Axillary nodes Archives

20 Feb 2025

18 Comments

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Nodes, Nodules, Lesions (and false alarms!)

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship, The NET Effect Series, TreatmentAdvanced neuroendocrine cancer, Axillary nodes, Carcinoid syndrome, Carcinoid tumour, Distant metastatis, Hypothyroidism, Ki-67, Levothyroxine, Lung nodule, Lymphadenectomy, Lymphatic system, Metastatic Neuroendocrine Cancer, Neuroendocrine, Neuroendocrine cancer, Neuroendocrine tumour (NET), Nodule, Octreoscan (Octreotide scan), Quality of LIfe (QoL), Sternoclavicular joint, Supraclavicularfossa (SCF) lymph nodes, Surgery, Thyroid cancer

A fairly common disposition of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms is a primary with associated local/regional secondary's (e.g. lymph nodes), and often with liver metastases. Technically speaking, the liver is distant. However, many metastatic patients appear to have additional and odd appearances in even more distant places, including (but not limited to) the extremities and the head & neck. Certain things are known about the behaviour of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms (NENs) (a term for Neuroendocrine Tumours and Neuroendocrine Carcinoma) and specialists will be analysing many factors when working out the type of NEN and how it might behave. This is useful in cases of…

24 Jan 2025

By Ronny Allan

16 Comments

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Somatostatin Receptor (e.g. Ga68, Cu64) PET Scans – a game changer?

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship, Treatment64Cu-DOTATATE, Axillary nodes, Bone metastases, CT scan, Degenerative bone disease, Ga68 PET/CT, Liver metastases, NETSPOT, Neuroendocrine cancer, Octreotide scan, Overdiagnosis, Physiological uptake, Radionuclide, Retroperitoneal Fibrosis, SEER, SomaKit TOC, SSTR-PET, Subpectoral lymph node, Supraclavicularfossa (SCF) lymph nodes, Surveillance, Ureter

I was diagnosed in 2010 with metastatic NETs clearly showing on CT scan, the staging was confirmed via an Octreotide Scan which in addition pointed out two further deposits above the diaphragm (one of which has since been dealt with). In addition to routine surveillance via CT scan, I had two further Octreotide Scans in 2011 and 2013 following 3 surgeries, these confirmed the surveillance CT findings of the remnant disease. The third scan in 2013 highlighted an additional lesion in my thyroid (still under a watch and wait regime, biopsy inconclusive - but read on....). In 2018, my 6…

22 Apr 2024

By Ronny Allan

0 Comments

“An odd disposition of tumours” – less common metastases in Small Intestine and Pancreatic NETs

Clinical Trials and Research, Patient AdvocacyAdvanced neuroendocrine cancer, Axillary nodes, Bone metastases, Distant metastatis, Supraclavicularfossa (SCF) lymph nodes

Every day is a learning day in NET! When I was diagnosed in 2010, my Oncologist sent me for a specialist scan that would help confirm my staging definition and to document anything that might not have shown up on CT. This was described as an Octreotide Scan (somatostatin receptor scintigraphy) (now mostly replaced by Somatostatin Receptor PET (SSTR PET) e.g. Ga68/Cu64). Lo and behold, the 3 day Octreotide scan lit up some odd places which seemed to be unconnected to my small intestine primary. I was already stage IV due to the presence of liver metastases and this was…

09 Oct 2023

By Ronny Allan

7 Comments

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Troublesome Thyroids (Updated 2026 Edition)

Awareness, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship, TreatmentAnaplastic, Axillary nodes, Calcitonin, Calcium, Core Biopsy, Familial medullary thyroid cancer (FMTC), Fine needle aspiration (FNA), Follicular cell, Ga68 PET/CT, Graves’ disease, Hashimoto's disease, Hurthle cell neoplasm, Hyperthryroidism, Hypothyroidism, Levothyroxine, Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), MEN1 syndrome, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN), Overactive thyroid, Papillary thyroid cancer, Parathyroid gland, SCF node, Supraclavicularfossa, Thyroid, Thyroid cancer, Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3), Underactive thyroid

Thyroid information disclaimerThis content is for general education and reassurance only. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Thyroid nodules, thyroid function tests, cytology categories (Bethesda/THY), and molecular tests (such as ThyroSeq, Afirma, or ThyroidPrint) all require interpretation by qualified clinicians who know your full medical history, imaging, pathology, and symptoms. Thyroid disease is common and highly individual. Most nodules are benign, and many thyroid abnormalities are incidental findings — especially in people who undergo frequent imaging. Decisions about biopsy, molecular testing, surgery, or surveillance should always be made with your endocrinologist, surgeon, or multidisciplinary…

27 Feb 2017

By Ronny Allan

4 Comments

It’s been 10 years since I saw a scalpel (….but my surgeon is still on speed dial)

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship, TreatmentAdvanced neuroendocrine cancer, Axillary nodes, Carcinoid tumour, Distant metastatis, Endocrine, Ki-67, Lung nodule, Lymphadenectomy, Lymphatic system, Metastatic Neuroendocrine Cancer, Neuroendocrine, Neuroendocrine cancer, Neuroendocrine tumour (NET), Nodule, Octreoscan (Octreotide scan), Quality of LIfe (QoL), Supraclavicularfossa (SCF) lymph nodes, Surgery, Thyroid cancer

In 2012, I had a bunch of lymph nodes removed. Two separate areas were resected, only one was showing growth but both were showing up as hotspots on an Octreoscan. I had known since shortly after diagnosis in 2010 that 'hotspots' were showing in my left 'axillary' lymph nodes (armpit) and my left 'supraclavicular fossa' (SCF) lymph nodes (clavicle area). Some 10 months previously, I had a major liver resection, and 5 months prior to the liver resection, I had a small intestinal primary removed including work on some associated complications. There had always been a plan to optimise cytoreduction of my…

Tag: Axillary nodes