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SilenciumT
New User
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
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 Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:03 pm Post subject: Redundant? |
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I may be asking a redundant question, sorry for that!
I've had have a 'lumb' for the past few years growing on the back of my neck. It was concerning me, and several inquires to (military) PMC's remained fruitless (they kept saying that there was nothing, or that they couldn't palpate anything - bear in mind that depending on your grade/status, you do not get to see a physician). Civilian healthcare is pretty much out of reach due to their refusal to see "medicare" (ergo government/military related patients).
About 3-4 months ago, while I was overseas, the mass started suddenly increasing in size and it became very painfull. After two refusals from the 'insurance' I was able to get an MRI. Some undetermined 'mass' was detected and possible lymphoma etc. (7cm x 4 mm). An Ultrasound biopsy was supposed to be performed, but again, this physician's owned hospital having seen how much of the actual bill was picked up by my tricare from the previous bill (and they can legally not go after me), the radiologist told me outright; if it's nothing, we can't recover the bill (lol).
In any case, my PMC (PMC= primary care provider, and a real good M.D. finally!) ordered an endoscopy.
Questions:
1. Why don't they do bloodwork to rule out Thyroid, infection etc?
2. What is the likelyhood that this may lymphoma etc.?
background:
40+ female
some alcohol abuse
no tabaco or illicit drug abuse
fit and normal weight
inhaled steriod user (prescription)
Last edited by SilenciumT on Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3788
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 11:29 pm Post subject: Re: Redundant? |
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Hi SilenciumT, I am very sorry that you are not receiving the medical care you so richly are owed by all of us. I do know how hard it is to work under the tricare system (I was in the frist Gulf War shortly before my diagnosis).
Yes, others have asked about lumps but I also have the right to ask all of your questions and we will try to answer them or at least be supportive as you try to get answers from your medical team.
Obviously, there is no way for me or anyone else to diagnose you over the Internet. All we can do is attempt to answer your questions.
1. I have no idea why they did not do full blood work on you to rule out an infection. To me, that would seem to be a rather inexpensive test to run that could yield a lot of information. As for Thyroid involvement, I am not sure I see a connection between a lump on the back of your neck and your thyroid which is in the front of your neck.
2. The only way to tell whether it is or is not a lymphoma is to do a biopsy. Keep working through whatever channels you have to in order to get the biopsy done. Write to your congressman or woman asking for them to help. With the VA system being under review, I am sure a congressperson will take up your cause.
The comment made by the radiologist is not only inappropriate but I think it is illegal to deny services on the basis of the patient being under tricare. I might be wrong. I know that was the case under Champus but I do not know very much about Tricare.
Best wishes for Chaplain (CPT) Hawkins.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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effcancer
Regular
Joined: 21 Apr 2007
Posts: 22
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| Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:22 am Post subject: Re: Redundant? |
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the problem with a needle biopsy is that so often it comes back inconclusive. Try to get them to do a surgery biopsy. That way its one test. Not the possibility of two. (if a needle biopsy comes back inconclusive they'd most likely do a surgery biopsy)
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So, this sucks. |
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SilenciumT
New User
Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:28 pm Post subject: hm... :-( |
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"FNA (fine needle aspiration) was least effective at distinguishing lymphoid hyperplasia and chronic inflammation from lymphoma.
Although FNA is 98% specific for the absence of
tumor and 95% sensitive for the presence of tumor
in neck masses, improper diagnosis may be
encountered in patients with lymphoma and
lymphadenitis. |
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