Is This Correct?

My father recently was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  We have to wait till the 3rd of Jan. for body CT Scan.  When they initially sent his tumor for more testing, we were told they could not rule out plasmacytoma.  Is Multiple Myeloma a form of lymphoma.

Please let me know.

 

 

MM is not a form of lymphoma.  How was he diagnosed?  Lymphoma can be Hodgkin or Non hodgkin.  Plasmacytoma and MM are similar as they are both plasma cell cancers.

A month and 1/2 ago my father was examined by a dentist who noticed puffiness in his left cheek area which did not appear to be directly related to a dental problem.  He developed progressive swelling which necessitated antibiotics.  He has been on a two week course in total.  X-rays showed the left antrum to be problematic with some destruction of the lateral wall.  He says the swellinig in the cheek spontaneously decreased with a gush of foul material from the left cheek area.  He completed a course of Keflex.  Non smoker for many years.  He is otherwise well and can excercise without difficulties.  He had a myocardial infarction three years ago.  He is on Lipitor and Low dose ASA.  Examination:  The ears, TM's and canals are normal.  Endoscopy was performed of the nose and showed obstruction of the left osteomeatal area either due to edema or tissue.  Palpation of the left antral interior wall shows some swelling and tenderness and there is a fistula from the antrum into the left alveolar ridge.  Pressure on the swollen area produces some slight bloody drainage from the opening.  There is normal sensation in the left cheek area.  IMPRESSION:  Destructive lesion left antrum.

IMAGING REPORT:  Cheek Ultrasound and Sinuses Plain Radiograph

The palpable abnormality within the left cheek area corresponds to a slightly ill defined solid mass measuring 2.9 x .3 x 1.1 cms.  This appears to arise out of the left maxillary sinus through a defect in the anterior wall which measures 11 x 6 mm.

Because the lesion appears to be sinus in origin, sinus x-rays were ordered.  They confirm opacification of the left maxillary sinus and ill definition of the medial aspect of the left zygoma which is in keeping with an area of bone destruction.  There is partial opacification of the left ethmoid sinuses.

IMPRESSION:  The findings are most in keeping with a neoplasm arising within the left maxillary antrum with destruction of the anterior wall and extension into the left mid facial region.  Infection is a possibility but is much less likely and an appearance such as this would related to an atypical organism. 

CT Scan (head) was done this passed 3 weeks ago.

Surgery was two weeks ago.  Total surgery time was one and half hours.  He was told there was so much infection that a pathology report was needed before they would know whats going on.  Recovery was 2.5 hours. 

Results from the Pathology report were that they could not rule out a plasmacytoma and needed further testing at head pathology in Vancouver.  We were told by our GP that if it came back anything it would be a plasmacytoma.

It came back and all we were told was my dad had lymphoma Stage IIIA.

I did not know that there were so many types of lymphomas and did not ask the type.  Figured because they could not rule out plasmacytoma (MM), thats what type it was. 

Everything is happening so quickly.  Such a state of Shock we are in.  Whats going on?  What type of questions do we need to ask?  Two more weeks till full body CT Scan...is an eternity when you know you have cancer.  Then it has to be sent to BC Cancer Association in Victoria for treatment and prognosis. 

I have never been so scared in my whole life. 

Anything you can tell me would help.

 

I can't respond to all the medical info that you have given, but my heart goes out to your last paragraph -- 'waiting for two weeks is an eternity'.  The bottom line is that nothing can/will be done for another two weeks and the probability is that nothing will actually happen to him in the next two weeks,.... so - seize the time that you have and enjoy it to the fullest.  Celebrate the holidays as you have never celebrated before, revelling in the caring and sharing of family and friends.  Focus on all that is joyful, make memories that will last forever, and really be happy!!!  Two weeks will fly by, and then you can face whatever is on the cards.  You will never regret wasting these two weeks -- two weeks of sharing these intense loving positive feelings.  Do not think about the worst case scenerio -- that is a total waste of time and will benefit no one.  Focus on all the positives -- those you've had in the past and those you want for the future, and work towards making them happen.  Diagnosis is just the start of a long journey, one that will change your lives forever, and it's up to you to determine what sort of journey it is going to be.  Know that there are a host of members on this board who will be supporting you and your family on the road ahead.  Our thoughts and prayers will be with you for these next two weeks  -- but you have taken the first positive step by coming here!!  Best wishes for a joyful holiday season,  Cath

it sounds like a plasmacytoma because of the location and description.  Plasmacytoma is MM in a single location.  The fact that they told you lymphoma does seem confusing.  See if you can clarify this.  There are 20 or so types of lymphoma. 

