I haven�t posted for some time. I got used to being normal again. Restarted my business and rebuilt my life. I wasn�t a patient any more, just a normal guy. Just over a month ago I noticed a firm spot under my jaw. I saw my ENT and he was concerned but not overly concerned. I mentioned that I was scheduled for two root canals in the following weeks. He said I should get those done and then we might want to schedule a PET. He said any infection from the tooth might skew the PET.
Got PET yesterday and call from ENT today. He is now officially concerned, wants me in for a biopsy on Tuesday. He said the lymph node was fairly large and lit up the PET. This node is behind and under my jaw so it probably went unnoticed for some time. I do have some pain in that area but chalked it up to the bad teeth.
ENT was fairly certain that this is a recurrence based on size, doing the biopsy to be certain. I had been on a 6 month schedule with him so this thing had some time to get away from me.
I don�t want to go through radiation again and possibly lose ability to talk or swallow. Don�t even know what the procedure is for a node removal after prior treatment other than the neck dissection. I assume I�ll do chemo at least this time, may look into a trial or something after that. I�ll be in the poor house if I lose my ability to speak or swallow, and I fear dragging my family in there with me.

OK �..I�ve vented

Hi Kelly, I'm glad you are getting the biopsy. The lymph node may be enlarged due to your dental problems. My ex-husband had a root canal and presented with a swollen lymph node. We didn't make the connection at first. We got conflicting opinions about it from his doctors--yes, it could cause the lymph node to swell...and...no, it wasn't the cause. The swelling ended up not going away because it is possible the infection settled in a branchial cleft cyst in his neck...it was swollen for 9 months before he went to a doc. He lit up a PET scan (actually on both sides) because he had throat infections just two weeks prior. PET scans are notorious for false positives.

My signature says more. But, try not to panic. It isn't cancer until the biopsy says it is. My ex's RO planned radiation therapy based on his PET scan without a biopsy. The nodes on his neck recovered...long story short...he doesn't have cancer--his MRI last week was clear.

Keely,

Hang in there and let's hope it's not positive. Nodal pain is usually something we don't see with SCC.

Sandy,

Thanks for the input. I told my son �Hope for the best but prepare for the worst�. By the way my ENT did hold out the idea that it might be a deep infection, but based on my history and the location and size of the node, his tone of voice said he was not encouraged. He knows I spent a good deal of time on this forum and am more knowledgeable than most of his patients so he was very upfront with me.
I did ask about a neck dissection and he went over the basics but quickly went to where we all know I should be and that is the biopsy. He wants me to just sit tight until we know for certain. I was amazed at how fast he moved having heard all the stories on this board. Scan one day, answer the next and biopsy the next business day (makes for an even longer weekend).

David,

The nodal pain is more associated with the nerves that the node is pressing against of late. The node itself does not hurt. Let�s hope for the best.
You would think that I would know better than to jump to the worst possible conclusion, but it�s very hard to restrain that initial reaction. Sandy�s story does give me some consolation to cling to until the biopsy results are in. It�s going to be a long week.

I totally agree - it's hard not to jump to the worst case scenario! However I'm holding onto hope that sandy's right ! I thought the same thing - root canal? Possible infection? Etc... Pet and cts light up as you know for - infection, healing areas, some scar tissue, inflammation. - fingers are crossed for you that this is not a recurrence! take care!

Hi Kelly, while we wait for the biopsy report. Let me be very honest with you. My dad also had an enlarged node on his right neck (Level 2-3) and externally it was not much palpable. It just seemed to be a neck sprain to my dad with some swelling. As suggested by his ENT, he went for a CT scan only to find that it is a large mass.

I also checked with my dad's ENT in hope that it could be something else but since he know me very well, he was outright to say certainly from his experience and tumor's appearance that it is a recurrent nodal metastasis. Did a FNAC just to confirm if it was reminiscent of his previous cancer and a PET-MRI to see the spread.

Sometimes doctors deliberately sugar-coat facts so that whatever time you have before treatment can go off well. I wish you do not have go through it all over again.

Hope the test turns out negative, Good luck!! Semper-Fi Bob

@Kelly: Being cautiously optimistic is wise. It is painful to have to tell older children about this illness. My sons are 21, 18, and 12. They are old enough to know the ramifications of a cancer diagnosis but not old enough to have much of an outside life to distract them from what is going on at home. Younger children don't understand much of it and older children have their own life and, in most cases, are busy caring for a family of their own. For those who are pre-teens to young adults living at home, it turns their whole world upside-down.

I am sorry that your son has been through it once with you...and is now worried about a recurrence. My heart goes out to both of you. We rode one hell of a rollercoaster with my sons--a cancer diagnosis, a DX from a major CCC that said it wasn't cancer, and then two more DX's that said it was cancer (one was a set-up and one erred on the side of caution.) The turmoil is reflected in their school work, their personal relationships, and their plans for the future. It is all so sad and unfair.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that it is a benign condition! Please keep us posted on what you find out.