Explore our cancer forum today for extensive online resources, patient feedback and related information about cancer diagnosis issues. Research forum topics online at CancerCompass.com. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/cancer-diagnosis/1,0,124.htm Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My name is Christian Washburn and I am a doctorate student at California School Professional Psychology (CSPP) Alliant, Sacramento.  I am doing my dissertation on coping and cancer with newly diagnosed cancer patients.  To participate you need to be: * Six months diagnosis and less* 18 years and older* Any type of cancer is acceptable The survey will take you about 15 minutes.  You can enter a raffle with the possibility to win one of two $50 or have the money donated to a cancer organization.To do the survey online please go here: https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=131951 Thank you!  I very much appreciate your time!Christian Washburn, M.A.Coping.cancer @gmail.com http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,41637,0.htm Copingwithcancer Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT My mother was diagnosed 2 days ago with a malignant tumor on her tonsils and at least one lymph node affected on her initial visit to an ENT. During that visit she was told that her tumor was inoperable (it would be too disforming) and the preferred method of treatment was radiation & chemo. She is scheduled on Monday to be "put under" for exploratory surgery (laryngoscopy, etc) & a biopsy for definite diagnosis & staging. As I do research I'm finding that people who have been through this have their tonsils removed during their initial exploratory surgery and then, later, undergo radiation along with chemo. I can't seem to find any cases where the tonsils are not removed. My mother & I were planning on getting a 2nd opinion on treatment AFTER the initial testing and definitive diagnosis was given. But as I gather information, I wonder if we should investigate further getting her tonsils removed this Monday while she is under anesthesia or cancelling her surgery altogether and getting a 2nd opinion first. Time is of the essence as the tumor is growing quickly and it's getting difficult to swallow. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,41499,0.htm ReneeR Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT My husband was diagnosted with stage3 tonsilliar cancerin Nov,08. The tonsil was surgically removed, chemo started..then radiation as well as more biological(Erbitux) therapy. 1st post therapy PET & CT were clear in August. Now 2 months later after continous complaints about the sore throat, fatigue & increased dryness the ENT found a spot in the tonsilliar area that is suspectious & scheduled a biospy for Wed 11/10. We had recieved such a positive outlook from the oncology team that we never really thought about re-occurance. Not really prepared. The cancer had travelled into 3 lymph nodes at the orginal diagnosis & we even considered the neck dissection. We were convinced that this was not the best treatment choice & trusted the team of professionals who treat this everyday? Any advice? Really scared! Also, how often to they see a lesion for biospy & it is negetive? Please pray for this man that I adore to have the courage & strength to keep fighting this ugly disease. Thanks http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,41405,0.htm brenda40 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT I'm 22 and I've only been dipping close to a year and I've recently began to get soar throats and just the right Lymph Node on my neck is swelling up. I ignored it and just stopped dipping until the soar throat went away and the Lymph Nodes went down however it's happening in closer intervals now, maybe once a week. My throat gets scratchy then my right lymph node begins to swell again. I'm quiting now, for good. It's only been a year but already it's so hard. Is the lymph node and soar throats something I should be worried about? I don't have any health inssurance so I don't want to go see a doc about just to be turned out of the room and hear that, "You're fine, just quit now". I'm worried. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,41354,0.htm wadet87 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone gone to a Cancer Treatment Center facility and gone through their 10 week chemo-therapy treatment and all along you are being told that the cancer is getting better then at the 10 week mark they do some final scans and the word is that they have 90% of the cancer under control but need to do surgery to get the last 10%?  This is the situation my wife went through at the Philadelphia Center and feel that this is a standard line given to patients that in actuality have a terminal cancer but CTCA goes ahead and does an unecessary surgery just for the insurance monies.  This sounds harsh but I know at least one other patient, from the Pittsburgh area, had the same story told to them as it was told to my wife and myself. Please let me know if you know anyone that had a similar situation at any of the Cancer Treatment Centers around the United States.  Thanks.   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,41115,0.htm georgem5 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi all, Thanks in advance for reading my post . any insights you can give would be incrediably helpful. well Like the subject says i can't seem to get a diagnoisis and i am a bit worried i have cancer. I've been through three doctors so far and none seem to take my symptoms seriously, they always say well your too young or your over reacting or its your anxiety disorder.  Everything was fine for me up till the first week In August. I developed some sort of rash that gave me extremely itchy skin the doctor called it dermatitis and sent me home, till this day i scratch myself to the point of bleeding in certain areas.  