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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Carey asks

Q: multiple swollen lymph nodes in chest after surgery/chemo/radiation

I was diagnosed with Stage 3 infiltrating dcis her2/neu positive, estrogen/progesterone negative with sentinal node extra capsulary extension on my right side, stage 1 tubular cancer on left. I had a double mastectomy with aggressive chemo, aggressive radiation. I finished all that in december and in january started herceptin. My recent CT shows mulitple enlarged lymph nodes in my chest and neck. The doctor says they are "stabilized", that they were there on my december ct also and they will continue to watch them. I would like to know what could be causing the enlargement and what they are watching for.

I'm 36 years old with 3 children. I want to fight off anything that's coming my way.

Carey 

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5/27/08 4:48pm

Carey, perhaps your lymph nodes are swollen because of the very aggressive treatment you've just undergone. I'm sure the doctor has studied your case thoroughly; sometimes "watchful waiting" is the best course of "action." If (s)he was seriously worried baout more lymph node involvement, I would suspect (s)he would biopsy one or more of the nodes. Next time you see your doctor, why not ask him or her the same question you just asked here? (S)he might be able to set your mind at ease with a detailed explanation of what the "watching and waiting" is about. Good luck to you - PJH

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7/16/09 11:35pm

How long after surgery/chemo/radiation. If it has been a over a year and your start finding multiple swollen lymph nodes ( could this still be caused by radation).

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7/16/09 11:39pm

How long after surgery/chemo/radiation. If it has been a over a year and your start finding multiple swollen lymph nodes ( could this still be caused by radation).

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