2 week cancer pathway - Advice

[wishfulthinking25]

Hi all,

my lovely dad has had quite a few tests / scans lately CT/PET and we met with the consultant today to discuss the results. He said there was a ‘hot spot’ on his lung and his throat. Since Sunday he has had a very enlarged lymph node on his neck. Essentially, the Dr thinks he has lung and throat cancer that may have spread to his lymph node. They are scheduling two biopsies to find out more.

My questions are for anyone who may have gone through similar, is a ‘hot spot’ on a PET scan always malignant? Is it common to have two different types of cancers at the same time or is it possible it’s spread already? I know I should’ve asked the Dr today but I was just so taken aback and numb I couldn’t think.

Also, he has had no symptoms of anything. He had a screening scan and it showed a nodule on his lung, when he went back 3 months later it had grown so he got referred for all of these tests/scans. The PET scan just so happened to also pick up the hot spot on his throat and of course, his lymph node in his neck is now very swollen too.

TIA

No, a hot spot on a PET scan isn’t necessarily cancer. It’s just somewhere there is a lot of metabolic activity/inflammation, which there IS in cancer, but also in other things.

For example, in my PET scans, my recent surgical scars and scar tissue lights up, as do my joints because my cancer treatment caused joint swelling and inflammation (so my knees, ankles and one shoulder lit up), the spots where they tried to get the cannula in and bruised my arm and a sweat rash between my boobs (🤷🏻‍♀️) too. The last one was an awkward one for my oncologist to check. 😂

So no, it doesn’t mean cancer, it just means something funny is going on there and they’ll need to check. The lymph node especially will be easy to biopsy and get a quick result back.

Thank you so so much for your reply I really appreciate it!! He has had surgery on his lungs before so I’m hoping it could be that. Thanks again

It sounds like the medical team are on it with your dad so hope the biopsies happen in a timely way. Being in limbo is really stressful so do take care.

Although it is scary that the Dr has mentioned it could be cancer - spread or new - because sometimes they don’t and it comes as a shock (more of a shock) if a cancer diagnosis is totally off radar.

My mum had bowel cancer and had various surveillance tests after the surgery which identified ‘incidental findings’. These were non cancerous but required monitoring. She had something on her thyroid - followed up & discharged after 2 (?) years with no issues. I think she had other incidental findings too that weren’t cancer. Every time she has a scan she said they found some lump or bump! None of which bothered her or required intervention.

She recently had a lump on her neck - it was large and appeared quite quickly. Although trying to be calm we feared the worst. She had no other symptoms. She had bloods, MRI & ultrasound on a suspected cancer pathway and it was found to be not sinister - not cancer. It’s possible she had a burst blood vessel which has gone into her lymph node. She will go back to the consultant in 6 months.

Take care - it so so hard but trust the right tests are being done and you’ll soon know what you are dealing with, and what, if any intervention needs to happen.

@BSky4thankyou for your comment, I’m really hoping it’s nothing sinister and I’m sorry about your mum, glad she is well now! It’s so stressful being in limbo I’m trying to be positive for him but then at home I get so upset!

My mum is formidable - she is doing well now thank you. Bless her something crops up every few months. That’s ageing for you! I just look at each hurdle she gets over as a blessing and a bonus.

I really hope your dad is ok. It’s so hard waiting and not knowing. Thinking of you.

Hi all, my dad had his throat biopsy yesterday followed by an appt with an ENT consultant who put a camera through his nose into his throat. He confirmed he has throat cancer but we have to wait for results of the biopsy to know exactly where we stand. He hasn’t had any appt for his lung biopsy as of yet but the consultant said he would push this through as it needs to be done asap so they can work out a treatment plan. He was quite confident that the throat and lung are 2 separate cancers rather than one that has spread but again, we have to wait and see. I just can’t believe it my dad has never had symptoms and all I can think is that we are going to lose him. He’s young, early 60s and I have young children that love him so much. I’m just so sad and being so close to Christmas doesn’t help either. I’m putting on a brave face for my mum/dad, sister and family but every night I’ll cry in bed. Thank you to those who commented I really appreciate it and wish you and your loved ones all the best of health

I’m so so sorry you’ve had this news and so near Christmas makes it extra hard 💜
It’s natural to be upset so cry when you need to. Don’t Google wait to get all the facts and I hope your dad can start his treatment plan as soon as possible. Macmillan helpline can be helpful if you need some support.

Take care thinking of you x

I wondered if anyone would reply, thank you so much it really means a lot. I know Google is the worst thing to do! Hoping we get some answers soon. Thanks again x

I’ve been there a few times with mum and lost my dad 2 years ago so have some understanding. It’s so stressful and worrying but hopefully your dad is in good hands with the Consultant. Your dad is young and if I’ve understood, by all accounts, seems well in himself, which could be positive for his response to treatment.

There’s no sugar coating cancer but there are more treatment options these days and many people live well with cancer or beyond a cancer diagnosis. I work in cancer services not as a clinician though. Take a step at a time and look after yourself.

if you feel you need to talk the Macmillan Helpline is good Your dad will have A CNS and they will be a good support to answer questions https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help?sc_camp=970C6EDF35E54314AC7E65656E4A746A