Metastatic Neoplasms

Question: Please tell me what this means, doctor says cancer...? Findings: 8 cm retroperitoneal mass-neoplasm and adjacent retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy-masses concerning for lymphoma or other neoplasm metastatic carcinoma lymphadenopathy masses. Possible liver carcinoma metastatic masses.

Answer: First let me define some of the terms. Retroperitoneal - this means behind your peritoneal cavity. This is the same space that your kidneys are in. It is your mid to lower back. neoplasm - tumor adjacent - next to lymphadenopathy - abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes carcinoma - cancer (not benign) metastatic - cancer that has spread lymphoma - cancer of the lymph nodes Total Translation : Doctors have found an 8cm tumor lump/mass located in the patient's lower back. Next to that, there are enlarged lymph nodes. (Lymph nodes are like the garbage men for your body. They take all the bad stuff out and try to remove it) The enlarged lymph nodes are concerning since they might be cancerous lymph nodes or another type of cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. The doctors think it might be cancer that started in the liver and spread to these other areas. I urge this patient to see an oncologist IMMEDIATELY. Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes is dangerous since it can continue to spread to other parts of the body. Lymph nodes are little garbage men so they will take the cancer into their circulation and dump it onto other organs by mistake. (Metastasis) If it is just a few lymph nodes, they might be able to remove them and stop the chance of it spreading. They will then attack any other cancerous pieces remaining through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. I wish this patient the best of luck.