I just had my second PET in 6 months since my latest treatment ended in February. A 1 cm low left axia lymph node had shown up. It has not changed in size but SUV is now 5.4, up from 2 three months ago.

The onclology,radiology and surgeon all concur it's needle biopsy time. I have not had good results with prior FNA as they have always come back negative the first time or two and did not show positive till much later when conditions were much worse. If it is negative, they will just watch for another 3 months until the next PET and I am not comfortable with this.

I have been battling since 2008 and I am running out of treatment options. I have had chemotherapy 3 times, radiation to both sides of my neck and clavicular area, re-irradiation, plus brachytherapy to my tongue.

My latest PET scan indicated all prior surgical areas to be fine! It seems I take care of one area and then it is fine.

I guess I am asking what others have done. My research on here inicated almost all others who have had a left armpit node did turn out to be positive, but there wasn't much posted in the way of treatnment and outcomes.

I am concerned with a few things:
First, needle tracking is what happened with my friend Caco's Father. Can I stir it up if it is encapsulated?
Also, since the size has not increased, but the SUV did, do I act immediately?
I was hoping a doctor would remove just that node as the biopsy instead of the needle biopsy, but they explained they would take many nodes instead of just this one, and I run the risk of lymphedema in my left arm and I am left hand dominant. My other arm is not as it was since the graft and artery was taken for my tongue surgery.
Experience tell me to expect follow up treatment of surgery, chemo, radiation or both if it comes back positive.

I guess it is time to realize now that this will no longer be considered curable.

I realize I am putting the cart before the horse, but I need to try and prepare a game plan of options.
You see, I just returned to work a month after an 8 month absence from the last treatment and I know they won't hold my job for me any longer if I go out again which equates to no more insurance. And I have a wonderful Fiance who just asked me to marry him no matter what! His health insurance will put us financially ruined and I still owe thousands of dollars from prior treatments even with hospital reductions.
We began making wedding plans. We chose a date in June and I have a second hand dress. I am trying to stay as possitive as possible. This is so unfair.....

Thank you for any advice or suggestions.

I have been having trouble posting this and also I was not able to update my signature. I had the total laryngectomy last November.