a few weeks later a mass amount of lumps developed in my stomach area, the doctor felt one called it a lipoma and that was that. I did eventially get a Ct scan for it by going to emergency and complaining about it. the abdominal Ct scan came out clear it didn't even register the bumps even though they are obviously there. no further evaluation was done. And now i have a mouth/throat thing going for at least a month and a half. ulcerations in my mouth on both sides, enflamed lymph nodes and a sever soreness in my lower jaw/neck area. Then today a ringing started in my left ear and hasn't stopped yet :( brain tumor maybe? i'm not so sure that it wouldn't be.  I am pretty scared and feeling alone right now. I have no clue where to turn should i try to get into see an oncologist of some sort? so far everyone i called works off referall only :(  should i just try to get another GP Doctor till i find one that will at least take my concerns seriously.  Sorry about the long post i think i just needed to vent a little. i Guess what i am asking is it always this hard to get a diagnosis? is there some easier way around this that i just don't know about? Any input would be appreciated.     http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,41011,0.htm Nichole Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT anyone else out there with CML... I was diagnosed Aug of 09, on Gleevec 400mg QD, 33 years old. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40976,0.htm ChiefsFan Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT HI i have brain cancer  cns lymphoma would like to talk to others Thanks LuLu http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40974,0.htm lulu5 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT I have been thru alot of Dr.s just trying to get a diagnosis for all of my symptoms to no avail.  Finally an E.R. Dr. told me that I had symptoms of having Multiple Myeloma and that I needed testing.  My Dr. is dragging her feet.  She didn't think the blood protein levels were high enough to be tested.  I have been on two courses of Prednisone within a months time and now my symptoms are returning.  I am desperate at this point.  I will go anywhere just to get a diagnosis.  I have been symptomatic for several years but it has been unrelenting since Feb. of this year.  I have considered going to the Mayo clinic or down to Huntsman.  Any suggestions?  Thank You.  http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40858,0.htm TiredWarrior Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi all, just had a PET/CT scan on my Renel Cell cancer and the reusults showed 7 cancerous nodes.The nodes are as follows: 1 is not FDG avid                                      2 are mildy FDG avid                                      2 are moderately FDG avid                                and 2 are intensely FDG avid.Can anyone explain what the different uptakes mean. Are they new and growing, are the low uptake ones dying and becoming necrotic (this was a comment on a previous CT scan.Any advice is welcome as my oncologist is new to PET/CT and wouldn't comment.cheers Tim   http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40871,0.htm Timmy_Tucker Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT I have recently been diagnosed with Clear Cell Sarcoma.  The tumor was near my big toe on my left foot.....does anyone have any information on this?  I cannot find much on the net.... I see the oncologist today......any info would be great appreciated. ThanksMIke http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40826,0.htm mikeg2 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Thank you for taking out the time to read my posting.This whole entire year has been a horrible experience for me.In March of 2009, I thought that I was anemic b/c I was feeling severely weak and tired. So I went to get my routine bloodwork done, and it turned out that I had mono. (Epstein Barr Virus). I was so alarmed by this that I immediately scheduled an annual with my OB-GYN. This followed with receiving an abnormal pap smear. I then got a colposcopy and was told that I have HPV. I then got a biopsy and was diagnosed with moderate-servere dysplasia. My MD at the time wanted me to get the cone biopsy, but I told her that I am not comfortable with this procedure and explained that I will hold off for half a year, to see if my cells reformat.I am 25 years old. My father passed away when I was 17 from bone marrow/lympatic/lung cancer. It completely broke my heart to see someone I love so much wither away from this horrible disease. Now all of these sad memories are being reawakened by what I am going through.So, in a nutshell...I was hoping that after 6 months of babying my immune system, that I would get normal results. I moved and found a new MD, and then in September got all my tests completed. Well, turns out that it advanced to full blown severe dysplasia.I am scheduled to have my LEEP Biopsy next week on the 22nd. I am so scared, and I do not have much support. I already had my consultation in which we discussed the possible complications that can occur, and the long term effects as well. I am crying as I write this b/c I have no one and no where to turn to. The good thing is that my boss is being semi-understanding and granted me a week off from work for after the procedure.  I am wondering if any of you can offer any advice or information that will calm me down. My stress is effecting my sleep habits. I am having major anxiety to the point of attacks. Any insight would make a world of a difference. Thank you. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40664,0.htm BlissfulYoga Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi my name is steve and my wife, who is 53 just received news from her dr. that she has this mgus.   never ever heard of it before.her blood levels of protein was a bit high.  he sent her to a specialist who confirmed it with another round of blood tests and wants her to have a bone marrow test in order to make a diagnosis.  she, her name is esther is worried, but i am really worried.  she feels all will be okay, the levels are low.  I am upse as i just lost a 77 year old brother to leukiemia.   