Splenomegaly and Swollen Mesenteric Lymph nodes

[mafic9]

This year I have had problems with swollen mesenteric lymph nodes and splenomegaly. I have had a number of CT scans and still have swollen lymph nodes and a very swollen spleen. I am not experiencing any signs of lymphoma although in the last month I have lost over 15 lbs. but could be from a surgery I had which I ended up having internal bleeding problems and was unable to eat for about 4 days. What are the possibilities I could have lymphoma and if not cancer what else could this possibly be. I have had a number of blood tests and all come up without sign of infection and no signs of cancer.

Thank you for any response

[mafic9]

Thank you for your comment, I will look into the various sites/aids that you have mentioned

Best of luck to you

[ott70]

Viruses, bacteria, and mycoplasmas can hide out in your tissue. While you have had just about all of the bloodwork possible under the sun, as I have had also, you can still have pathogens hiding out in your tissues. And I'm not sure a lymph node biopsy would be conclusive if all they look for is cancer and not some other pathogen. As you know with the spleen, they can't reliably biopsy it without removing it.

Instead of waiting for it to strike you, I would suggest at least reading about the Microbojen formula and check out someone who performs muscle testing. The medical field is going to scoff at muscle testing, and I'm not sure I believe it fully myself, but I would think a consultation with an acupuncturist/chiropractor who muscle tests might put you out about $100. I'm not saying it's a cure but it may offer some insight into what ails you.

And if you do have a virus, bacteria, or mycoplasma hiding in your body, why let it fester into what could become cancer? My hematologist is the same way with my spleen, wait and see. I understand his stance on it, so that means I have to check out other avenues to figure out what's going on with my body and what I can take to fight off pathogens. Supposedly, I am currently fighting some mycoplasmas and mold in my body. I don't have any medical test to prove it, but I know I've been fighting something for a year and all my other medical tests are fairly clean.

The Microbojen formula is created by Dr. David Jernigan. His credentials can be found on www.hansacenter.com. It's alternative medicine, but it's far from hocus-pocus in my mind. Another website to check out about pathogens is www.immed.org. That site is run by Dr. Nicolson who is a highly-regarded microbiologist.

There's more crud than cancer out there that our normal medical doctors are not well-versed about. It's unfortunate that we may never know exactly what ails us, but there are solutions out there to be found to make yourself feel better, it's just a matter of finding the right solution.

Have you considered a lymphatic massage? What about some type of natural detox formula? With your nodes and spleen enlarged, your body may not be detoxing good enough. There are quite a few detox formulas with natural supplements on the market that can be found at places like Whole Foods and Vitamin Cottage. Detox formulas are generally created with herbs and plants that are well-known to support the lymph system. I'm not sure they will be strong enough to cure you but maybe they can assist in kick-starting your body into detox. Other detox methods are a skin brush -- because the skin is one big detox system -- and an epsom salt bath -- hot bath with epsom salt and hydrogen peroxide. I don't do the brush and bath as often as I should, but they both seem to help.

[mafic9]

also for diet I am a vegetarian and eat many vegetables, fruit, beans, rice, soy, tofu, take supplements specific to being vegetarian, flax seed etc...

[mafic9]

Thank you very much for your reply. I have actually been tested for everything under the sun as far as infections go. Back when I was in the hospital for my second (do over) hernia surgery I had a specialist come in and draw basically what was left of my blood (joking of course at the time I had very little blood left in my system) and test me for even the most obscure possibilities including EBV, and many other viruses, bacteria,  etc...only caught on continents that I myself have never travelled (though of course others may have)

I do work in the environmental field and wonder if the heavy metals I do study and investigate could be of any cause but in the last 8 months I have become stuck behind a computer and do no longer come in contact the subject at hand.

I get from my current oncologist now that he is waiting for the "whatever" it is to strike as it is slowly spreading to more lymph node groups...the lymph nodes in my mesentery are roughly 2 cm, and I always I have a set appointment of course unless "something changes" B symptoms for reference.

But again thank you for your help and hope...as humans we must rely on ourselves(not myself alone but ourselves) to gain strength and cure.

[ott70]

Low dose Naltrexone (LDN) might be something else to consider. Try Googling it to establish an opinion of it for yourself. An enlarged spleen could be the result of your immune system dysfunctioning and LDN is supposed to help provide a boost to your immune system.

[ott70]

Perhaps you are fighting some type of co-infection? Besides cancer, which we all can worry about, there are many other pathogens that can cause the spleen and lymph nodes to enlarge. Pathogens to consider would be viruses, bacteria, mold, and mycoplasmas. Unfortunately, the normal labs that insurance uses for blood testing are generally not good enough to pick up these type of pathogens.

Have you ever been tested for EBV? The EBV virus can cause the spleen to enlarge.

I to have an enlarged spleen and some nodes in my neck that are borderline. The spleen has been that way for 4-5 months but I have been feeling crummy for almost a year. I have gone to the extent of having a PET scan and my spleen and nodes have been ruled out as being cancerous. My spleen is now known as "idiopathic" or "we don't know why your spleen is enlarged". I have also tested high on EBV titers.

What are you doing for your health? Good diet, lots of water, and supplements? Red Root is a natural supplement that is supposed to help with spleen enlargement.

I have no qualms about using the medical field, but have you considered alternative medicine? It will cost you some money, but it is your health that you have to consider. I've seen lots of doctors/specialists, but my best relief has come from seeing alternative doctors. If you have an open mind, find an acupuncturist that performs muscle-testing. It might be an interesting revelation for you or you might just consider it all hogwash.

Are you taking any meds or natural remedies? I would recommend considering Microbojen by Jernigan Nutraceutical (www.jnutra.com). It's a natural remedy that is created to kill intracellular pathogens. I don't consider myself "cured" at this point, but I can tell you that Microbojen does something in my body based on symptoms that I have (referred to as herxing).

