Back in December 08 i found a lump in my neck. I went to doctors and he examained me as I initially thought it was mumps. (I wish it was now)
Gave me a week of penicillin as they thought it was an infection in my lymph nodes. After a week of tablets it had not gone down any, so they referred me for a biopsy. I went on the 30th December and in January I got my results to say there were malignent cells from the biopsy.
They gave me a choice of three but after an MRI scan they opted for Salivary Gland Cancer.
On the 16th January 2009 I went into hospital for an operation to remove the lump, salivary gland, tissue and lymph nodes in the area. Surgery went well and i was discharged on 18th January.
When i went back for my results I was stunned to find it was not salivary gland cancer but melanoma within my salivary gland and it was in 7 of my lymphs node and two of them had burst.
I am now two weeks into my radiotherapy and 23 days left. I have another full body ct scan soon and am a little bit worried that it may have spread as it was in my lymph nodes.
I have tried to remain positive and am still working full time but the side effects have started to kick in.
Is anyone at this stage or know anyone who is going through what i am?
FormerMember
Hi Unkysheep,
So sorry to have to welcome you to the unpredictable world of melanoma. I've had a metatastic spread of the disease to the lymph nodes in my groin, like you a locum GP dismissed the lump as "just one of those things" but luckily my usual GP referred me immediately to dermatology where a fine needled aspiration confirmed the worst.
Following the removal of all the nodes in my groin and pelvis in February 2008, I remain NED - no evidence of disease, but that gives me little comfort or reassurance.
Good luck with the rest of your radiotherapy, and fingers crossed that the CT scan shows no evidence of any further spread of the disease.