My wife, is so young relatively speaking, so nice and kind never hurt a fly, how can this happen out of no where.   i am a special ed. teacher, ready to retire, we are planning a trip to hawaii with some friends this summer, when we heard about this mugus thing.  im 59, look and act much younger, constantly work out, as does my wife, but mainly walking for aerobics.  we watch what we eat, don't smoke or drink, except on  an occasion.i can't sleep well at night thinking about all this.  esther feels all will be okay, says "i will beat it." "my Levels are low".  the bone marrow test will be on november 27th,  wish us luck. thanks for listeningwe are in sheepshead bay, brooklyn ny http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40595,0.htm alpha1016 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT My dad just found out that he has two spots on his liver and one spot on his colon. He is going for a colonosopy (sp?) tomorrow. He his 44 and I am really scared that he has cancer. Could these spots be cancer? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40606,0.htm taylern Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Please respond to my outcry of what to expect during my ex-husbands demise from bile duct cance.  He is on hospice and doing o.k. At the present. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40521,0.htm co5030flowers Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT In 2005 I self diagnosed that I had Irritable bowel Syndrom. I confirmed this premise by computer. Luckily I have a very persuasive wife who insisted that I consult a doctor. After a scan I was told the I have full house. Bowel, liver, lung and throat cancers. OOops! Immediately I was whisked in hospital for bowel resection. After 5 hours and 9.5 litres of blood I was finished. I then had the throat cancer removed. This was followed by keyhole surgery for the liver. The lung spot had not grown or change during the time it took for Five ops. I popped the main wound staples by picking somethin heavy to lift. Ex Army macho man didn't want my wife lifting things.I was tested clear of all cancer activity for two years, then after a routine blood test the annoncement was inoperable liver cancers. I decided to accept Xolada chemo theraphy, in addition I started taking apricot kernels, rich in cyanide. The cell count in the following three weeks went from 39 to 29, then in the following 3 weeks down to 9. I asked the doctor whether or not the rapid decline was due to the combination of chem and nuts and recieved a angry responce. Now I'm coming to the end of the chemo. What to do? It will depend on the xrays whether or not I increase the apricot intake or resort to prayer. I do give thanks to God as I have had no reaction to the chemo and actually I feel fitter than I have been for many years. My 79th birthday is only five weeks away. I will not accept that I won't see 80. or 90 A steady active, and both mental and physical life outlook is quite a powerful aid against the cancers. I will respond to any emails and try and give comfort to any suffering from this horrible scourge. Rick http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40468,0.htm old_monty Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi all.... I'm new here and am hoping to find some information and peer prognosis.  25 years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a radical mastectomy done.  She was clear for 14 years, then she wound up with cancer in the other breast and had another radical.  Now fast forward to now, she had complained about a pain in her stomach and rib cage area for several months so her doctor decided to run some tests.  The breast cancer had metastasized to the rib cage bones..... 7 weeks worth of testing later and they decided that it was cancer but now it had pretty much covered her entire skeletal system but her organs were clear. They started her on Femara for 8 weeks, then it was back for a CT Scan, MRI and bloodwork.  She now had a spot on her liver but her lungs and kidneys were still clear.  They switched her to Faslodex for 7 weeks then tested again, now she has a spot on her chest wall and the liver spot was slightly bigger but they say the major organs are still clear.  She is now going to undergo two rounds of Xeloda Oral, 2 weeks on, 1 week off and another 2 weeks, then back yet again for tests. My mother is 86 years old and has Osteoporosis so her skeletal system is already compromised and at her age I'm very concerned with how she will react to the Xeloda and the horrible side effects.  Has anyone here been through anything like this and if so how was the reaction and what are the odds of her surviving this.  My heart says her odds are not so good but as long as she is willing to fight I'm going to fight with her.  Any info, thoughts or stories would be very much appreciated. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40477,0.htm ColtsFan Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT I,m 57 yrs. old. In April 2009 was diagnosed with prostate cancer, psa was 3.5, GS was 6. Started on alternative treatment of 6,000 mg of vitamin C, selinium, vit. A, E, B12, B-complex, Magnesium, Manganese, Zinc, Pancreatin Enzymes,etc. Also Budwig Diet and sometimes seeds. Completely changed my diet to fruits and veggies. No sugar, animal protien or carbs. Had a PSA test done in July. Results were 2.2. Had another PSA test done in October. Results were 1.7. Should I have another biopsy done now or should i wait and watch the PSA. Also am I getting a masked psa level due the above treatment, or does the lower psa results indicate that the cancer cells are dying? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40485,0.htm DELTA_1 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Has anyone had cancer treatments at the Colorado Hematology - Oncology cancer center for breast cancer?  I was wondering about the quality of their care and treatments.  www.denvercanercare.com. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40244,0.htm vtechad Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT Hi there,  I am also new to this message board.  