gret

Well, the good news is that I don't have lymphoma! The bad news is that it is something not all that common...a nerve cell tumor called "schwannoma"(what a name!). When the path report came in, my GP's nurse practioner said she had never heard of it.(great)

It is hard to find a lot of info on this and mine is of an even rarer type and location: perepheral..in the bracheal plexus, collarbone area. It apparently is a tumor in the nerve cell, and not usually malignant(meaning it doesn't usually spread to other sites), but it sometimes is, or can turn.

The problem is that they grow and compress the nerve causing all kinds of very serious probs,(depending on size and location) which now explains all my pain and probs all these years with my right shoulder, arm, and hand. (who knew?)

They are not always easy to diagnose b/c they are not often seen on the outer part of body, but my tumor got so large that I saw the lump and went to the doc, not even thinking it was related to shoulder/arm probs. No wonder I have had such agonizing pain and numbness!

Anyway, I see the surg on thurs, and will get a few more answers, but they have said I will need to see a neurologist. Apparently these are usually treated these with surg and or radiography, but I really don't have a lot of info.

If anyone out there knows about this..please enlighten me!