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Hi everyone,

Thank you for all of the great advice. I had my appointment today and my ENT suspects it to be either a salivary stone or a tumor. He doesn't think it's torus palatinus how sudden it appeared, and the location that it is in.

I'm set up for an MRI Thursday morning. I wanted to ask, how does an MRI differ from a CT scan? Also, would the MRI be enough to properly diagnose it, or should I push for a biopsy as well?

Last edited by michaelj; 11-12-2018 08:10 PM.
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I'm going to be praying for a salivary stone! It's great that he didn't immediately say it was cancer.

The difference between an MRI and a CT scan? My understanding is that the MRI uses magnetic fields and radio frequency whereas the CT scan uses x-rays. If the radiologists suspect anything he will request a biopsy (or at least state in his report enough information to where your doctor will know to order one). If not, and if it makes you feel better, I would go ahead and request the biopsy yourself.

I know when my oncologist is looking for cancer in me, she always orders a PET scan!

Time to start asking your doctor these questions.

Hope the studies are going well!

Susan


Susan
04.12.16 1st surgery; rt partial glossectomy; neck dissection; 2/38 lymph nodes positive
05.12.16 Resected T2, N2b, M0
05.24.16 Rad, Cisplatin
10.03.16 Clear PET
04.11.17 Clear PET
06.09.17 1st recur
06.21.17 2nd Surg: rt partial glossectomy; forearm free flap; rt thigh skin graft
11.09.17 2nd recur
11.30.17 Nivolumab
02.06-16.18 Brachytherapy
06.12.18 3rd recur
06.12.18 Lt axillary lymph node SCC
07.05.18 Pain pump placd
08.23.18 Pump removd
10.29.18 PET-CT responds to treatmnt


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Only a biopsy will tell the doc exactly what the tumor is made up of. Taking a tiny sample of tissue directly from the tumor will give much more info than any kind of scan which is pretty much an enhanced photo.

Since Im not a medical professional, my understanding is very limited about all the different scans. From what I know, a CT is very quick pic and works best for bones while MRIs are best for muscles (soft tissue). MRIs take much longer (around 45-50 minutes) than CTs and may have contrast (dye) added for even greater clarity.

Hopefully whatever you have going on is not cancerous! Please let us know how you make out. Good luck!!!


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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Hi Susan and Christine,

Thanks for you advice!

I had to cancel my MRI. I pushed for a biopsy because it would take forever to reschedule an MRI, wait for the MRI results, then schedule for a biopsy, then wait for those results. I have sinus surgery in four weeks so I am trying to speed up the process. I was sent in a whirlwind trying to schedule a biopsy with cytology and pathology, but was told that they can't biopsy the roof of my mouth for some reason.

So now my doctor is offering to surgically remove the lump for me. I feel that might be the quickest and most direct course of action to figure out the nature of what is growing on the roof of my mouth. I assume/hope he will send it to testing. More updates to come.

Michael

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Hi Michael,

I was hoping you would post an update. I guess I'm not sure why they can't biopsy the growth on the roof of your mouth either...interesting.

If it was me, and knowing that this spot has been bothering you, I would first find out what is all involved for your doctor to remove it and will there be any side effects. Then I would have it removed!

I don't believe I've asked this but have you gone for a second or third opinion? That was one thing I made sure I did - especially since doctors can have different opinions. Just a thought if you haven't already done so.

Keep us updated!

Susan


Susan
04.12.16 1st surgery; rt partial glossectomy; neck dissection; 2/38 lymph nodes positive
05.12.16 Resected T2, N2b, M0
05.24.16 Rad, Cisplatin
10.03.16 Clear PET
04.11.17 Clear PET
06.09.17 1st recur
06.21.17 2nd Surg: rt partial glossectomy; forearm free flap; rt thigh skin graft
11.09.17 2nd recur
11.30.17 Nivolumab
02.06-16.18 Brachytherapy
06.12.18 3rd recur
06.12.18 Lt axillary lymph node SCC
07.05.18 Pain pump placd
08.23.18 Pump removd
10.29.18 PET-CT responds to treatmnt


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Hi Susan,

I have an appointment with the doctor to discuss the surgery next Monday! It's frustrating because his secretaries wont let me speak to him; I have to make an actual appointment to have a conversation with him and it slows down the process.

I really wanted to get multiple opinions, but this lump appeared at the least convenient time. The bureaucracy of healthcare makes things incredibly slow and I have another operation lined up after I get this lump removed.

See.... I broke my nose 8 years ago, had an unsuccessful operation to fix it 4 years ago, and scheduled another (and hopefully final) nose operation that is taking place in December with a top surgeon near my hometown. I've had this booked for nearly a year and would hate to cancel. I'm away for college and the operation is taking place around Christmas when I go home, so I'm on a tight schedule.

On one hand, I'd love to breathe again. On the other, if this is cancer in my hard palate, there is a chance that it is also in my sinus cavity. I need this lump tested as soon as possible - if a needle biopsy isn't possible for some weird reason, then I guess I have no choice but to have it cut out, considering my time constraints.

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Just discovered a tender, swollen lymph node in my right armpit... about the diameter of a penny. Anything to get worked up about?

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Hi Michael,

Sorry for the delay in responding....

Just the other day I found a similar spot under my left arm. I waited a few days to call my Oncologist to see if it would go away by itself - well, it didn't. I called Mayo and she thought it was cellulitis and prescribed an anti-inflammatory along with an antibiotic. Within three days it started to drain (a substantial amount), which leads me to believe it was an abscess. I see my Oncologist tomorrow and will know more after she looks at it.

I would let your doctor know what you've found and then I would just keep a really close eye on it.

Hope this was helpful....

Susan



Susan
04.12.16 1st surgery; rt partial glossectomy; neck dissection; 2/38 lymph nodes positive
05.12.16 Resected T2, N2b, M0
05.24.16 Rad, Cisplatin
10.03.16 Clear PET
04.11.17 Clear PET
06.09.17 1st recur
06.21.17 2nd Surg: rt partial glossectomy; forearm free flap; rt thigh skin graft
11.09.17 2nd recur
11.30.17 Nivolumab
02.06-16.18 Brachytherapy
06.12.18 3rd recur
06.12.18 Lt axillary lymph node SCC
07.05.18 Pain pump placd
08.23.18 Pump removd
10.29.18 PET-CT responds to treatmnt


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Posts: 9
Susan,

How are you doing, ever find out what caused your swollen lymph node/abscess?

Mine turned out to be from a virus which was awful and long-lasting so I took some antibiotics.

I had an MRI, nothing came back odd but my doctor wanted to move forward with the surgical biopsy just to be sure. I was knocked out with anesthesia for a couple of hours. The operation wasn't too bad, much easier than having wisdom teeth removed. Still not sure why they couldn't just fine-needle biopsy it, but it is what it is.

I'll find out what the lump is on Monday! The entire left side of my hard palate is 100% numb as of 15 hours post-op, which has me concerned because my speech is ever so slightly off now.

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