Any nurses, doctors, any input?

lovinmamaxo

A few days back i wrote a post about stomach problems. Well i had a CT scan dye test and the report came back as having lymph nodes/masses on the rectum/pelvis they said the biggest one measured 1.3 cm. Now i am worried but my doctor tells me not to be.. how should i not be worried? Anyone wondering if anyone has gone through this? Everything else appeared normal with my organs and stuff which is definitely a good thing.... never even had a ct scan before a few days ago.

Megan2Project

I'm no nurse, but everyone has lymph nodes... They are part of your lymphatic system.

SmangeDiggs

Are they lymph nodes OR masses as they can be quite differant things

fightingautism

if it were me, I'd get a second opinion. The only way to know for sure if it's nothing to worry about is to have a biopsy and pathology report. A GOOD oncology surgeon can pick up on certain aspects of "spots" in the CT scan, but the only way to know 1000% is pathology. Either the cells are cancerous or benign, but only a pathologist can say for sure. This is not medical advice, just personal opinion. For medical advice, please do not depend on an internet posting :-)

wamaverick

If your doctor told you not to worry then I wouldn't! If you don't agree with your doctor's input then I'd seek a second opinion. I'm not a doctor or a nurse, but I do work in the lab and work closely with my doctors. Again if you don't like doctor's advice then seek a second opinion.

Like someone said you do have lymph nodes, like everyone else does. And they from time to time do get clogged up. They are your body's defense on keeping you well.

ktbug82

Everyone always assumes a mass to be a tumor and a tumor to be cancer or a big deal. If your doctor is telling you not to worry, then don't. I'm sure you'll have some follow-up studies done at some point too. Just because there is a mass on your lymph nodes doesn't mean it's a reason to be scared. If it isn't looped in with your bowels or causing distention of your organs then it's probably not a reason to worry. The radiologist looks at A LOT of different factors before they begin to worry. Just go to follow-ups and tell your doctor that you're freaked out if it gives you peace of mind. Or have your doctor explain to you in more detail about what is going on in your body.

lovinmamaxo

This is the "official report"

The abdomen and pelvis were scanned helically after the intravenous
administration of 130 ml of Isovue-370. Oral contrast material was also used.
Multiplanar reformatted images were obtained.

Indication: Rectal mass with diarrhea.

Abdomen findings: The liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and adrenal glands are
normal in appearance. The patient is status post cholecystectomy. I see no
abnormalities of the bowel structures. Multiple shotty retroperitoneal lymph
nodes are seen with individual nodes measuring up to 1.2 cm in maximum axial
dimension though most are smaller than this.

Pelvis findings: The reported rectal mass is difficult to visualize with
certainty on this exam. As in the retroperitoneum, shotty intrapelvic lymph
nodes are seen.
Impression

Nonspecific shotty adenopathy in the retroperitoneum and pelvis, otherwise
unremarkable exam.

docannie14

First let us check on your signs and symptoms? Any changes in your bowel movement? Lost of appetite.? Bloatedness? Difficulty defecating? Etc? Masses are different fr lymph nodes tho. It is important to differentiate true enlarged lymph nodes from what are often referred to as "shotty" lymph nodes. Such descriptions refer to small mobile lymph nodes that are often palpable and that usually represent a benign change, usually following a viral illness.
E-medicine

sarah307

This is the "official report"

The abdomen and pelvis were scanned helically after the intravenous
administration of 130 ml of Isovue-370. Oral contrast material was also used.
Multiplanar reformatted images were obtained.

Indication: Rectal mass with diarrhea.

Abdomen findings: The liver, pancreas, spleen, kidneys and adrenal glands are
normal in appearance. The patient is status post cholecystectomy. I see no
abnormalities of the bowel structures. Multiple shotty retroperitoneal lymph
nodes are seen with individual nodes measuring up to 1.2 cm in maximum axial
dimension though most are smaller than this.

Pelvis findings: The reported rectal mass is difficult to visualize with
certainty on this exam. As in the retroperitoneum, shotty intrapelvic lymph
nodes are seen.
Impression

Nonspecific shotty adenopathy in the retroperitoneum and pelvis, otherwise
unremarkable exam.

if you are concerned for any reason, ask another doctor
but everyone has lymph nodes ... sometimes they just like to report what they see NOW so they can compare to other exams that might be done later in the future to see of any changes
(going to school for diagnostic radiology)

luvmycandies

Are they lymph nodes OR masses as they can be quite differant things

Exactly. I am in medical field. But need more info. Did they say you need biopsy or just benign masses?

catcrazy

You are going to worry yourself senseless so book another appointment asap and ask for a full explanation of the findings in plain English.

neil3125

I think the lymph nodes are more concerning if you truly have a mass in your rectum. It looks like your doc put this in the request for the CT, but that the radiologist did not see a mass in the rectum on the scan. I think enlarged retroperitoneal and pelvic nodes would be more concerning in the setting of a mass in the rectum or colon. If you have recently had a viral illness (fever, diarreah) these enlarged lymph nodes could be a reactive phenomenon (due to inflammation in the setting of infection.) Obviously noone can give a medical opinion without seeing and examining you, but those are my thoughts. - Neil

luvmycandies

The report is saying everything looks ok, except the rectal mass cannot visualize and enlarged lymph nodes. For that you need follow up. Are you seeing a GI doctor? I would ask:

1. is there really a rectal mass? Why do they think this? or if so..what caused rectal mass?
2. Are you going to biopsy it if a mass or lymph nodes?
3. Does they have potential to turn "dangerous" later?
4. Are they going to be removed?
5. Will they decrease on my own?
6. Do i have to change my diet at all? (such as restrictions on certain types of food? You should already have restrictions from cholesysectomy

grannygethealthy1111

The report looks benign to me. If you are concerned, get a second opinion.

liftingbro

It appears to me that the lymph nodes are swollen a bit. The doctor specifically mentions "Shotty adenopathy" which simply means that it's likely due to a virus or maybe a bacterial infection.

"Rectal mass" is a non-specific term for a lot of things like hemorrhoids,polyps,abscesses and cancer.

Given that your MD didn't seem too concerned it is more than likely one the lesser of the ones I listed. However, it would be a good idea to ask him/her exactly what type of mass it was. It's odd that no further detail was given on that.

midwifekelley2350

i am a nurse-midwife and i say...get another opinion!

lovinmamaxo

Updating as i had my colonoscopy today. Colon looked great but there was hemorrhoids internally and a couple tiny polyps they pulled all the polyps out though otherwise everything looks great now i wait 7-10 days for the results of the biopsy.

luvmycandies

That is great. Let us know what happens.

sandy2006

wow good luck to ya keep us updated!

midwifekelley2350

fingers crossed for good news