Hello all,
I suspect that I have Nasopharyngeal Cancer. I went to a specialist this week, however I didn't receive much clarity on anything. The symptoms I am experiencing are the following:
-a small lump a on the back of my neck towards the right side. It is a little larger than a pea and it is around two fingers distance below my hairline. The lump has been there for a little over a month. It is firm, doesn't move under the surface, and doesn't hurt to the touch, Tinnitus (aka ringing in the ear) I have had it for around 3-4 weeks now. It has only been in my right ear up until today and now I have begun to hear it in my left ear as well, but it my right ear is significantly louder. I have had a Feeling of fullness in my right ear only for about 2 weeks, headaches around the perimeter of my forehead and face down until my ears for a week or two, and fatigue no matter how much sleep I get I am tired all day. I also have mild hearing loss in my left ear that was found by an audiologist conducting a hearing test at my appointment this week.
These symptoms I am experiencing all align with the symptoms of Nasopharyngeal Cancer, yet the specialist I saw did not seem to be overly concerned with any of my symptoms. He is not the best rated specialist, but his office was the only one open with availability not over video-chat right now (because of COVID-19 many doctors are only taking appointments over video chat right now). I'm hoping that I can eventually get somewhere regarding a diagnosis of something with this doctor. He is attributing the lump in my neck to being a swollen ligament and directed me to take an anti-inflammatory twice a day for five days to see if there is a change. I truly believe that it is a swollen lymph node, and I continued to say this, so the specialist said if it still doesn't go away and I am still concerned I can get an MRI of my head and neck. I am also scheduled for a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response Test next week to further test my hearing. I tried to research this a little but it is mostly used in infants, young children, and animals, so I didn't get too much help from the internet.
I also am going to try to switch specialists soon if this one doesn't get me anywhere, because all I have gotten so far is the need for more hearing testing and a reluctant 'yes' to an MRI over my neck lump concerns.
Does anyone have experience with my symptoms or any advice for me? I would greatly appreciate any input as I am very nervous about this. Thank you in advance!
Are you in the UK?
I’m afraid nobody here can help you with your diagnosis. We can help hold your hand and give support once you have one though.
My advice, if you are concerned, is to get a second opinion and an MRI.
There are so many things other than cancer it could be.
I hope it’s nothing and you can get on with getting better.
Good luck
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Good evening doglover123, sorry that you are not happy with how you have been treated and would ask for a second opinion, I think looking up symptoms on the internet can be very misleading as it has now convinced yourself that you have this cancer where it could be something else. I once thought my cancer had returned as it showed the same symptoms as I experienced my previous cancer so I did not look anything up i just got it looked at by my consultant who after tests and x-rays found it to be a tooth with a hole in it . So maybe this could be a similar case for you, let's hope so. At least the scan will give them some indication of what is happening. Wishing you all the best, take care.
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
