Has the 2 year delay allowed the cancer to metastasise? I’m trying not to panic.

In 2024 I found a small lump in the lower part of my neck. After scans and biopsies I was told it was because of a wobbly tooth which I then had removed. When I went for my final appointment I told the consultant that I had found another larger soft lump under my jaw line. He said that they had done all the tests so not to worry. So I didn’t worry.

In February this year 2026 I felt as if something was stuck on the back of my tongue which didn’t shift after the weekend and the lump in my neck had gone hard and was very large. My left tonsil was red and strange looking. My Dr sent me with an urgent referral to the local hospital.

Blood test, MRI, Ultrasound needle biopsy that shows Squamous cancer cells and Im told I’ll be refered to another hospital. 

I didn’t hear from the Hospital so my husband (who is very anxious) and I had a Private appointment with the head of ENT at the hospital I was supposed to be referred to. He was able to access my results, told me it’s P16 and my chest CT scan isn’t clear as in, there are lumps showing up and has fast tracked me and as I’m 70 I won’t have chemo but will have 33 radiation zaps.

I had phoned every number I could find, leaving messages everywhere and had a call back on Monday with an appointment for the Friday. So the consultant moved my appointment to a day earlier, yesterday, when I had the painful experience of biopsies taken from my tonsil and my neck. (That soreness has already gone.)

I was told that the lumps in my chest CT scan may be nodes from pollution and they will scan me again in 3 months time. Also that lots of lymph nodes were showing as enlarged.

At this point in time I am fighting the thoughts that the long delay has allowed the cancer to spread to my lungs and am struggling with coming to terms with it.