Oncologist pre-diagnosis?

[chowder20]

Hi! I'm a little bit freaked out about what's going on! For the last few months my doctors suspected I had lymphoma. I had a lymph node removed (not the first to swell, but the easiest to access) for biopsy and it came back cancer free. This was months ago, and since it came back cancer free, no one went any further in trying to diagnose me.
Since more lymph nodes are flaring up, and the ones that have been swollen have increased in size. My doctor is referring me to an oncologist. Is it normal to see this doctor before diagnosis? What could I expect?
They don't treat unless they are absolutely sure it is there, right?

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
I can see that you are very perturbed. A referral to an oncologist does not mean that you have cancer. An oncologist is also the right person to come to a diagnosis that you do not have cancer. These specialists have the expertise to completely rule out cancer. It is better to be safe than to be sorry at a later date.
“Lymph nodes can become swollen from infection, inflammatory conditions, an abscess, or cancer. Other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are rare. By far, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection.
When swelling appears suddenly and is painful, it is usually caused by injury or an infection. Enlargement that comes on gradually and painlessly may, in some cases, result from cancer or a tumor.”
Refer: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003097.htm
The confirmation is done by either an excisional biopsy or by fine needle aspiration cytology. Some doctors prefer to do a CT scan.
Hope this helps. Do let me know if there is any thing else and keep me posted. Take care!

[chowder20]

Thank you very much for your  words.
The starting of my swelling has been going on for a year, is painless and just more of an annoyance. Gradually other lymph nodes have flared up and a doctor I saw removed one of my lymph nodes for biopsy. That test came back negative.. the doctor I saw that referred me to the oncologist said that the biopsy being cancer free makes no difference. The surgery was six months ago. Most lymph nodes from my underarms up are swollen.
A CT scan can show cancer?
People only get treated for cancer if they have it, right?
Thank you  very much again. You are so very helpful.

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for keeping me posted!
Yes, a CT scan will show cancer. Also you will be treated for cancer only if you have one. Again a single node biopsy may miss cancer. But do not panic.
Please discuss this with your oncologist when you meet him. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[chowder20]

Thank you so much, bless you! Is a year after symptoms have started generally considered early?
Is there anything else you think it could be?

[chowder20]

Need a little more help! I had a glass of wine two evenings ago and my lymph nodes, (otherwise don't hurt) started hurting. I almost want to have a drink just to see if it happens again. What could that be!

[chowder20]

It has been a while since my last post. I've developed a new symptom. My ankles started swelling, along with when consuming alcohol, my lymph nodes hurt after.
As well as I can eat ANYTHING and not retain the weight.
Freaky stuff! What is going on??