I received my ultrasound results....?!
Question: I received my ultrasound results!.!.!.!.!?
Okay, as the story continues!.!.!.
I had a liposarcoma in 99/00; this was a high grade liposarcoma (something I've failed to mention in past questions) located in my abdominal area!.
I had found some lumps in my legs and finally got the results of the ultrasound that I had done!.
In regards to the doctors that I have been seeing, NONE of them have ever treated anyone, and some never even known anyone with a liposarcoma!. The guy that did my ultrasound on the lumps in my legs has only done ultrasounds in the legs to look for veins, varicose veins, or blocked veins!. He said that he had never looked for lumps in the legs!.
So, here is what the report says!.!.!.
Clinical Indication: history liposarcoma lumps lower extremity, question varicosities versus soft tissue masses!.
FINDINGS: There is one lump right lower extremity which appears to be caused by a varicose vein!. There are three lumps lower left extremity!. 5mm lump appears to be solid and does not represent a varicosity!. There is also a 2!.7 mm lump left lower extremity anteriorly which appears to be a vessel!. 5 mm lump in the left lower extremity is the only soft tissue mass which could represent neoplasm!. There does appear to be a rent in the sarcolemma adjacent to that lump and this may be simply represent herniated muscle!. If there is clinical concern for metastases fine needle aspiration could be performed!.
______________________
I know that a fine needle aspiration is not a recommendation for my type of cancer!. I feel that I need to have my leg opened up and a exploratory surgery be done!.
Because of my experience of being misdiagnosed for so many years to begin with, I will not allow ANY lump go unchecked in my body!. If it's a lump that can be removed, I will fight until it is removed!.
I'm hoping that BELLYDOC will see this!! I appreciate the answers that you have given me so far!
Www@Answer-Health@Com
I had a liposarcoma in 99/00; this was a high grade liposarcoma (something I've failed to mention in past questions) located in my abdominal area!.
I had found some lumps in my legs and finally got the results of the ultrasound that I had done!.
In regards to the doctors that I have been seeing, NONE of them have ever treated anyone, and some never even known anyone with a liposarcoma!. The guy that did my ultrasound on the lumps in my legs has only done ultrasounds in the legs to look for veins, varicose veins, or blocked veins!. He said that he had never looked for lumps in the legs!.
So, here is what the report says!.!.!.
Clinical Indication: history liposarcoma lumps lower extremity, question varicosities versus soft tissue masses!.
FINDINGS: There is one lump right lower extremity which appears to be caused by a varicose vein!. There are three lumps lower left extremity!. 5mm lump appears to be solid and does not represent a varicosity!. There is also a 2!.7 mm lump left lower extremity anteriorly which appears to be a vessel!. 5 mm lump in the left lower extremity is the only soft tissue mass which could represent neoplasm!. There does appear to be a rent in the sarcolemma adjacent to that lump and this may be simply represent herniated muscle!. If there is clinical concern for metastases fine needle aspiration could be performed!.
______________________
I know that a fine needle aspiration is not a recommendation for my type of cancer!. I feel that I need to have my leg opened up and a exploratory surgery be done!.
Because of my experience of being misdiagnosed for so many years to begin with, I will not allow ANY lump go unchecked in my body!. If it's a lump that can be removed, I will fight until it is removed!.
I'm hoping that BELLYDOC will see this!! I appreciate the answers that you have given me so far!
Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Message: received!
The bottom line is that if you want this lump excised for pathology, even if it's only 5 mm (tiny), it should come out just for your peace of mind!. I'd do it without blinking, as would probably every surgeon I can think of!. There is no reason to leave you feeling anxious!.
The fact that you're this far out from the original surgery and it was called "high grade" at the time, is a great surgical result!. It really starts to look like there was none left behind!.
I'm not one that's fond of the word "cure" when it comes to cancer, but a few more years and you really won't have any other ways to describe it!.
In removing a mass from your thigh that's as small as you describe, there may actually be a little challenge to it!. Oddly enough, my experience is that once the overlying skin is opened, the sense of a discrete mass which can be felt becomes much less distinct!. At times, I'll actually use the help of the radiologists who will place a needle into the mass by ultrasound, in order to insure that I get the thing in the specimen that goes to the lab!. This is called a needle localized biopsy!.
The general rule with making incisions in order to obtain biopsy for possible sarcoma is to plan ahead!. If the biopsy result is positive, usually one has to go back to excise more tissue and make sure that all of it is gone!. This has to include the previous biopsy incision, just in case tumor cells were wiped off on the walls of the incision when it was opened!. The entire incision needs to be removed with an oval of skin around it!. All of the tissue that was disturbed by the previoius biopsy has to go!. The original site, along with a margin of healthy tissue needs to be removed!.
For this reason, it's my practice to place a couple of metal clips into the tissue around where I biopsy for suspected sarcoma!. That way, the radiologist can use xray to pin-point the location and place a needle into it!.