You said it!!  We are so confused!  When they told us they could not 100% rule out Plasmacytoma, my thoughts were they ruled out everything else.  So when they told us he had Lymphoma, we were numb!  When looking for information on Lymphoma I know it says it can be a lot of different cancers, I thought maybe Plasmacytoma was one!  Thanks for correcting this for me.

When this has never happened to you, how do you know the questions you should ask?  My dad is booked the beginning of January for full body CT Scan to see if it is anywhere else.  After that to see the oncologist for the full prognosis and treatment....he's 74.

Is there anything you can tell us about Lymphoma?  What questions we should be asking.  I tell you the internet is very scary when you google Nasal Lymphoma, All I see is NK -T Cell Lymphoma (Natural Killer).  Prognosis seems to be poorer over 60? 

I need to be strong for my mom and dad, but I am not a strong person.  I deal with thinigs a lot different!!  I guess I need to know what to expect, so I can deal with it before it happens!  That way I am not a "basket case" around them.

Questions, he suffers terribly from the night sweats, now that he knows its Lymphoma he is not sleeping.  He needs to rest, he is extremely (putting it mildly) exhausted.  Is there something natural that you can suggest to help him sleep.  He does not want to get addicted to sleeping pills. 

Thank you for your responses! 

 

Thanks Cath!

I guess you get so scared of the unknown!  I decorated for Xmas last night, wasn't going to, but I have mom and dad coming.  I just want to make it the best Christmas ever!!!

I am going to do my best to be strong for my dad!! AND mom!!   I am a lot like him, we worry about everything!!  He so scared and I can't stand that!! Trying to live one day at a time!  What a sick feeling you get when faced with something like this!  All I can do, is my best!!  Sometimes I just can't control the tears though.

Pray we get him better!!  Hope you have a great Xmas!

hang in there.  You are doing fine.  Primary sinus lymphoma is an uncommon presentation of lymphoma that carries the potential risk of spreading to the brain.  Usually these are  more agressive lymphomas like a DLBCL.  The good news is because they are agressive , they respond well to treatment.  Treatment with chemotherapy and irradiation can cure many patients and the addition of intrathecal chemotherapy may reduce the risk of CNS relapse.  For OTC sleep aids try an antihistamine (like Benadryl) or melatonin.   See if you can find out the type of lymphoma.

Thank you so much!  I want you to know how much I appreciate you responding to me!

We will not know the type until sometime in the new year.  Body CT Scan on the 3rd of Jan.  then we wait for the appointment with the oncologist 10 days later.

Sure makes me feel better when you say that this aggressive cancer responds well to treatment.  Thats good news!!

Because it is aggressive though, all this time waiting for CT scans and prognosis is valuable wasted time!  I guess they know what they are doing!!

Have a great Christmas, thank you so much, I will get back to you when we have more news.

All the best to you and your family at Christmas!

 

Good on ya Patient's Daughter!!  Getting the decorations out and setting up for the holidays is the best thing you can do for your parents to assist them in dealing with this wait!!  All of you can focus on the joys of the season and try very hard to reduce the worry that you're feeling because of the wait -- you can even do things that you may never have done before like going out to a Carols night or listening to Christmas music together -- making new memories together!  Thank you for your seasons greetings -- we are really looking forward to being together as a family and celebrating the 'first' Christmas of our youngest grandson so it should be magic -- expeically for me as I was told that I would never be here to witness these last couple of years!! ( you don't want to believe everything that you are told!!)   Take good care and enjoy the blessings of the season  -- our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Cath