Normal CT Scan - Could it still be Lymphoma?

sandpuff · New User Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

I'm new here and would appreciate any advice. I have been having long bouts of fatigue for several months and I have several swollen lymph nodes in my groin and a few on my neck. My temperature fluctuates during the day from 97.7 to 99.5 on a digital ear thermometer. I don't know if those fluctuations are normal or not. I finally went to the doctor and she ordered a CT Scan from my neck to pelvis and it was all normal, yet she offered to refer me to an oncologist for my reassurance I guess. I'm not sure what I should do. I would think if the CT scan was normal I wouldn't have anything to worry about, but I also want some answers to why I'm feeling so bad all the time. I have also had some night sweats, although it's been awhile since I've had the more drenching kind. They kind of come & go. My biggest questions is, can you have a normal CT scan and still have Lymphoma? Thank you for reading my post.

megd93 · Regular Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 46

Hi.
Just to give you some backround info about me I'm 13 and was diagnosed with stage 4b hodgkins lymphoma about 10 days ago and I started chemo on Monday. See "kid with swollen lymph nodes" thread.

You should probably go to the oncologist just in case(or just so you stop worrying) but a ct scan should show any problems in the area it is scaning. You could request a PET scan. The cancer lights up on this from the dye if there is and cancer. Also, a cbc could show high white count and low platlets if there is cancer in your bone marrow. If you are still worried you can have the lymph nodes biopsied. I had bone marrow biopsy and several lymph nodes biopsied, it is pretty easy.

Also, temperatures up to 100 can be considered normal. Above 100 it becomes a low grade fever. I had a constant fever of 100.5-101.

I wouldn't worry though, you could be tired from anemia. Did you have any blood tests?
I was diagnosed after going to the doctor for a cough. I had, had nosebleeds, easy bruising, and swollen lymph nodes for a year.
Good Luck

jfkbluecircle

Hi, sandpuff (love that screen name):
I hope you will take the referral and talk to the oncologist. While GPs are usually excellent doctors, an oncologist is trained specifically in the diagnosis, current research, and treatment of cancers. It is important that you listen to your own body; if you feel there is something wrong, there very well could be, and it may not be cancer, but another ailment (chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia, etc.).

Why not go and check the c-word off the list? Wishing you good health,
Jessica

sandpuff · New User Joined: 16 Feb 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for the replies & advice. I called the oncologist I was referred to and amazingly one of my friends happens to be his nurse. I was so thankful to get to talk to her so I could get a little more info. She said they reviewed my CT scans and that I had shotty nodes on my neck that they want to check out. But they hadn't even seen a scan of my pelvis which is where the majority of the nodes are, so I don't know if they even did a scan of that area! Anyhow, she said it's good that I'm coming in and that the doctor is very thorough and good at catching things. I also told her about a hard cyst right under my bellybutton that swells up off & on and she said that should be looked at as well. My appointment is on Friday. I can't wait to get it over with. The fatigue has been really bad the last couple of weeks.

Sandpuff
P.S. I'm glad you like my name, Jessica!

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