| Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | 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)
| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | 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.)
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 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: 6 | 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. 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: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | 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
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | 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)
| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | 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.)
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | 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. 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
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | 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)
| | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | 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.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 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: 6 | 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 (((HUGS)))
Last edited by ChristineB; 03-08-2012 05:22 PM.
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 | | |
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