A positive biopsy for sarcoma is quite rare, and I have to say that even in those cases where I felt CERTAIN, I've only been right ONCE!. Everyone else has had benign biopsies!. The only other times I've come across sarcomas that weren't already diagnosed, it was a surprise!.!.!. much like yours, which sounds like it took some time to figure out!.
Personally, I wouldn't be too worried about a tiny lump in the thigh, even given the aggressive nature of your initial tumor!. The probability that it relates to the previous tumor seems low to me!.
I completely understand and support your drive to get a solid answer, though, and whether it's a negative biopsy or a positive one necessitating re-exision, I think you should remain as alert to your own body as you are now, for at least a few more years!.
I hope you'll keep me informed as to what happens, because I have no doubt that the lump is soon to be gone!. ;)
Www@Answer-Health@Com
The bottom line is that if you want this lump excised for pathology, even if it's only 5 mm (tiny), it should come out just for your peace of mind!. I'd do it without blinking, as would probably every surgeon I can think of!. There is no reason to leave you feeling anxious!.
The fact that you're this far out from the original surgery and it was called "high grade" at the time, is a great surgical result!. It really starts to look like there was none left behind!.
I'm not one that's fond of the word "cure" when it comes to cancer, but a few more years and you really won't have any other ways to describe it!.
In removing a mass from your thigh that's as small as you describe, there may actually be a little challenge to it!. Oddly enough, my experience is that once the overlying skin is opened, the sense of a discrete mass which can be felt becomes much less distinct!. At times, I'll actually use the help of the radiologists who will place a needle into the mass by ultrasound, in order to insure that I get the thing in the specimen that goes to the lab!. This is called a needle localized biopsy!.
The general rule with making incisions in order to obtain biopsy for possible sarcoma is to plan ahead!. If the biopsy result is positive, usually one has to go back to excise more tissue and make sure that all of it is gone!. This has to include the previous biopsy incision, just in case tumor cells were wiped off on the walls of the incision when it was opened!. The entire incision needs to be removed with an oval of skin around it!. All of the tissue that was disturbed by the previoius biopsy has to go!. The original site, along with a margin of healthy tissue needs to be removed!.
For this reason, it's my practice to place a couple of metal clips into the tissue around where I biopsy for suspected sarcoma!. That way, the radiologist can use xray to pin-point the location and place a needle into it!.
A positive biopsy for sarcoma is quite rare, and I have to say that even in those cases where I felt CERTAIN, I've only been right ONCE!. Everyone else has had benign biopsies!. The only other times I've come across sarcomas that weren't already diagnosed, it was a surprise!.!.!. much like yours, which sounds like it took some time to figure out!.
Personally, I wouldn't be too worried about a tiny lump in the thigh, even given the aggressive nature of your initial tumor!. The probability that it relates to the previous tumor seems low to me!.
I completely understand and support your drive to get a solid answer, though, and whether it's a negative biopsy or a positive one necessitating re-exision, I think you should remain as alert to your own body as you are now, for at least a few more years!.
I hope you'll keep me informed as to what happens, because I have no doubt that the lump is soon to be gone!. ;)
Www@Answer-Health@Com
I would suggest that you seek out a sarcoma specialist or at least go to a sarcoma center!. Sarcoma should always be treated by someone with experience !. !. you need a surgeon who also specializes in sarcoma!.
Sarcoma Alliance: Sarcoma Centers
http://www!.sarcomaalliance!.com/centers!.h!.!.!.
There are also online support groups for sarcoma and liposarcoma that can help guide you through this:
ACOR: The liposarcoma (cancer) Online Support Group
http://listserv!.acor!.org/archives/l-sarc!.!.!.
Sarcoma Directory
http://www!.protopage!.com/sarcomaWww@Answer-Health@Com
Sarcoma Alliance: Sarcoma Centers
http://www!.sarcomaalliance!.com/centers!.h!.!.!.
There are also online support groups for sarcoma and liposarcoma that can help guide you through this:
ACOR: The liposarcoma (cancer) Online Support Group
http://listserv!.acor!.org/archives/l-sarc!.!.!.
Sarcoma Directory
http://www!.protopage!.com/sarcomaWww@Answer-Health@Com
Waves of higher frequency than audible sound waves!. Reflection of ultrasound waves was applied to underwater detection during World War II, and subsequently to imaging the body!. The harmless waves (>100 Mhz) are aimed at the part to be examined, and reflections are detected from tissue components in proportion to their acoustic impedance!. These signals can be processed to create two- or three-dimensional images!. The most common use is for viewing the fetus in early pregnancy, but there are also many other diagnostic applications!.
http://www!.answers!.com/topic/ultrasoundWww@Answer-Health@Com
http://www!.answers!.com/topic/ultrasoundWww@Answer-Health@Com