Hello,
Nice group of people you all are! So much information! Thanks in advance for reading my question.
About me, I'm a fit 45 male with no health issues. However, just went through a year with my wife who had cervical cancer who just hit one year post treatment (surgery and radiation) so familiar enough with cancer to be scared of it. Last November after a quick cold I noticed a swollen gland in my neck about an inch below my jaw (pea sized) that wasn't going away. I ignored it because it must be related to my cold. Busy holidays and didn't think a thing about it until I was shaving and was like, 'hey, this silly thing is still her...and feels a bit bigger'. Ignored it. Sometime towards end of January kept feeling like something was stuck in my throat and have had tonsiliths before so figured it was one of those but they normally work themselves out; at the same time was like, 'hmmm, dang gland is STILL there!' Had a dentist appointment for end of Feb so thought if it was still there then I'd ask him his thoughts. Dentist during my annual exam took xrays etc, said teeth are perfectly healthy but definitely didn't like the gland and sent me to ENT. Had family visiting in March for 3 weeks so didn't see ENT until end of March. I can't stand going to doctors mostly because of growing up with my Dad as one who always complained about patients with imaginary symptoms etc.; it took a bit to convince myself maybe I should take this serious but then the ENT spent about 5 seconds feeling my neck from behind before saying he doesn't feel it (about the size of a nice table grape). I was like, "am I going crazy because it is there!?!" Anyways, he goes, "look, your perfectly healthy and this is nothing to worry about but I'll get you an ultrasound to put you at ease". Hmmpf! I nearly didn't make the ultrasound because his nonchalant attitude but they called and convinced me to come in.
I went in last week and ultraound radiologist found it right away physically and with the scan (32x13x10mm) and said def needs a biopsy and has a necrotic core. Not sure what that means totally but dove into google and came across some article that said in 75% of 40+ year old males with enlarged neck lymph node the node is cancer. Whoah! More google and came across this site. Life is busy so stopped thinking about it until yesterday where they did the needle biopsy (is five samples normal?). That radiologist's comments were, looks like a normal node, nothing to worry about but I'll likely see you again as these biopsies are notorious for not getting enough material to conclusively diagnose (so why don't they take more?!?).
Anyways, a night of poor sleep and more googling and decided to post here. I feel like I should avoid google but hard not to once you open that can of worms. Also realized some minor issues I've been having might be related such as a nonstop headache and numbness in my nose? After my wifes cancer I never wanted to consider this as a possibility again and hope I'm not headed down this path.
Question is what is your take on the differing comments from the 2 radiologists and overall thoughts? I know it means nothing until biopsy results in a few weeks but curious....
Hello ColaradoKiwi , it is very surprising that the ENT consultant, / registrar could not feel it as I'm sure you told him exactly where it was, but I'm afraid that you can get good and bad professionals (mainly good), but at least he sent you for the ultra scan with a fine needle. These radiologists are normally spot on with what they say as they know from experience, so its good that he is not overly worried. He/she is correct in saying that more might have to be done, like a lot of biopsies they sometimes do a take two as the first did not show anything so it's a bit belt and braces. Can I just say I had oral cancer and during recovery, I noticed a lump like yours but a bit lower down, I was treated with a better attitude and because of my cancer he did not want to take a chance and like you I had an ultra scan with needle where the samples taken came back clear, the lump is still there today and has been for 10 years as I opted to not have it removed, it has never given me any trouble since so hopefully it will be the same for you . I do advise to steer clear of Dr Google as it can mislead you and others, before long you have every disease under the sun. I know most of us are all guilty of it, although not me. Mainly because in 2008 the home computer was not that common then, and no smartphones. Best wishes and good luck with the biopsy results. Take care.
Chris .
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
