Hope it has not spread

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I had surgery for Head and Neck cancer in March this year and then 33 sessions of radiotherapy. I was doing really well and felt good. Then I felt ba bit rough, saw GP and after an x-ray was sent to hospital with fluid on my left lung. They drained off 1.5 litres of fluid. Then saw my cancer surgeon and he ordered immediate CT scan and now have been told I need a PET scan to follow up and get more detail. I also have pain in my left ribs for soem reason.

Am  a bit worried as the possibility that cancer might have spread was mentioned, but my surgeon is saying keep calm until we really know what is going on.

Anyone else had any similar experiences?  I am hoping it is just a bad chest infection!

  • Hello Uncle Keith

    So sorry to hear you’re in a fix. 
    I have a friend who ended up similarly in hospital after her radiotherapy with a chest infection. 
    If you do a search there are forum members who had lung problems after treatment. 
    Your surgeon has to order all these scans and I’m sure they are normal for somebody who has a history of cancer. It’s not a case of weighing up likelihoods  against certainties. 
    Keeping my fingers crossed for you  

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hello there, only to say my wife had paritodectomy and facial nerve sacrifice Feb 2019 and she has been experiencing left side abdominal pain for a few months. Too scared to do much about it I think.. Adenoid cystic carcinoma original histology

  • Oh Anon123 so sorry to hear. It must as you say be a huge worry. Please encourage her to call her team ( by pass your GP as their involvement is not necessary at this stage). 
    I can’t possibly offer a diagnosis but it may well  be absolutely nothing to do with her cancer. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi Keith, sorry to hear this, i think the main thing to remember is it could be an infection or a number of things, so best to wait for the test results.

    I have had recurrent back pain - which of course i worry about even tho it is probably from slouching at my pc...but not fluid. 

    I have read that chest infections are more common following cancer treatment, so it may well be that.

    Hope your news is good

    Trev

  • Good evening Uncle Keith , i have not suffered from these issues, i can understand your concerns i think your consultant is right especially this time of year with so many cold viruses including Covid. Fingers crossed for your scan and the results, wishing you all the very best for the New Year, take care.

                                                        Chris.                

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • Hi Anon123, i agree with Dani, your wife should get it checked out as the early she has seen the better it is for all concerned. Maybe make it a New Year's resolution between you both. Take care.

                                                                                                                Chris.

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Beesuit

    Thanks. Am keeping calm and waiti ng for my PET scan date- then they can sort me out. Hiopefully just a chest infection.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to TrevW

    Hi Trev, many thanks. Keeping calm till there is a reason not to. Just quite uncomfortable at present.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to chris2012

    Thank you

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Had my PET scan that was ordered as a follow up after my CT scan and waiting results- hopefully next week. Fingers crossed.