Please help reduce my stressing...test results may indicate cancer

Posted by jeremy17 @jeremy17, May 30, 2020

Hello.  40 year old male.  I was just given a report by a radiologist stating that I have extensive hypointense marrow replacement in about half of my tibia, with a heterogeneous signal.  I also have a soft tissue mass of 4cm x 2cm x 1cm abutting the same upper tibia.  He states these findings are concerning for a malignancy, such as lymphoma, or a bacterial infection. 

I have an appointment with an orthopedic oncologist in four days, but I'm seriously stressing and trying to decipher as much of the report as possible in the meantime.  What I really want to know is if there are other outcomes besides cancer, especially since I found an article online stating that bone marrow lesions discovered by MRI's are quite common?

Also, the soft tissue mass can be felt right underneath my kneecap on the outside of my leg, and is painful to the touch.  My understanding is most cancerous tumors are not painful.

Thanks.

Jeremy

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

I hope that the pathologist also considers the possibility of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in examining the biopsy tissue. It is very rare,especially in adults, and consequently can take a long time to be diagnosed. It is slightly more common in children. I have skin only, but it more commonly causes bone lesions. It is a blood disease, but only can be diagnosed with biopsy of lesions. Skin and bones are most common, but lungs, spleen,bone marrow And other systems can be affected.

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@jeremy17

Went to the oncologist yesterday. My Valley Fever result came back right before my appointment, which was negative. After seeing how serious he looked during the appointment, I asked the ortho oncolgist, from his experience, what the odds were that it was cancer. To my surprise, he said 65 percent! 🙁 However, I'm still trying to remain hopeful that it's benign. I have my biopsy tomorrow (talk about quick scheduling!), so I should have tests back by next week.

This is an emotional rollercoaster!

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@jeremy17 I hope it well. Let us know the results. We are here a anytime you need to talk.

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@jeremy17

Thank you Sir for that info. I have an appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday. I was referred to him by my ortho doctors office, due to the report by the radiologist. I have never met him. I've never had any incidence with cancer, so as you can imagine, hearing of this report was very shocking. I understand my father had lung cancer (most likely due to being a longtime smoker, which eventually spread to brain cancer, due to him choosing to not receive proper medical care).

So if you may be willing to share, what type of cancer were you diagnosed with, after the biopsy? I understand your MRI report had some of the same wording as mine? How many cm of your bone marrow was displaced? Is that your tibia, as well? Do you have a soft tissue mass also?

Thanks.

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Good afternoon @jeremy17, I just stopped by this discussion to see how things were going for you. I notice that you had a meeting with your oncologist. How did that go? What did you learn? Was it helpful to have your wife with you to take notes. and what kind of a reception did your list of questions get from the clinician?

In your reply, you asked me some questions. I wanted to make sure and get back to you after my appointment. Also, I wanted to clarify my sentence about having the same words on both your report and mine. I was referring to standard terms like malignant, benign, tissue, cell, carcinoma, etc. My symptoms are not the same as yours.

So here is mine.
Diagnosis: Invasive well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Essentially, this means that the tumor that connects with my sternum is malignant. The first step is another surgical procedure next week to make sure everything is removed. Then there will be more tests after healing and some thought about continued prevention if required. So I will probably be doing some treatment research.

Where are you in your journey? I am very interested in your progress emotionally as well as physically. Staying calm and controlled is very healthy. Having a "buddy" to be with you is a major plus when it comes to managing health issues. I am very lucky in that department. I hope you are also working together as partners with your team of clinicians and your wife/family.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

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@artscaping

Good afternoon @jeremy17, I just stopped by this discussion to see how things were going for you. I notice that you had a meeting with your oncologist. How did that go? What did you learn? Was it helpful to have your wife with you to take notes. and what kind of a reception did your list of questions get from the clinician?

In your reply, you asked me some questions. I wanted to make sure and get back to you after my appointment. Also, I wanted to clarify my sentence about having the same words on both your report and mine. I was referring to standard terms like malignant, benign, tissue, cell, carcinoma, etc. My symptoms are not the same as yours.

