| | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | So I noticed this past weekend that I have a pea-sized lump in my cheek. It is completely painless and cannot be seen, but I can feel it if I pinch my cheek. I called my ENT today and she sounded a little concerned, but will not be able to see me for a week. Has anyone else experienced anything similar to this, and did it turn out to be cancer?
I feel that I have finally gotten over my incessant fear of a recurrence, and I am remaining calm, but obviously still pretty scared. I have been reassuring myself that since it is painless, i have less to worry about (as my last one was very painful), but I don't know how sound my logic is. i also don't know if this lump has been there for longer, i only noticed it because i had an ulcer in that area that I was feeling (the ulcer has since gone away).
Any responses would be greatly appreciated!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,294 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,294 Likes: 1 | Hi Emily,
Welcome back. Since you are on familiar ground, go back to your first journey and the bouts of unknowing and reactive those strategies that helped you cope with the uncertainty and waits.
Trying to ask if it is cancer is not is really just going to f.. your mind, so work really hard to forget that question and find a way to coexist with the unknown for this coming week.
In the grand scheme of things a week is not so long and will be here in no time as long as you don't spend all your time fixated on it.
Best,
Don
Don
Male, 1955
Great health except C
Dec '12
DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes
1 tooth out
Jan '13
2nd tooth out
Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT
4-6/2013
CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150
ended 5/29,6/4
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 4 | I know how you feel about recurrences, which are sometimes painless, so pain is not always an indicator. It could be an abscess from an infection, having had similar or may be something else. You did the right thing by calling the ENT, who can best identify what it is, maybe with further testing. If you weren't scared, you may not have called the doctor, so it works in your favor, sometimes. Keep us posted, and good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 | Emily, it could be several things besides cancer. You did the right thing to call your doc. They will check you out and if necessary do a biopsy to rule out cancer. Keep busy to try to keep your mind off the "what if's".
Best wishes!!!
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Hi there.. hopefully it's not cancer. I am not sure if it moves that way. An ENT could tell you more. I went to my ENT with a small bubble like thing near my collar bone (it was an air or fluid bubble and has since gone) he right off said well that would be very unusual as cancer doesn't usually move that way... (he's sees where it moves all the time) In all the time i've been here I haven't heard of spread to the Tongue to cheek ( though I imagine it can spread anywhere as we are all individuals wired differently. Generally it travels along the path of least resistance so I've been told, so along the nerves to the nodes, and nearby areas... I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I haven't heard anyone here having that happen... anyone ??? I imagine if it has happened then they will be along. I have heard of spread from cheek to gum which makes some sense, and vice versa, and tongue to tonsil and throat...
It could be scar tissue from your treatment or a number of things... fingers crossed its nothing serious... and many hugs... push to see her before then if possible call and ask to be put on a cancellation list.
Last edited by Cheryld; 03-19-2013 09:31 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | Thanks for the feedback! Cheryl, you had temporarily made me feel much better! I didn't sleep a wink last night, I have been trying to mentally prepare myself for a recurrence and have been pretty upset. I figure though if it is a recurrence, the fact that there is no pain must mean it would be in early stages, right?
My ENT (who happens to be my aunt) is out of town all week, but she said i can see her when she gets back on Saturday. She sounded a little alarmed, and then everything i have been googling online has made me more alarmed.
i had a few drinks over the weekend, which irritated my mouth. i am hoping the lump had something to do with some irritation. I will keep y'all posted though if anything new develops!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 10 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 10 | Hi emily,
I have a painless round moveable lump in my cheek too. Does your feel like it has a duct / vessel attached to it? Is there also one on your other cheek in the same spot? My right lump is larger than the left, but both feel like they have ducts attached to them. I believe they are actually enlarged baccal lymph nodes. Mine have been enlarged for about a year I believe, but sometimes they suddenly get smaller. So if you have one in the same spot in your other cheek, even if it's a little smaller, or if your lump feels like it has a duct or vessel attached to it, I wouldn't worry so much because it's almost certainly not a tumor. If it's a lymph node, look into why it's enlarged though. I plan to ask my doctor about mine when I see him.
Last edited by Dan721; 03-29-2013 10:05 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | Thanks Dan, mine is just on one side.
I also now have a new sore spot near the lump, so i insisted on seeing my ENT today and getting a thorough inspection. The doctor is pretty sure the lump is just a blocked salivary gland, and the sore spot is just some irritation as a result of radiation. Rather than biopsy it, he decided it would be less intrusive if i just move my CT scan up (I am scheduled to have it every 4 mos and my next one is not until end of May, so they will just move it up a month). I temporarily feel relieved, but we'll have to wait and see what the results are! they may still end up biopsy-ing the new spot if it isnt gone in a week, since it is probably too small to show up on the scan. ill keep you guys posted!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 805 |
Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | Finally had my CT scan and it came back all clear!! They said the lump in my cheek is most likely a blocked salivary gland. Thank the Lord!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 |
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 |
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 | Congrats!!! So glad it turned out to be nothing serious.
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 |
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | WONDERFUL NEWS, Emily. What a relief, huh? These things showing up are always scary, CONGRATULATIONS!
julieann
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer | | | | | Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | Hi guys, I just wanted to provide a recent update regarding the painless lump. 3 months since my CT scan, the lump was still there. My doctor felt that although it didn't show up as cancer in the scan, it was best to remove it and biopsy it since it never went away. I had my biopsy on Friday, and got the results today - not cancer . This confirmed what we already thought, but was good to have that added confirmation. The doctor and pathologist believe it was something called fatty necrosis (i believe), which most likely resulted from my radiation. Anyway - just wanted to share in case anyone else experiences anything similar!
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 |
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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