ALK lung cancer: First sign of progression?

Hi. My brother has lung cancer and I wrote about it in the post below. He has taken Alectinib for few months and the results has been great so far.

However he just received result from his latest Xray and the comment the doctor wrote online was that he can see "some slightly prominent lymph nodes in the abdomen". However he is stating that there are no signs of progression and because of that, we continue the treatment as usual.

What does it mean that the lymph node is slightly more prominent?

healthunlocked.com/lungcanc...

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear minions11

Sorry to hear of the worry you have with your brother, it is encouraging that they have stated that there is no progression. You mentioned x-ray, and wondered if you meant on his last CT scan, which is better imaging to view the presence of lymph nodes or PET scan.

Slightly prominent lymph nodes may mean infection, or an inflammatory response if the immune system is compromised in any way, but it may be worth discussing with the oncologist to clarify what they mean by 'slightly prominent lymph nodes' or your brother could ask his lung cancer nurse specialist to explain further.

It is good they are continuing his treatment and hopefully he will keep well on this.

If you would like to discuss anything you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[sassassas]

Hi Hidden Hope you are doing ok?

As ever, that’s a really great response from Roy Castle but hope my husband’s experience gives you some further reassurance too.

My husband has a very similar thing - he is currently NED, 18 months from diagnosis of nsclc in his lungs and bones. His PET / CT scans always now show his lymph nodes around his chest area are relatively hot. They aren’t big (still less than a centimetre) but glow warmer on the PET scan so they are always commented on and compared to the previous scan by the radiologist. Our oncologist explained that the size of these nodes are entirely normal in a person who had not had cancer but because he has, they will comment on them. They tend to be measured at around 2 to 3 SUVmax but are pretty stable - they’ve been like this for a year now.

As you also say they’ve noted this in his abdomen, I’d imagine it’s even less a cause for concern as these nodes are some distance from the lungs.

Hope that’s helpful to you.

Sarah x