[mafic9]

It is now encroaching upon a year now with the finding that I have swollen lymph nodes in the mesentery. Over the course of the year I have been found to have splenomegaly, continued swollen mesenteric lymph nodes, and last ct scan has shown the same with the  two lymph nodes near my lungs to now be classified as swollen, just slightly larger than a cm. This all began with a CT scan for a hernia I experienced a year ago...I thought it was good to find out early that something might be wrong with me instead of it just being dropped as a bombshell, but now I am wishing I knew nothing as they cannot give me an answer to what it is because the risk is too great at the moment to biopsy the lymph node in the said area.

The weight of knowing that I possibly have cancer has been the greatest challenge of my life especially while trying to maintain a normal early adult life...new job, college loans, fighting with the insurance company as every test and ct scan and doctors visit I have had this year has been treated as a preexisting condition solely based on not having insurance prior to just gaining insurance with my first professional job...even after filling out all paper work stating that I had seen no doctors in the 6 month window prior to gaining the insurance.(boy insurance loves taking my money but sure doesnt like to help even in the face of a possible illness), and trying to keep a strong face in front of my family and girlfriend. I do not want them to have to worry as much as I do though I can see it in their faces and feel it as they do.

But life is what it is it is and will always be worth living no matter what challenges one faces

[mafic9]

I just came home from the hema/onc after having another CT scan and my spleen is still enlarged and I still have enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and they now see two nodes near my lungs that are slightly >1 cm...but as the lymph nodes are not greatly enlarged and havent changed much over the course of the last few CT scans and these are in a location that would not be easy to biopsy weighed against the risk. I have another CT in 6 months and check up unless something changes along the way. Is this the normal course of action I guess the wait and watch method and should I be worried at all? Could this be normal or is this what is seen in an indolent lymphoma or other indolent diseases?

[mafic9]

These dimensions are looked at through my geologists eyes....short axis, long axis etc...I am no radiologist but I can clearly see my spleen extend much lower than my lowest rib. That is very clear.....

[mafic9]

I need to make a correction I just looked at my last ct scan again and my spleen is roughly 17.6cm x 10.2 cm x 5.1 cm.

[mafic9]

my last ct scan shows that my lymph nodes have gone down but my spleen is still enlarged. Although now the radiologist thinks I might have a "odd" shaped spleen. I am not sure what to think because my very first ct scan mentioned nothing of my spleen. I have had a number of tests for infections that all came back with nothing. I asked for a copy of my last ct scan and my spleen is almost 18 cm in its longest axis the other 2 axes reaching 5x7 cm. So as my year progresses I am still standing with pretty much no answers. I had internal bleeding from a simple hernia procedure where that should not have happend which could be possibly from my enlarged spleen. But now that they are thinking that i just have an odd shaped spleen I do not know what to think. I have another follow up ct scan in roughly 5 months now unless something changes. so i do not know if the doctors are just playing nice and waiting to see what happens. well i seem to be rambling but it would be nice to have answers. thanks

[Beverly820]

My e-mail on September 22nd telling you that my 2 year grandaughter had gotten a
second opinion about the protruding bone  in her clavicle  possibly being lymphoma.
The radioligist read her x-rays and he felt it was a break in the collar  bone that never
healed.  it could have occurred from a possible injury from falling at some time.
Can a child possible have 2 different diagnosis????  Is there anything to be concerned about since the parents were told it was not to be a concern.  One says possible lymphoma and the other diagnosis is an injury to her collar bone.  WHAT IS YOUR OPINION.  NOT TO BE CONCERNED.  My e-mail of September 22nd was never answered.  HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.

[Beverly820]

I sent an e-mail on September 22nd  telling you that my 2 year old grandaughter got a second opinion and it differs from the first opinion.  First opinion could be a lymphoma due to a protruding bone in her clavicle being a lymph node to be removed.  Second opinion xrays the radiologist read it a break in the collar bone that never healed.
The protruding bone thusly being from a possible injury from falling.  Can a child possibly have 2 different diagnosis.   What do you think of this and advice to this situation.  Blood work appears to be normal and parents were told it was not to be a concern.  I am concerned that this is the true diagnosis.  NOT TO WORRY.  She weighs about 30 lbs.
Thank you and hoping to hear from you soon.

[Beverly820]

My 2 year old grandaughter was noticed to have a bone protruding from her clavicle but upon  x rays it was diagnosed as a lymph node.  My son is taking her to Riley's
Children in Indianapolis to have her evaluated as a second opinion.  It was also noted that
she also has a small nodule in her groin.  She has had a ultrasound.  Blood work results are not in yet but we are concerned about her.   Her blood work several months ago
showed that she was somewhat anemic.   Is this possible leukemia or lymphoma.
If this is the case what are the treatments for this child.  And secondly, can a child
overcome this disease with treatments. If a malingnacy what is the lifespan for this age.
Beverly820        

[michali]

I agree...my lymphoma did not show up in any blood tests and it was only by biopsy of my mesenteric lymph nodes that lymphoma was confirmed. The radiologist who read the ct scan made the initial diagnosis.

[mafic9]

Thank you for your response, and I will keep you updated on my status.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

The best way to rule out any malignancy or lymphoma is to have the suspicious sites sampled or biopsied.  I'm afraid that the blood tests would not reveal a cancer reliably.

Having large lymph nodes and spleen would really be indicative of a hematologic malignancy such as lymphomas or leukemias, and I believe that a biopsy of the nodes may be warranted.

Other causes would include not so common infections especially with parasites (like schistosoma).  Sickle cell disease may also present with splenomegaly.

Regards and God bless.