Hey all
In 2020 i had treatment for tonsil cancer with spread to one lymph node, it was a complete response. They noted a small parotid mass at the time but didnt treat it (thought to be benign)
My first consultant did say it needed monitoring but my second consultant was uninterested in it as it was 'only 3mm'.
At my last july check up i mentioned the parotid tumor and he had clearly forgotten about it and gave me a blank look. Once i got him to check his notes he remembered and said he would order a scan to check it for peace of mind.
Roll on to this friday, still no appointment after five months waiting, i get a call late on friday saying 'your scan is monday morning at a hospital 50 miles away' ... i was due to leave the country first thing Monday on a long planned business trip so said i would have to reschedule as it was simply too short notice. I know- this was a mistake, but i thought it was a routine thing.
It was on my mind all friday, so i booked a private scan for peace of mind at ultrasound plus in birmingham for today, very professional and thorough, sent the images and report to me within hours, they said there is a mass there, which is now 13x12.9x13mm so it has grown about a centimetre in 5 years.
Obviously i now wish i had cancelled my planned trip and gone to the NHS ultrasound despite the ridiculous lack of notice given - i have sent the report and images to my consultants secretary
However will they look at the report and images as it is a non - NHS source? a friend who had knee issues was unable to get her GP to look at private scans so i am a bit worried
On the positive side the sonographer said he couldnt possibly diagnose but he didnt think it 'had the typical characteristics of malignancy' because it was well circumscribed had no extra blood supply and was a regular smooth shape etc, but that i needed to go to GP or consultant given my history.
I think it would help if i understood the terminology in the sonographers report perhaps? (below)
SOFT TISSUE NECK SCAN DONE WITH PATIENT CONSENT. FINDINGS:
THERE IS A LOBULATED HETEROGENEOUS WELL CIRCUMSCRIBED MASS IN THE RT PAROTID GLAND, MEASURING (12.9X13.0X12.9) MM.
NO ASSOCIATED INTERNAL NEOVASCULARITY IS DETECTED ON COLOUR DOPPLER. REST OF RIGHT PAROTID GLAND AND LEFT PAROTID GLAND ARE UNREMARKABLE.
ANTERIOR NECK TRIANGLES ARE NOTED WITH MORPOLOGICALLY NORMAL LYMPHNODES.
BOTH SUBMANDIBULAR GLANDS ARE UNREMARKABLE.
IMPRESSION: .
RIGHT PAROTID HETEROGENEOUS AVASCULAR SOLID TUMOUR, MEASURING 13.0MM WIDEST. PATIENT REFERRED BACK TO GP FOR FURTHER MANAGEMENT.
Thanks.
Hi trev finally you’ve been seen. Glad it’s out your mins at rest. Keep in touch
Hazel
Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz
My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now 6 years post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help
2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers
Just a brief update, i finally got a response from my consultant - it was a letter i received yesterday saying 'just a quick note to say all looks reassuring and i will see you at your scheduled appointment in July.
The letter was dated 13th feb, so either it wasnt posted for some time or got lost in the post.
I think they are just going to monitor it every five years or so? but either way i am reassured.
Thanks all.
Trev
but either way i am reassured.
Thank heavens. It's been a bit of a rocky road. Thanks for letting us know
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi Trev fab news thanks for letting us know. Now grr on either living.
hugs
Hazel xc
Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz
My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now 6 years post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help
2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers
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