A bit niche - but has anyone else had enlarged abdominal lymph nodes, with otherwise clear scans?

[Thymeout]

I'm 4 years into monitoring for a Borderline ovarian tumour. My Ca19-9 blood tests have been slightly above normal since they were first tested. Higher 2 years ago and on a downward trend. However... 3 raised levels seem to have triggered some protocol. I was referred by Ob-Gynae - no Gynae-Oncs at the hospital doing the monitoring - to Gastro, who ordered CT scans of pelvis, abdominal and chest.

No sign of any suspicious lump, lesion or mass. Just 2 enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. No symptoms. To be re-scanned in 3 months.
Could be infection or possibly surgical damage? They 'sampled' nodes during surgery. Don't know yet if they were in the same place. Apptment tomorrow.

The chances seem to be in my favour and it's good that they're being cautious. Just had a v anxious time 4 years ago, including a mis-diagnosis - and hate being on this treadmill again.

Hi. My dad recently got a CT scan for a kidney stone and it found no evidence of the stone which must have passed but there were abdominal lymph nodes enlarged. He had another CT a few months late and they were the same size so has to get re scanned in 6 months. I've been a bit concerned but the letter he got said it's reassuring they haven't changed. Hopefully just something that can happen for no obvious reason.

Hi - thanks so much for replying. Consultant said enlarged lymph nodes are in the pelvic area, which obviously was much mauled when having ovaries, uterus, omentum and large tumour removed 4 years ago. Not surprising, really. No need for a re-scan as far as he's concerned, but he's gastro, not gynae.

Sounds as if your dad's lymph nodes may have been affected by passing the kidney stone. They seem to be quite delicate little flowers. Good that they're keeping an eye on things. We are so lucky to have the NHS. Hate to think how much my treatment would have cost privately.

I have no useful experience but I spotted your name Thymeout so just wanted to send my good wishes. I'm glad the consultant doesn't seem worried, but that doesn't stop you worrying of course will you still be having another scan or have they cancelled that?

Hi Leslie! Lovely to hear from you. So pleased about your recent scan. I thought of the lacies when I started this thread. Puts it all in perspective to be fretting about a couple of lymph nodes instead of being grateful for clear scans. I was so lucky 4 yrs ago, I think I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

They seem v territorial at this hospital. I've now been discharged from Upper Gastro - they were looking for pancreatic cancer, apparently, because of the Ca19 levels - and it's now up to Gynae to decide about further scans. Anything pelvic is wimmin's business, nothing to do with them. I think the levels and the lymph nodes are both collateral damage from surgery.

Btw, my dd has an ice-cream attachment for her Kitchen Aid - elopement present from me -and makes the most delicious coffee ice-cream. Have fun with it. You really can taste the difference.

It's perfectly understandable to worry! There's lots of people who have no issues and no scans so if anything we should all be jealous of them but seriously, don't feel you have to be ridiculously grateful and cheery just because it isn't as bad as someone else's situation. There is always someone worse off.

I hope the gynae team will get back to you soon about it. I think I'd want another scan in six months just to be on the safe side. But collateral damage seems a likely explanation. Everything is so interconnected in there, just a big jumble of fleshy stuff really, so it's not surprising different bits get irritated.

Very, very good news that it's not pancreatic cancer though. I know there's no good cancer, but bloody hell that's a nasty one.

And thank you, I'm very excited. Hopefully it will arrive soon so I can start experimenting with flavours

Hello, i’m a surgeon and I just wanted to add that your consultant’s explaination sounds right. Lymph nodes can be enlarged due to inflammation and infection .

Thanks everyone. Yes. A follow-up scan sounds a good idea.