs office, immediate readings and much more accurate than ever before.
Probably a FNA ,depending on the ultrasound.
Then perhaps some selective surgical "plucking" to get that puppy out and under the capable eyes of a dermapath.
And just in case, never hurts, that if surgery is an option, to ask about preserving some tissue for later purposes.
You being the smart cookie that you are, you know how tricky and deceptive lymph nodes can be, so you are wise to work the problem
Ipilimumab is now named Yervoy.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- August 15, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Eileen,
I hate to hear of these issues, especially after your stable scans.
A few months ago I had a bil that developed a lump in his groin. Ended up being fatty tissue. I know he didn't have a cancer background but it happens! Then 4 days into my radiation I developed a lump very close to the incision. They did a PET/CT showed nothing, a fna-was clear, then they still biopsied – fatty tissue. I hope your results are like mine. In the past I've also had ultrasounds to help. THis one they could see and feel so I'm thinking that's why they skipped that step.
Push that Dr!!
Sending hugs,
Linda
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- August 15, 2011 at 9:42 pm
Eileen,
I hate to hear of these issues, especially after your stable scans.
A few months ago I had a bil that developed a lump in his groin. Ended up being fatty tissue. I know he didn't have a cancer background but it happens! Then 4 days into my radiation I developed a lump very close to the incision. They did a PET/CT showed nothing, a fna-was clear, then they still biopsied – fatty tissue. I hope your results are like mine. In the past I've also had ultrasounds to help. THis one they could see and feel so I'm thinking that's why they skipped that step.
Push that Dr!!
Sending hugs,
Linda
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- August 16, 2011 at 7:57 am
Hi Eileen
hopefully its just a false alarm, however i think if node is swollen then do a biopsy. I remember Michael had what appeared to be a swollen node under his skin and the Ultrasound Doctor said it was clear and most likely a Sebaceous Cyst. The Melanoma Specialist said it was better to be sure so he took it out in his Clinic and it came back as Mel. So be 100% sure.
fingers crossed
James
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- August 16, 2011 at 7:57 am
Hi Eileen
hopefully its just a false alarm, however i think if node is swollen then do a biopsy. I remember Michael had what appeared to be a swollen node under his skin and the Ultrasound Doctor said it was clear and most likely a Sebaceous Cyst. The Melanoma Specialist said it was better to be sure so he took it out in his Clinic and it came back as Mel. So be 100% sure.
fingers crossed
James
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