Scared I have cancer - Cancer Message Board

sunshine123 · 01-07-2005, 11:34 AM

Hi everyone: Forgive me if I've already posted on this board. I'm so worried that I'm not functioning to full capacity. In Nov., I had a KUB b/c I have a history of kidney stones. The radiologist said there was a lesion on my left pelvic bone and it's suspicious of metastasis. When I heard that, I freaked out. I asked my Urologist about it when he saw the xray and he said it's probably just a calcium deposit. In Dec. I had my physical and told my Dr. about left shoulder pain. I had shoulder xrays and the radiologist diagnosed calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome in my rotator cuff as well as suspicious for metastasis vs myeloma inferior distal left clavicle. I saw my Orthopedist and he said the xrays only show calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome of the left rotator cuff. He said I don't have cancer; the radiologists are just covering their butts by saying all of that. He suggested an SPEP blood test though. I had that done recently and something was only slightly abnormal. My PCP sent me for a chest xray to rule out a lung tumor. Next week, I'm having a bone scan. I've been a basketcase waiting to find out what's going on. Could I have lung cancer without having any symptoms of it? I just hope that the bone scan will be helpful in a diagnosis. I just needed to vent. I'm also having a Mohs surgery this Monday for a basal cell cancer on my lip. I'm in great shape, aren't I? Thanks to anyone for listening.

Marimac · 01-07-2005, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine123

Hi everyone: Forgive me if I've already posted on this board. I'm so worried that I'm not functioning to full capacity. In Nov., I had a KUB b/c I have a history of kidney stones. The radiologist said there was a lesion on my left pelvic bone and it's suspicious of metastasis. When I heard that, I freaked out. I asked my Urologist about it when he saw the xray and he said it's probably just a calcium deposit. In Dec. I had my physical and told my Dr. about left shoulder pain. I had shoulder xrays and the radiologist diagnosed calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome in my rotator cuff as well as suspicious for metastasis vs myeloma inferior distal left clavicle. I saw my Orthopedist and he said the xrays only show calcific tendinitis and impingement syndrome of the left rotator cuff. He said I don't have cancer; the radiologists are just covering their butts by saying all of that. He suggested an SPEP blood test though. I had that done recently and something was only slightly abnormal. My PCP sent me for a chest xray to rule out a lung tumor. Next week, I'm having a bone scan. I've been a basketcase waiting to find out what's going on. Could I have lung cancer without having any symptoms of it? I just hope that the bone scan will be helpful in a diagnosis. I just needed to vent. I'm also having a Mohs surgery this Monday for a basal cell cancer on my lip. I'm in great shape, aren't I? Thanks to anyone for listening.

I am sure that all these tests and the uncertainties are beginning to get to you. The honest answer about lung cancer is that it often has no symptoms. Especially in non-smokers. Smokers, have symptoms basically due to the side effects of smoke which sometimes leads them to have an Xray long before a non-smoker would. Lung cancer can be a very silent cancer until it is almost too late to treat. However, don't jump to any conclusions because calcifications may just be from drinking a lot of milk in your life time, or because of the lime deposits in water in your area, or even more simple, a result of a high protein diet that can easily be corrected. There are just too many non cancerous reasons for your diagnosis, but it is a good idea to check things out to be on the safe side.

sunshine123 · 01-09-2005, 01:18 PM

Thanks for your response. I used to smoke, but quit 23 yrs. ago when I got married. The fear of the unknown is the absolute worst b/c I don't know what I'll be dealing with in the future. I'm trying to get through one day at a time, but I've never been good at that.

SamQKitty · 01-09-2005, 03:27 PM

Sunshine,
I agree...uncertainty is the worst! Four years ago I developed a lump in my left groin area. After having it removed surgically, it was determined to be cancer, but they couldn't figure out what kind. They did all kinds of pathology tests on the tumor, but nothing was clear (except that they ruled out any kind of lymphoma). I remember how terribly depressed I was, thinking that if they couldn't figure out exactly what it was, they wouldn't be able to treat it. I had a bunch of tests, but nothing showed up anywhere. They finally called it "Cancer of Unknown Primary" (also know as CUP). Luckily, I have a wonderful oncologist, who spent a lot of time calming me down and explaining his treatment decisions, based on what the cancer seemed "similar" to. I had four chemo treatments and five weeks of radiation therapy, and I've been cancer-free for 3 1/2 years.

You mentioned that your having surgery for basal cell cancer on your lip. Do you have an oncologist? If not, I highly suggest that you consult with one, if only for reassurance. Based on the total picture, an oncologist may agree with your other doctors that these are benign calcifications, or he may not, but at least you'll have done everything you can to rule out cancer.

Ruth

shadowrose40 · 01-14-2005, 07:13 AM

HI

On radiologist reports, they report all the possibilities. For instance, I had a cancerous cervical polyp several years ago. The CT report read "unable to rule out metastasis" due to several ovarian cysts. That was 3 years ago and I'm still here. (I'm bad, though, because I never followed up on the ct report.)

X-rays don't diagnose much positively. Not in terms of cancer. The bone scan will help. A PET scan would also help.

Good luck