Cancer again

[cranium]

I just got home from the hospital where they have diagnosed me with angiosarcoma ( I assume soft tissue angeosarcoma) being that it was a lesion on my back. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with TC, had the operation, and last year found that it had moved to the abdominal lymf node. I under went radiation thearopy and now a year and several months later. this new cancer has appeared. Has anyone here been diagnosed with angiosarcoma of the skin after they went through treatment for TC? The good news I do want to share with my fellow surviors is that I have a 8 month old son. Glory be to God. Thank you for any insite.
Rick

[Scott]

Yikes, Rick, angiosarcoma is rare and can be bad news. How is it being treated? Are you doing OK?

[cranium]

Scott,

First thanks for your concern. I am doing ok for now. Last week I was told that the surgeon was going to remove a lesion from the lower center of my back. Today I found out that the lesion was in fact angiosarcoma cancer. Evidently it took a small team of pathologists, both from my local hospital and the Mayo clinic, to figure out what they were looking at. I guess it just goes to prove that when you are checking yourself out make sure to report everything to your doctor. The first course of treatment will be to increase the size of the original incision and perform a skin graph. I will learn more of additional treatment when I talk to the oncologist tomorrow. I just want to let everyone know that even though this is rare, keep tabs on your surveillance. This lesion was not detected by CAT scan nor blood work but by my wife looking me over. I did read that Angiosarcoma cancer is better detected by MRI and will suggest that to the Oncologist tomorrow.
Rick

[Apache]

Rick, my thoughts are with you. How exactly did your wife find this? I'm curious. I inherited a tendency from my grandfather on mother's side to develop little "cyst" type things under my skin in the abdomen in the past, but in the past two months I've gotten some that appear to be around the ribs and back. my latest ct and bloodwork were ok. based on your post, it sounds like MRI is better. I don't want to go wig out to my doctor, but your story has defintely keened my interest. thanks for sharing. I will be meditating daily and will send some positive energy your direction. stay focused, you can beat it.

[cranium]

Apache,

Thanks for the thoughts. The lesion appeared 9 months after radiation treatment as a purple burse looking thing. My oncologist didn't think much of it thinking just some kind of scar tissue. She did recommend having a dermatologist take a biopsy of the lesion. The biopsy came back inconclusive. The dermatologist recommended the removal as precaution. The full growth 2cmX1.5cm was then sent out to pathology where they discovered the cancer. After doing my own research and talking with the Oncologist we believe the original radiation treatment was the cause. I guess I fall into the 1 in a million where radiation causes Angiosarcoma. My thought is that noticing you did not have radiation you should be good to go. If in doubt call a dermatologist and get checked out. Good luck!!
Rick

[Apache]

Cranium, thanks for sharing. I called the doctor today and they didn't seem too concerned and told me to keep an eye on it. they're probably right. anyhow, I'll be thinking about you.

[Karen]

Rick,
First, congratulations on your son!!!! Second, congrats on having a wife with good eyes. I think I'll put Nair on my husband's abdomen tonight so I can check his skin. I hope all goes well for you with this. What's the treatment/follow up? You sharing this information is invaluable...thank you!! We learn so much from this site and the members. My prayers are with you! Keep us posted please.