Dear Lexi,
I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this with your mom. I would also have a million questions if I were in your situation. You shouldn't just accept everything the doctor says without having explanations and concrete information. It sounds like your doctor wants to reassure you that he is not going to waste time in treating your mom IF it is cancer, which is a good thing! However, after the internal exam, for example, I would ask the doctor:
1. Why are you treating this as cancer without a scan?
2. What kind of cancer (A REALLY CRUCIAL DETAIL)
3. If yes, what stage? (Also important detail)
Ask your doctor when will you get results on the scan. Please DO NOT lose hope!! You barely have any information yet. You don't even know if it is cancer for sure. Were you at the appointment with your mom or is this what she told you?
Regarding some of your questions......Yes, it could be nothing or something or something else. Treatments for cancer are usually chemotherapy and/or radiation. The chances of it working depend a lot on the type of cancer, location, and whether or not it has spread.
It sounds like you and your mom need to talk to your doctor again. Don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you have.
Take a deep breath, and take things one day at a time. Good luck, and I'm here if you want to talk.
Punky