So here is mine.
Diagnosis: Invasive well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Essentially, this means that the tumor that connects with my sternum is malignant. The first step is another surgical procedure next week to make sure everything is removed. Then there will be more tests after healing and some thought about continued prevention if required. So I will probably be doing some treatment research.

Where are you in your journey? I am very interested in your progress emotionally as well as physically. Staying calm and controlled is very healthy. Having a "buddy" to be with you is a major plus when it comes to managing health issues. I am very lucky in that department. I hope you are also working together as partners with your team of clinicians and your wife/family.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

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Hello @artscaping

I am sorry to hear that surgery will be needed. Has a surgery date been set yet?

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@artscaping

Good afternoon @jeremy17, I just stopped by this discussion to see how things were going for you. I notice that you had a meeting with your oncologist. How did that go? What did you learn? Was it helpful to have your wife with you to take notes. and what kind of a reception did your list of questions get from the clinician?

In your reply, you asked me some questions. I wanted to make sure and get back to you after my appointment. Also, I wanted to clarify my sentence about having the same words on both your report and mine. I was referring to standard terms like malignant, benign, tissue, cell, carcinoma, etc. My symptoms are not the same as yours.

So here is mine.
Diagnosis: Invasive well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Essentially, this means that the tumor that connects with my sternum is malignant. The first step is another surgical procedure next week to make sure everything is removed. Then there will be more tests after healing and some thought about continued prevention if required. So I will probably be doing some treatment research.

Where are you in your journey? I am very interested in your progress emotionally as well as physically. Staying calm and controlled is very healthy. Having a "buddy" to be with you is a major plus when it comes to managing health issues. I am very lucky in that department. I hope you are also working together as partners with your team of clinicians and your wife/family.

May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris

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I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis and impending surgery. But at least it will certainly be a step to remove and hopefully cure the cancer.

I am finally about to make a post giving an update for my situation.

Take care, and thank you for your kind words and concern. Good luck to you and you'll be in my prayers.

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Sorry for the delay everybody. Unfortunately, I was, in fact, diagnosed with cancer. However, it's a low-grade b-cell lymphoma (replacing some bone marrow), and associated low-grade follicular lymphoma (in the form of a soft tissue mass next to my tibia bone.) I understand even non-Hodgkins lymphoma is pretty treatable, especially since its low-grade. I'm just glad I now know exactly what it is.

The surgical oncologist that informed me about my biopsy results stated that he doubted surgery would be necessary. I imagine I'll need radiation and possibly chemotherapy. However, if there's an option to only do radiation and possibly have effective results, then perhaps I'll consider that. I've heard chemotherapy has negative consequences, but I suppose radiation does too.

I have my first appointment with my oncolgist on Tuesday, and I'll certainly have a bunch of questions for him. It's been an emotional rollercoaster so far, but I'm improving in this regard a little, as I have an awesome family and friend support team.

Thanks in advance for all of your continued prayers.

Jeremy

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@jeremy17

Sorry for the delay everybody. Unfortunately, I was, in fact, diagnosed with cancer. However, it's a low-grade b-cell lymphoma (replacing some bone marrow), and associated low-grade follicular lymphoma (in the form of a soft tissue mass next to my tibia bone.) I understand even non-Hodgkins lymphoma is pretty treatable, especially since its low-grade. I'm just glad I now know exactly what it is.

The surgical oncologist that informed me about my biopsy results stated that he doubted surgery would be necessary. I imagine I'll need radiation and possibly chemotherapy. However, if there's an option to only do radiation and possibly have effective results, then perhaps I'll consider that. I've heard chemotherapy has negative consequences, but I suppose radiation does too.

I have my first appointment with my oncolgist on Tuesday, and I'll certainly have a bunch of questions for him. It's been an emotional rollercoaster so far, but I'm improving in this regard a little, as I have an awesome family and friend support team.

