Hi all,
I finished treatment in May 2006 - Cisplatn x 3 and IMRT x 35. SCC lateral/rear tongue, too big to operate but no apparent spread to lymph nodes.
Post treatment everything has been clicking along pretty well - good reports at my monthly doc appointments, everything looks ok.
Shortly after one of my monthly appointments I started to notice my sub-mandibular lymph node on the right side was swollen/hard. That's the same side I had the cancer on. Three weeks later when it was time for my next doc appointment, it was still there. About 10 days before my doc appointment I had gotten a sinus infection and was given some antibiotic for that.

When I saw my doc he seemed concerned (maybe I'm reading in) but said it could just be an infection. He told me to keep taking the antibiotics in case it's just an infection, and come back in two weeks. He said if it was still swollen then, he wanted me to get a PET scan. It's been a week and the swelling has not improved at all - the lymph node is still hard as a rock. So, I'll be back in to see him soon and I assume I'll be off shortly thereafter to get a PET scan.

I have searched and had very little success finding info on swollen lymph nodes as a sign of recurrence. I do have some ulceration occuring in the mouth, which he noticed during the exam.

My last PET scan was in October and it was clear - and like I mentioned, no areas of particular concern during subsequent exams. Can recurrence happen that quickly? I know that nobody can answer whether this is a likely recurrence or not, but I am curious to hear from anybody who had a recurrence and how quickly the events happened for you.

thanks
Steve

Hi Steve,

I was operated on originally in Jan 06. The following June my doctor found a swollen lymph node he was not happy with (it was on the same side as the cancer) and he removed it. The node was at the base of my neck, along the scar from the surgery in January. It tested negative for cancer.

Also, I developed a massive ulcer in December which turned out to be just that, an ulcer. Its healing now thanks to HBO treatment.

BTW PET scans can be inaccurate on occasion. I had one in December that indicated problems on the opposite side of my neck, but further investigation (MRI) showed nothing in the area.

So not all stories have bad endings. Please don't stress yourself out and let us know what happens.

Redser

Steve - I want to second what was said above - don't stress yourself out if you can help it, although I know that's easier said than done. I have just gone through a similar experience. I had a partial glossectomy and selective neck dissection in May '06. When I want to MDACC in early Dec for 3 month F/U visit, my dr. found an enlarged lymph node on the same side as my surgery. He said he wasn't "overly concerned" but that if it didn't go away, my dr here in Atlanta should consider an Ultrasound and possible fine needle Bx. In the meantime right after Christmas I developed an ulcer on my tongue. I was SURE my cancer was back... couldn't sleep at night, already trying to plan how I was going to get through this. My dr here wasn't very encouraging either when she did the tongue bx - she said "I don't like the way it feels". Well, long story short both the tongue bx and the fine needle bx I had just last week came back FINE. Needless to say I was relieved.... So I guess I'm posting this for you so you know that it's not necessarily a recurrence, although I understand your concern. FYI, I also had an enlarged lymph node prior to my neck dissection which showed nothing when they took it out - who knows why lymph nodes sometimes enlarge, it could be an immune response to possibly some kind of virus or infection you don't even realize you have...