Hi All,

Just back from ENT with MRI results. I think I have a pretty good handle on things, but would always appreciate advice from you. The results say symmetic palatine tosillar and lingual tonsillar enlargement. Small nonspecific asymmetric 3x6 area of increased signal and enhancement left aryepiglottic fold. Otherwise bilateral indeterminate cervical lymph nodes. Anyone else with similar findings?

I will be having a debriefing of my tonsils as well as a biopsy. The dr did another scope and said my tonsils are very enlarged. I will be put under anethesia with a possible overnight stay. They will call me back with my scheduled date later today.

He is not overly concerned about this, but wants to do the biopsy because the tonsils are so enlarged. He will be looking at the epiglottis (no biopsy there) as well as all structures in the area. He said the MRI showed no signs of node involvement. If it is cancer, he said the treatment would be radiation. I have to say how relieved I am that I don't have to have a ND, trach or feeding tube. I was so afraid of that.

This morning before the appointment I thought I would have a panic attack. My entire nervous system was in overdrive. Now, I'm feeling better. It sounds as if this is contained and small if it turns out to be cancer.

I went in prepared to do battle for the biopsy, so glad he was in agreement with that. What can I expect from the biopsy procedure itself? Will there be a lot of pain, bleeding, unable to eat? He said I should get pathology results within several days, unless they find lymphoma. Then it would be sent off to other labs for second opinions and would of course take longer.

Thanks for listening to my rambling.

Shannon~

Hi Shannon! So far so good! A biopsy is not a big deal. I guess that really would depend on where its located. Since your doc is planning on doing it while you are under anesthesia, it sounds like he is going to be checking you out pretty good. You probably will be sore for a day or 2 depending on what your doc does. Glad you prepared yourself for the worst, now you probably feel so relieved! If it does turn out to be cancer and you go thru radiation, you may end up using a feeding tube. There are far worse things in life than having to depend temporarily on a feeding tube. Lets hope for the best that everything comes back negative. Good luck!!!

Shannon, what you're about to undergo sounds a bit like the triple endoscopy procedure I had a coupla years back, the difference being that they already knew I had cancer when they did it. They were just trying to find the primary site.

Christine says it best. Your throat will be sore for a bit, swallowing will give you pain, you may even feel as if you have a lump in your throat. But all of that is very temporary. I was mainly glad to read "he is not overly concerned about this".

Hang in there. The anxiety is the worst part. Keep us posted - we're all always here for any rambling!

Hey... it's great they are doing a biopsy. Having it checked out is the only way to know for sure. Good luck - hopefully there won't be too much pain. take care and heal well.

Thanks guys!!! I'm greatly relieved I'm having a biopsy. I need it for peace of mind. I didn't think the biopsy would be too bad, just possibility of alot of bleeding. I read where others have had it with local anethesia, but my dr said there was no way I should be awake for this. Does sound like he's going to be prety thorough.

Have the feeling I'm going to be getting propofol since he said I will be paralyzed <ugh>. He said he did not want my vocal cords to move at all. Something about putting something under them to support them. He threw so much medical jargon at me, but since reaing these boards I feel much more educated in both understanding him and being able to ask questions. Thank you all so much for that.

Not out of the woods yet, but feel like I can handle whatever it is. There has been so much cancer in my family that it really had me scared. I'm right at the same age my Mom and sister got diagnosed. My Mom and Dad beat it and I know I can too, if needed. Lost my sister to colon cancer 4 years ago and my Mom to Alzheimers 1-1/2 years ago. My worst fear is putting my family through any more. Ny poor Dad has been through enough.

Hi Shannon,Glad your biopsy will be underway soon and you will then know exactly where you are at.
Propofol is not a paralysing agent. It is a sedative /anaesthetic agent and is widely used both as an anaethetic drug and for sedating critically ill ventilated patients. It's the drug that makes you go to sleep . They will however probably use a paralysing agent to ensure your tonsils do not move while they perform the biopsy.
Either way, don't worry as you will be completely unaware.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you,
Tammy