Groin Lymph nodes—so scared. Oncologist?

[SighNoMore 62]

I had a CT a couple weeks ago. It found a few incidental findings. One thing mentioned benign lymph node swelling. 
 

I can’t shake the fear that this coupled with some other findings are so very bad and something is being missed. My urologist ordered the scan due to my history of kidney stones. I was also dealing with a UTI at the time of the scan. It found kidney stones among a couple other things. 
 

The groin lymph nodes being enlarged are petrifying me. 
 

Any insight? My urologist gave me the all clear outside the stones and UTI. 
Do I need an oncologist?

[AriaRen 15]

Benign is the key word there. Oncologists are for cancer, your urologist would have referred you if they thought necessary, but they've seen from the CT that they're just a bit swollen, and told you that you're fine, they wouldn't have ignored them. You're healthy, enjoy it ❤️

[SighNoMore 62]

Thank you. I’m just scared. I know it said benign, but coupled with so many other finds, I’m petrified. 

[AriaRen 15]

UTIs can cause swollen groin lymph nodes, chances are that's why they weren't too fussed. If you're worried about your symptoms, 100% see a doctor, but if it was anything to worry about the doctor would've said there and then. 

[SighNoMore 62]

He chatted with my husband and me about the CT results and the findings. He told me he was not worried at all. I just question the fact that he is a urologist and is he missing something? 
 

He is an expert in his field, but I worry he will dismiss something that isn’t his specialty. Surely he would refer me if he was worried about another finding, right?

[MARC 338]

The radiologist who read the CT scan would have mentioned any abnormalities found. 

[SighNoMore 62]

Marc, he did. I’m worried my urologist is ignoring all the findings and only focused on the ones in his speciality. 

[Iugrad91 501]

Do you really think doctors do that? Nope. They call in other docs for opinions all the time if it’s something outside their area of expertise. They don’t look at test results and ignore something because they don’t know what it might be.

[SighNoMore 62]

I hope not. I’m just worried he half glanced at the report from the radiologists, and thinks ehh it’s fine. 
 

I am so scared he didn’t read the full thing or isn’t seeing all the incidental findings and how together it may be bad. 

[Thrufaith 8]

Get a second opinion...if your this worried and consumed with fear, and feel that you are not getting a complete analysis of your scans than you should look for a second opinion. I know with health anxiety the purpose is to be believe your doctor and what they say, but sometimes it doesnt hurt to be your own advocate and seek a second opinion. Once you get a second opinion and you are given the all clear then you need to really tell yourself that you are healthy and Ok and its Ok to trust your doctors. Once you get your second opinion you need to be Ok with the Dr. Response and go on with your life.

[SighNoMore 62]

I honestly don’t know if a second opinion will help. I debate it, but I don’t know that it will be lasting peace. 
I have no reason to not trust my urologist, but it’s the fear of what if. Like what if he didn’t read it all? I mean he told me there was nothing to worry about, but I can’t let it go. He even chatted with my spouse and told my spouse this was a good scan with some incidental findings that are all benign. I just can’t accept that. I’m so scared something is missed. 

[jonathan123 2322]

Hi. SNM.  Doubt is one of the major problems in HA. We don't believe anyone even though told, as you have been. that you are fine. 

Now why is that? Does it go deeper in a psychological sense? Are we seeking attention? I am not saying you are, but in my experience it does happen. Self worth and self esteem can come into the picture. No matter what a second opinion tells you you will still worry. Ask yourself why it is so difficult for you to believe your doctors. Missing something is far too expensive for doctors to do. They check and double check before giving a diagnosis. Lasting peace can only come about when you give up the idea that it's not possible. It is possible, and I have seen so may people recover. You are no different to them.  We all are given the same amount of courage, but it's how we use it that counts.    Take care, and try and be kind to yourself.   John.

[SighNoMore 62]

Hi John,

 

Thank you so much for your kind and tough live response. I truly appreciate it. 
 

I don’t necessarily feel like I am attention seeking, but I don’t discount it at all. I need dwell on that and get to the root of this. I think I worry because I do r want to die, leave family, suffer. Maybe at the root, it is attention seeking. I am not sure. 
 

I definitely want peace. I am trying to trust. It is just so very hard. 
 

Again, I can’t thank you enough for your thoughts and kindness.