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Condensed version, I need a direction to follow up
by Dnmh, Sep 21, 2008 09:10PM
I posted earlier and it's very long so I'm hoping a condensed version gets a response. I lost my job in February along with my health insurance so I'm avoiding seeing a doctor. With my family health history of cancer and my own health history - I have major concerns that I may be at a very high risk for cancer, but I don't know where I should go to start getting answers or if there is a cause for concern. I'm not looking for a diagnosis here - just a path to follow and if there is cause for concern.
I have an enlarged lymph node in my groin - right side. I saw a gyno last year thinking it was ovary. She thought it was of no concern because I'd had it for at least a year. I also have constant pressure that causes the muscles and ligaments in my neck to ache - again right side under my collarbone. There is also pressure pushing outward under my lower ribs - right side - ulcers ruled out. Very itchy skin on lower legs - scratching at night wakes me up, as well as sides of torso and top of arms, underside for at least the last 4 years. Was put on antihistamines that don't work.
I had an ultrasound on my thyroid in March 2007 - CT scan of chest saw one.
Thyroid Echo revealed "three hypoechoic nodules measuring 2mm, 3mm & 3mm" on the right lobe "within the left lobe there are two small nodules within the upper and mid-pole measuring 3mm & 2mm" and "Within the inferior pole there is a complex nodule measuring 1.4 x 1 x .08 cm. Remainder of the thyroid parenchyma is diffusely irregular in echogenicity. Contour of thyroid gland is also mildly irregular" Impression: Findings consistent with multinodular goiter with a single large nodule measuring 1.4 cm in greatest diameter. Malignancy cannot be excluded and histologic evaluation is recommended. - Needle biopsy was performed and to my recollection came back as not being cause for concern at the time.
Thyroid blood test results: Thyroxine, Free 1.03 and TSH 1.39.
High family history of cancer as follows
Father’s family history:
Grand-father & his brothers: 5 of 7 boys with cancer: Grandfather: died of Prostate cancer of the bone. His brothers: 1 bladder cancer, 1 thyroid cancer, 1 liver cancer, 1 bladder cancer, 1 still living with prostate cancer. One died in WW2 so we'll never know if he had cancer.
My father: Hypothyroidism
My generation – 4 cousins with hypothyroidism that we know of. One cousin recently passed away with leukemia. He also had a large mass on his thyroid that “was put on the back burner)
My mother was first in family to have Breast cancer. Radical mastectomy with lymph node removal on one side. Seems to have metastasized to bone but is not feeding. Mother also has CLL.
I have an enlarged lymph node in my groin - right side. I saw a gyno last year thinking it was ovary. She thought it was of no concern because I'd had it for at least a year. I also have constant pressure that causes the muscles and ligaments in my neck to ache - again right side under my collarbone. There is also pressure pushing outward under my lower ribs - right side - ulcers ruled out. Very itchy skin on lower legs - scratching at night wakes me up, as well as sides of torso and top of arms, underside for at least the last 4 years. Was put on antihistamines that don't work.
I had an ultrasound on my thyroid in March 2007 - CT scan of chest saw one.
Thyroid Echo revealed "three hypoechoic nodules measuring 2mm, 3mm & 3mm" on the right lobe "within the left lobe there are two small nodules within the upper and mid-pole measuring 3mm & 2mm" and "Within the inferior pole there is a complex nodule measuring 1.4 x 1 x .08 cm. Remainder of the thyroid parenchyma is diffusely irregular in echogenicity. Contour of thyroid gland is also mildly irregular" Impression: Findings consistent with multinodular goiter with a single large nodule measuring 1.4 cm in greatest diameter. Malignancy cannot be excluded and histologic evaluation is recommended. - Needle biopsy was performed and to my recollection came back as not being cause for concern at the time.
Thyroid blood test results: Thyroxine, Free 1.03 and TSH 1.39.
High family history of cancer as follows
Father’s family history:
Grand-father & his brothers: 5 of 7 boys with cancer: Grandfather: died of Prostate cancer of the bone. His brothers: 1 bladder cancer, 1 thyroid cancer, 1 liver cancer, 1 bladder cancer, 1 still living with prostate cancer. One died in WW2 so we'll never know if he had cancer.
My father: Hypothyroidism
My generation – 4 cousins with hypothyroidism that we know of. One cousin recently passed away with leukemia. He also had a large mass on his thyroid that “was put on the back burner)
My mother was first in family to have Breast cancer. Radical mastectomy with lymph node removal on one side. Seems to have metastasized to bone but is not feeding. Mother also has CLL.
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Thanks for posting a detailed history.
You have symptoms and that warrant further investigation. Plus you have a strong family history of cancer and that poses a risk for hereditary types of cancer. You need to undergo further tests to determine what is causing your symptoms. You may need to have a repeat thyroid ultrasound, CT scan, and biopsy. Blood examinations like a complete blood count, thyroid function test (T3, T4, TSH), and perhaps a lactic dehydrogenase determination can help.
I strongly advise you to see your doctor for evaluation.
Regards.
Thank you again for your time. It's very much appreciated.
I believe it will be better if you will be seen an internal medicine specialist. If ever there is a need for you to be seen by a subspecialist, for example an endocrinologist for a possible thyroid problem, the referral will come from him/her.
Please do post your updates.
Take care.
That is what I meant to ask, not for a subspecialist as you mentioned. I wasn't sure which choice between family medicine, general practice or internal medicine.
I am going to spend the day looking into insurance options so that I can have this looked into.