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General health

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Original poster

Are there some cancers which can't be diagnosed through blood tests?

40 replies

HandleMeCarefully · 26/01/2009 18:07

Dh has painful enlarged spleen of unknown cause. GPs have previously (in last 6-9 months) screened for cancer with blood tests which were negative, and there were no masses observed in his spleen in echo examination.

He has recently (about a week ago) seen a Consultant Immunologist who has taken bone marrow, has sent him for a CT (today) and will see him in clinic again in 2 weeks. Dh freaked out because the radiographers let it slip today that he is an 'urgent' case.

I told him that he is probably urgent only because the Consultant Immunologist is probably sympathetic to how long he has been suffering with this enlarged painful spleen, and that he has been mismanaged (languished for a while in primary care going backwards and forwards to the doctor...then referral to inappropriate speciality eg Gastroenterology)...so she probably thinks he merits fast tracking now since this spleen issue has been going on too long and is painful....

But he reckons the 'urgent' means something sinister..

I am countering this suggestion by pointing out that his blood tests were negative and so was his echo....

Sorry to waffle, but he has me apprehensive now!

So, are there some cancers that wouldn't be picked up on blood test and echo alone?

OP posts:

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 29/01/2009 16:33

HMC - i am so with you.

My DH has been unwell for a while now, cough, chest pain, swollen glands. I am rigid wih fear about what is wrong with him, terrified about lymphoma.

To be fair I suffer from Health Anxiety but this is like the worst fear ever. So many scenarios are running through my head, so many fears.

I really, really hope that your DH is OK and it can be treated.

Original poster

HandleMeCarefully · 29/01/2009 16:41

Thanks LightShines - I hope your dh turns out to be fine too. It's not pleasant is it.....

OP posts:

ThingOne · 29/01/2009 18:52

Good luck for next week, and well done for getting the appointment changed.

Don't know when we get to go on holiday as we've spent more money than we have on nannies. But security of knowing children properly cared for and being able to nap and rest whenever is fantastic.

gingerwine · 30/01/2009 11:56

Good luck for next Wednesday. I'm so glad they could fit him in. Asking nicely clearly worked. You are right, she wouldn't be able to discuss the results on the phone. Whatever it is it needs to be explained face to face by the consultant or his team. Are you going in with him?
Time to distract yourself now. Hope you find something to keep you busy over the weekend. How about the cinema?

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 30/01/2009 16:02

Hi HMC - been thinking about you as I feel we may be in the same boat at the moment. DH is not getting any better despite anti-bs and I know we will be back at the doctor next week.

Do you think not knowing is worse than knowing what is wrong, even if it is bad news and your fears are confirmed?

Hope you can keep busy over the weekend. Take care.

Original poster

HandleMeCarefully · 03/02/2009 17:27

Sorry have been a bit quiet. The waiting has been interminable and we have both been feeling quite low. All being well we get the results tomorrow - but we have a lot of snow here and heavy snow forecast overnight, so I am praying that clinic isn't cancelled.....

OP posts:

gingerwine · 03/02/2009 19:56

I was wondering how you were doing. Not long now though. Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you tomorrow. Knowing is better than not knowing. Let us know how things go.

Tiggiwinkle · 04/02/2009 11:01

Hi HMC-I have been thinking about you both.

I really hope the clinic goes ahead and the news is good.

ThingOne · 04/02/2009 13:29

Hope you get to the clinic today. Keep us posted.

Original poster

HandleMeCarefully · 04/02/2009 16:04

Thanks for being concerned . You've all been lovely. Better than some of my RL friends who haven't known what to do or say whilst we have been awaiting these results.

It was good news - bone marrow clear, no blood cancer.

The doc is still none the wiser as to why his spleen is enlarged and why the pain is so troublesome - but it is nevertheless a huge relief to get an all clear.

Dh has gone onto monitoring - he will be asked to reattend in 3 months for another CT to check and see whether the spleen is still getter bigger, and in the meantime his doc is going to discuss his problematic spleen with colleagues at an audit review meeting. Dh is obviously a medical mystery!

Overall, we are massively pleased that he doesn't have cancer and a long arduous course of gruelling treatment ahead, but would still like to know what is causing his spleen enlargement and the pain (which is quite debilitating)

Thingone, all the very best for the remainder of your chemotherapy and your summer op. I'm glad that it is all drawing to a close for you soon, and you can get your life back on track.

OP posts:

gingerwine · 04/02/2009 17:56

Fantastic news. I'm so relieved for you both. Perhaps a celebratary glass of wine is in order!

I wonder what it is. Let us know once they find out! So glad this has been investigated thoroughly.

You must be so relieved.

All the best.

Hope all goes well Thingone.

ThingOne · 05/02/2009 15:07

That does sound good news.

I hope they can find out what is wrong. What pain relief does he have? I had morphine patches before my tumour was excised but they normally only give them to cancer patients. Might be worth asking, though.

Tiggiwinkle · 05/02/2009 15:17

I am so pleased it was good news!

It sounds as if it is a bit of a puzzle as to the cause-let's hope they get to the bottom of it soon. Let us know when they do!

(By the way, I know just what you mean about people not talking to you-"friends" used to cross the street to avoid me when I was diagnosed. I know they did not know what to say, but it was very hurtful. All you really want at times like that is for people to talk about trivial stuff and be normal!)

HMC · 05/02/2009 23:01

ThingOne - he is just using over the counter panadol atm. I don't want to exaggerate the pain...but basically, in a nutshell he is 'compromised'. I have to tie his shoe laces because it hurts to bend over, he couldn't help build a snowman this week, he can't play footie with the kids, and errrr...jiggery pokery is off the menu . It's not a huge thing...but he is like a 46 year old trapped in a 76 year old body. But I am conscious of not over complaining when I think about what you and Tiggi have been through.

Tiggi - re the talking about normal stuff, there's a mum at school atm who is going through breast cancer - for the 2nd time....I have been adopting the 'business as usual' approach with her, hoping that is the right way to go....

ThingOne · 06/02/2009 15:05

Have you talked to your GP about pain management? OK, you're right, it doesn't sound like tumour pain which was really out of this world.

When I've had surgery recently they've been very keen on the idea that you don't need to be in pain, and keep checking the level of painkillers. What's panadol? Just paracetamol or does it have codeine in as well? I'm sure your GP can help with this. A phone consultation should sort your DH out.

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