Worried about cancer

  • 1 reply
  • 40 subscribers
  • 501 views

hi, few months ago i started feeling light headed, and experienced vertigo few times, and then my ears started ringing(first only right ear was ringing, but after a week, it was in both ears, it is louder in right ear) at the same time i got a cyst on my sublingual gland and my right tonsil was bit swollen, went to gp and he found my tympanic membranes were  bulging, he prescribed me antibiotics, and asked me to get blood test done, (results were fine expect low vitamin D) but i still had same issue, by now my swollen tonsil got a white spot on it, and lymph nodes under both of  my ear lobes also came out, so GP referred me to head and neck specialist, and he asked me to get hearing test done, (which was normal) and then he sent me for head and neck soft tissue MRI.

MRI revealed incidental midline nasopharyngeal non enhancing cystic focus which maybe in keeping with either mucosal retention cyst or tornwaldt cyst and mild mucosal thickening of paranasal sinuses, and ranlula in salivary gland, and no abnormally enlarged  or necrotic cervical lyphm nodes everything else was normal.

Now after 3 months ranula has gone down, but my tinnitus and lymph nodes are still swollen, i went  back to specialist to get lymph nodes and right side swollen tonsil checked, he says that he can’t feel(even though i can feel them, they have decreased in size a bit) them and tonsil also looks normal.

i am still worried that swollen nodes and single swollen tonsil might be cancer, he has referred me to ENT for tinnitus though.

Thanks  

  • Hi Ghilliedup

    Welcome to the online community and hope you are finding the support and information helpful.

    This sounds like a really difficult time for you right now.

    Its good news your MRI has come back clear, and your consultant isn’t concerned about your current symptoms in relation to your   a cancer diagnosis.

    The MRI is a very comprehensive scan and shows a lot of detail and is used to diagnose a broad range of conditions. It can even pick up abnormalities obscured by bones that other scans may not pick up

    However, it’s human nature to always think of the worst-case scenario. This isn’t always the case as I’m sure other people on the community have already said this.

    Regarding lymph nodes and tonsils being possibly swollen this can happen as they are part of the lymphatic system which helps fight and avoid infections. which can cause them to enlarge  to fight an infection or being infected by a virus or bacteria. Usually in time they will return to their normal size without any medical intervention.

     

    In situation like this where you still have doubts and worries about your symptoms being related to cancer we would usually discuss asking for a second opinion so that no stone is left unturned .

    With you being referred to an ENT consultant for your tinnitus would be the same as this so you could discuss your concerns further with this consultant to help put your mind at rest.

    If this still doesn’t put your mind at rest it may be worthwhile going back to your initial consultant to discuss your concerns further

     

    You will know your own body better than anyone else and if these symptoms don’t improve further or worsen or change don’t hesitate to go back to be reviewed again at any point.

    On this platform it can be difficult to have a two-way conversation and to fully understand what you are going through.

    If you’d like further explanation or have any other questions, please feel free to recontact us. Or if you think it may help to discuss things with someone outside the loop please feel free to give us a call or contact us via our web chat platform.

     

    take care

    Keith, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref KM/DT