Thanks in advance for all of your continued prayers.

Jeremy

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@jeremy17 Hi Jeremy,
Thanks for the update. While I'm sorry to hear about the cancer diagnosis, it sounds as if it low-grade and is treatable. When it comes to cancer, those are all good things! I've had three surgeries for a rare form of cancer, carcinoid cancer, and while rare, it is slow-growing and only requires surgery with no other treatment needed afterward. As a result, I feel fortunate as well.

Will you keep in touch and let us all know the next treatment steps that you will be taking? I will pray that all goes well during the coming months.

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@jeremy17

Sorry for the delay everybody. Unfortunately, I was, in fact, diagnosed with cancer. However, it's a low-grade b-cell lymphoma (replacing some bone marrow), and associated low-grade follicular lymphoma (in the form of a soft tissue mass next to my tibia bone.) I understand even non-Hodgkins lymphoma is pretty treatable, especially since its low-grade. I'm just glad I now know exactly what it is.

The surgical oncologist that informed me about my biopsy results stated that he doubted surgery would be necessary. I imagine I'll need radiation and possibly chemotherapy. However, if there's an option to only do radiation and possibly have effective results, then perhaps I'll consider that. I've heard chemotherapy has negative consequences, but I suppose radiation does too.

I have my first appointment with my oncolgist on Tuesday, and I'll certainly have a bunch of questions for him. It's been an emotional rollercoaster so far, but I'm improving in this regard a little, as I have an awesome family and friend support team.

Thanks in advance for all of your continued prayers.

Jeremy

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Good afternoon @jeremy17, I am very proud of your careful and sensitive acceptance of the diagnosis. It shows how far you have come since your first and very fearful response.

You are right, there are lots of stories about successful treatment with radiation and/or chemotherapy. However, you are a unique individual and will respond in your own way to whatever you and your oncologist decide. Please remember this is a shared decision. As the patient you have clinicians and family who care very much about your health and well being. They all want you to have good results from your chosen treatment.

And we, at Connect, also have your back, so to speak. Please know that you are not alone. For every question and every wonderment, Connect members and mentors are right here. And I for one have a very personal interest. We both received the same diagnosis, cancer, and we are on our way to acceptance of what is required to move forward.

I care and am interested in your journey and would appreciate some updates.
May you be safe, protected and free.
Chris

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@jeremy17

Sorry for the delay everybody. Unfortunately, I was, in fact, diagnosed with cancer. However, it's a low-grade b-cell lymphoma (replacing some bone marrow), and associated low-grade follicular lymphoma (in the form of a soft tissue mass next to my tibia bone.) I understand even non-Hodgkins lymphoma is pretty treatable, especially since its low-grade. I'm just glad I now know exactly what it is.

The surgical oncologist that informed me about my biopsy results stated that he doubted surgery would be necessary. I imagine I'll need radiation and possibly chemotherapy. However, if there's an option to only do radiation and possibly have effective results, then perhaps I'll consider that. I've heard chemotherapy has negative consequences, but I suppose radiation does too.

I have my first appointment with my oncolgist on Tuesday, and I'll certainly have a bunch of questions for him. It's been an emotional rollercoaster so far, but I'm improving in this regard a little, as I have an awesome family and friend support team.

Thanks in advance for all of your continued prayers.

Jeremy

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@jeremy17
Jeremy, I am sorry to read that you have cancer, but glad to read it is low grade. I know you are doing your research and will carefully consider your options for treatment.

My family doctor used to take my list of questions from me and as we discussed stuff he would write some comments on the paper... uum... the doctor's handwriting is worse than mine. I started carrying a copy for him and one for me. I would put a check by the question when it was answered because he would answer out of order. I like my doctor. 😀

My thoughts and prayers for you and you family as you embark upon this new journey.

ZeeGee

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#jeremy17 I too will keep you 8n my thoughts and prayers 🙏 I know you with your Dr. Family and friends will make the right decision for you one you can live with

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