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#146560 02-29-2012 08:13 AM
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So we got back from holidays a few weeks ago and shortly after that I noted a new/old/reactivated lump in the right side of my neck - right on or near the scar line.

I called my surgeon and made appointment for March 7th. In the last few days this "lump" seems to have developed a head (like a bite) and weeps occasionally. I try not to disturb it as I want it to heal, but it alternately heals over then weeps again - and repeat.

Now I am the Queen of "Lumps" - Lord knows I have had a million of them in the last 8 years, but this one is different. If I could grant any cancer patient one wish it would be the ability to know definitively when to act and when not to - I hate this indecision.

Note: Despite the weeping the underlying lump appears to be unchanged.


Any thoughts on the lump?
Donna


Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
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Wow, Donna - I hope it turns out to be "just a lump". JMO but if there is a "when to act" and "when not to", I think I would act. Waiting 7 days or even 7 minutes can really be a crazy-maker. Any chance you could get the appointment moved up a little sooner? I don't know much at all about lumps, but hopefully someone else will be along with more recent experience.


Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)



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It sounds like it could be one of those mucoceles. Sorry, not sure exactly how its spelled. Ive heard about them and they are NOT cancerous. So lets hope thats what is going on. Try rinsing your mouth several times per day with the baking soda, salt and warm water mixture. This might help heal this sore. You are right to get checked out. Remember we are here for you! Please keep us posted.


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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It does sound like a mucocele but that's usually inside the mouth (inside the body) or inner part of the lip - mucocles can happen in other areas that have mucous membranes but the equivalent on the exterior body is a clogged pore - now since you said it was close to your scar - I wonder if it's a pore or sebaceous gland that's been traumatized by your previous surgery and radiation... Hugs!!! Hope it's nothing! We all have those things that make us go eek - I saw my RO today - he asked about thing a I saw my ENT about a month ago... (a small lump on my palate - turns out its graduation tissue from manual trauma - apparently) and I showed him something else - scar tissue (or so he says) - near frenulum on the bottom ish, gum area of my mouth behind my two from teeth. Anyway - during our conversation, he said if you have any concerns - best to have it checked out... So that's my advice!!! Take care!! And fingers crossed it nothing!


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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Update: Surgeon diagnosed it as a lump and did a biopsy. During general discussion about how long we had known each other he said "if you don't mind me saying, you sure have beaten the odds". For some reason him saying this FREAKED ME OUT!!!

During treatment for the second cancer he would not talk about odds, all he would say was "either you will die of this cancer or you will die of something else" which at the time I found both witty and as honest and real as it gets. Why then does this statement from him today bother me so much??

Being stage IV twice you would think I would have known this and I did, I guess. I think I didn't feel my case was unusual or special. Your thoughts????

Biopsy results in a couple of weeks. This cancer experience is certainly a mult faceted emotional roller coaster.

DOnna

Last edited by Pandora99; 03-07-2012 10:50 PM.

Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
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Donna - Maybe the doctor's first statement ("either you will die of this cancer or you will die of something else") which you found witty and honest was intended just that way to keep you from freaking out during treatment. His second statement about beating the odds I'm sure was intended to make you feel good about being in such a good place and having beat the cancer beast down and having done everything you did to bring yourself to this point. That roller-coaster is a crazy maker of emotions. It is so normal to freak out! It takes a while before we can get past the low freaking out points and be able to get back up, take the necessary healing steps, and realize that life is really good again. Hoping for good results from the biopsy and that the �lump is just a lump�! Whatever it is, you have already proven you are a fighter, an even stronger one now, and can do this!


Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)



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Donna I now it's hard... Even small things and comments can blow your mind for no reason. I think maybe the realization that he knew the odds weren't great upon your re occurrence is what he said what he did..l but the truth is no on knows even the most medically educated get it wrong because we are individuals and unique biological entities. wink hoping you'll get an all clear on your biopsy. Hugs and prayers!


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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Agreed Cheryl. Dr Nason was correct when he said "Either you will die of this cancer OR you will die of something else". No one knows any more than that - odds can be used for establishing treatment protocol, but after that they are irrelevant - we are all unique children of God.


Donna


Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
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My husband's ENT, when he was delivering the news that the biopsy was in fact cancer, noted that (as I was losing it - husband was still groggy from anesthesia) this was a life-changing experience. The writer part of me noted that that stating the obvious left a bit to be desired from the emotional support standpoint. Luckily, the emotional part was in control, so the writer did not say something unkind to our dear doctor, who was trying his best.


CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
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Donna, I know you are worried but try your very best not to get overly upset by your doctors comment. To me it sounds like it was a good comment saying you have beaten the odds. To me that makes me think his reason for saying it is that nothing is wrong right now and look haw far you have come. You went thru heck twice! Both times Stage IV! There arent that many Stage IV 2 timers out there.

You know the drill all too well. Keep yourself very busy while waiting for results. Im hoping and praying they come back as nothing serious.

You and I have some plans this summer, girlie!!!! Dont you dare go messing them up on me smile

(((HUGS)))

Last edited by ChristineB; 03-08-2012 05:22 PM.

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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