New to forum, might have cancer

hipchecker6 · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:45 pm Post subject: New to forum, might have cancer

I've been reading the forum for the past week or so, getting as much information as possible. I haven't been diagnosed with lymphoma yet, but my doctor just ruled out a few likely candidates - TB, pneumonia, other infection - he thought would have been causing my symptoms. Symptoms include:
- swollen lymph nodes - I was doing a self examination related to hip problems (I have hip impingement) and noticed swollen lymph nodes in the groin area about 6 months ago. Not sure how long they have been there. Didn't think much about them until I noticed swollen lymph nodes on my neck a month ago.
- night sweats - Have had them for a few years now. I attributed them to anti-depressant meds I was taking. However, they have continued since I stopped taking the meds 6 months ago.
- fatigue - Not sure how long I've been tired, but have noticed a considerable difference in the past few months. Falling asleep at work, very little energy to do any extracurriculars, etc.
- chronic cough - Have had a cough that won't go away for 18 months. Nothing serious, more annoying then anything. And I didn't think much about it until the swollen lymph nodes.
- itchy skin - Had really itching armpits and feet for a while, but no rash or bug bites that would be the source. Itching would come and go. Haven't had it for a while.
- loss of appetite - Have not had much desire to eat for the past few (3 or 4) months. Usually have to force myself to eat. But I haven't lost any weight. Strange. Could be counteracted by low thyroid function.

Did a whole bunch of blood work, PPD test, and chest x-ray. All came back negative. Some of the bloodwork was borderline but he didn't think it was anything to worry about. So he suggested a biopsy. Go for my consult in two weeks.

I'm posting this mostly to get it off of my chest. I haven't told anyone yet because I don't want to worry them. It's probably much more likely that these symptoms are unrelated and I don't have cancer. But out of curiosity, how long can cancer go undetected? Could the night sweats have been an early indication?

brainman

Hi hipchecker6,

I know you have many questions right now and that you are worried. It is good that he will biopsy the lymph nodes. That will provide you with a lot of answers. Your symptoms could be caused by so many things. Night sweats could be signs of some cancers (I think lymphomas but am not sure about that).

I will be thinking about and praying for you in the days ahead.
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mous35 · New User Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 3 Location: uk

hi,
You really shouldn't worry prematurely.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in April this year and had lots of symptoms including night sweats as well as excessive sweating during the day, poor apetite, stomach pains and constipation (the lymph nodes in my stomach were inflamed causing constipation). Although these are classic symptoms of Lympoma there are lots of other conditions that can cause sweating.
When i was diagnosed i hadn't told the doctor about the night sweats as i didn't realise it was relevant but i had probably had these for over a year. (They thought i had crohns as it isn't very common to get inflamed lymph nodes where i had). I was really worried that i had had all these symptoms for a long time and that it wouldn't be as easy to treat. But the doctors keep saying how curable it is and that it doen't make any difference how long you have had symptoms.
Having said this i really think you should wait and see what the results of your biopsy are, it may be nothing.

Good luck for your biopsy. Keep us posted.

hipchecker6

Had a consult with the surgeon regarding my swollen lymph nodes. He's of the opinion they're not swollen. Whew. He suggested a CAT scan to check on the other lymph nodes and for other causes to my symptoms. Probably just a bunch of unrelated symptoms as first suspected.
Thanks for listening.

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