What are survival rates? Is this lymphoma?

Question

My brother in law was sent to the hospital because of leg swelling and a "ball" in his stomach. He's been there since last night. At this point, from whatever my sister in law can manage to word through tears, is that he has masses in his leg, one in his stomach pushing on his bladder, and in both lungs. She mentioned lymphoma, knows she hear perhaps Hodgkins but isn't sure. (She's really not with it.) They scheduled a biopsy for Friday. Does this seem really advnced? Does it sound like any of the lymphomas? He's had no outward symptoms. Please help!! Any info is appreciated. We are going nuts thinking his survival rates aren't good.

Answer 1

I feel for you. I've been there, done that, only it was my 17 year old. Everytime the social worker came into the room with the pediatric oncologist we knew the news wasn't good. Awful nightmare. Just awful. Hang in there and be strong.

Anyway, I'm not sure how lymphoma presents initially, but I can tell you that when my son first entered the hospital we heard that he might have Lymphoma too. That idea quickly changed after the biopsy. But we clung to that for about three days until we got the results from the biopsy. He had multiple abdominal masses and widespred cancer . . stage IV. We were told that Lymphoma was easier to treat than a sarcoma. They sent the biopsy results away for a second opinion, which confirmed he had an extremely rare and aggressive sarcoma that predominately strikes boys and young adults. So, we knew he was in for the fight for his life at that point on.

I'm afraid that your brother in law does have a stage IV cancer from your description. Stage IV allows the doctors to know exactly which treatment to use for your brother in law. It is not a death sentence, but it is more difficult to treat with more hazards to encounter.

My son had originally gone to the doctor because his pediatrician thought he had hypothyroidism. The week before he had been a healthy kid playing high school basketball. His belly had been expanding and we thought it was the thyroid condition. We were shocked and horrified to discover he had cancer. Right up until that diagnosis he had been asymptomatic.

Do not worry at this point about survival rates. There are way too many factors to affect survival at this moment. No one can really predict this, not even his doctors. And,if they start handing out statistics, than it is probably time to get a second or third opinion. Have them look for an oncologist that they totally trust, that they get along with, and who will go the extra milege that they may need to get through this. Do not give up. Your brother in law and sister will find their strength and you can be there to help them.

Good luck, I get it.

Answer 2

This term refers to a whole group of malignancies, and some are highly aggressive and others relatively benign. How can we make a prediction? The pathological diagnosis would be the type of lymphoma and not non Hodkins lymphoma.

Answer 3

This site and it's links may help. Hodgkin's Lymphoma is a rare form of cancer. It can effect T cells as in Leukemia. But it depends on the type. While it is fatal a person can live a long life with it. Example: Ed Bradley who lived to 65 years of age. He was diagnosed many years ago but it can go dormant for years. I hate to make this comparison but Pol Pot the leader of the Khmer Rouge had it and lived quite long. He may never even die from it. Medical break through's are always happening and it can be controlled currently.

Answer 4

That does sound like it could be lymphoma. Lymphoma is often described as "Hodgkins" or "non-Hodgkins" so even though your sister may have heard it, it could be either one. I think non-Hodgkins is usually more responsive to treatment. Because the lymph system covers the whole body, lymphoma can spread through the body perhaps a bit faster than most other cancers. People very often hav no symptoms of lymphoma fora long time.

Now for the good news: from what I understand, most lymphoma responds very well to treatment, even if it's somewhat advanced. In fact, an oncologist once told me, "If God ever tells you that you have to get cancer, but you get to choose, then choose thyroid cancer. My second choice would be lymphoma."

Also, my manager at work had lymphoma 6 yrs ago and presented with an unusual lump in his leg but it had spread to his groin area, almost like your brother in law. He said treatment took about a year, was tough, but not unbearable and he is SPRY and HEALTHY these days! Takes a few medications and is followed pretty closely by his physician, but over all leads a really normal, boring life.

A diagnosis of " C A N C E R ! " is no longer the death-sentence it was 30 or 40 years ago. Try to stay optimistic. I know it can be hard sometimes. This sounds so cheesy, but no B.S.-having cancer was one of the best experiences of my life! If it is lymphoma, remember: *He didn't just now get the cancer-he has HAD the cancer growing inside his body, now that they FOUND it, he can start HEALING!*

Answer 5

She's got to bring in someone who can listen calmly and be able to ask questions. That's really the only way to find out what's going on and what the prognosis is.