My husband who is 56 years old was diagnosed wtih stage II rt. tonsil cancer back in August 09.  He had the rt. tonsil removed and rt. neck dissection done on August 10th.  He did wonderful from the surgery.  He was in pain but he made it through like a champ.  He just had his second radiation treatment today.  He had his first chemo treatment of 220mg of Cisplatin in 1,000 cc's of fluid.  So far so good.  No nausea at all.  We saw the radiation doc today and he is sooooo wonderful.  He said if the nausea gets here and gets bad he will get him Merinol.  I'm not sure of that spelling but it's the marijuana pill.  It will increase his appetite, help pain if there is any and help the nausea.  Our team of doctors treating him are A one.  I feel that, that really helps in the patient's treatment and getting well.  I am an ER nurse and I am here for anything my husband needs.  We will get through this together.  I know he will have some rough days but his attitude is just unreal.  So positive in every way.  Reading some of these messages has been so helpful aready.  We have a ten year old son and two dogs.  I plan on taking him to almost every treatment that I can.  I work nights.  He does have a peg tube also.  I am glad he got it and when and if the time comes that we will need it, it will be there.  We are just taking one day at a time and trusting this whole thing to God.  His pet scan after the surgery a few weeks later was negative.  My husband was also a non smoker and occasionally drinks beer.  He found it one day at the dinner table by touching the right side of his neck.  He said he felt a lump.  He went to his doc right away and was put on two different kinds of antibiotics.  As a nurse I just knew it was going to turn out to be cancer.  I see so much cancer being a nurse.  My husband just retired in Feb. so at least he doesn't have to worry about getting back to a job.  He can take his time and heal.  I pray that everyone on this message board will be healed.  You truly have to have faith.  It's so nice to be able to talk to other people with the same exact thing that we are going through.  Good luck to everyone on this message board that is going through this.  It's not fun. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40262,0.htm neats59 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT I've  been diagnosed with Complex Endometrial Hyperplasia with Atypia, but i'm 27 and would like to have a baby. Is it too risky to try the drug treatment and get pregnant before i have the historectomy? http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,40189,0.htm Sariesonskyn Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT im due to start chemo 2nd oct 09, is anybody in the same position or has been there , im so so worried im 55 yrs, dont know which way to turn,  thank you for reading my message i live in the uk xx http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39992,0.htm leahjoe Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT I got a CT scan of my Abdomen today after 2 masses were found by Ultrasound on my liver. I am not to thrilled with how the test went. Please let me know if this is normal! My test literally took 5 minutes once I got into the room. I drank barium before hand. When I got into the room he placed a IV. He put me through the machine for scans for literally one minute....he had me hold me breath 2 different times. Then he came into the room and Placed the dye. The machine was still pumping it into my arm when he put me through the scan again for literally a minute. I feel like it took for short of time and am hoping he got the pics needed. He said CT scans are fast and MRI's take time. I am used to CT scans taking A LOT longer then this. He said I got scanned from my chest to my hips. I am so upset!! Do these tests really take no time at all??Thanks! http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39979,0.htm 2twins Sat, 19 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT two weeks ago  my mother broke her femur, she was rushed to the hospital and had a pin put in.  the only real information that has been relayed to me since i am 500 miles away has come from my mom and sister.  they seem either to be unable to process the medical insight given to them by mom's caretakers, or they refuse to accept it.  this is what i have gathered and or gleaned:  they biop'd her femur and she has bone cancer.  docs say that she has cancerous lesions thru-out entire body on all internal organs, even spleen.  docs say that it is from breast cancer that has matastized to her lungs and liver (and bones).  doc has located a growth along the channel between kidney and bladder.  mom had lumpectomy, at that time doc says she would have taken more, but there was not a plastic surgeon present-she also said that she may go back in, but will need to arrange plastic surgeon.  they went to release her from the hospital without the radical mastectomy, i insisted and she was more than happy to do the second surgery.....  from this i am pretty sure that she is stage 4, but maybe 3b or 3c?  her first oncology appt is next week and i have a feeling that even tho the doc will be frank with her, she won't accept that she has cancer, which may mean that she won't take the chemo seriously.  Oh, the oncologist did tell mom that the chemo treatments will take about two years.  please help me get some insight, or let me know if i am possibly wrong and the stage could be one or two. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39936,0.htm jackjack Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT I have had colonoscopies for the last four years. The last one two months ago showed a cancer in the cecum. which had breached the colon wall but had not reached the lymph nodes. Just wondering if this should have been found earlier. I realize cancer in the cecum might be difficult to detect still I wonder if I received competent care. http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,39564,0.htm donmac Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT