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#165825 06-01-2013 05:25 PM
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About one year ago i started having trouble swallowing and i had a soar throat. I noticed my glands were also swolen. The doctor ordered a cat scan, it showed enlarged nodules in my neck but said we just need to keep an eye on them. Ive had one other cat scan with no changes. Ive recently been having neck and head pain. The doctor ordered an MRI of my neck, it shows a mass on the base of my tongue. A cat scan of that area has been ordered. I am unsure if the enlarged nodules have anything to do with this mass but it sure makes me worry. Im still having the same problems that started a year ago. Everything i have read on the internet is not good. Has anyone else had these same probems?

Im so anxious to get the cat scan and results.

I hope to get some answers soon.

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Welcome Robinmarie. Stay off Dr Google, and let your doctors handle this, and come here to ask questions, and for support. You did the right thing going to the doctor. No scan can prove cancer, only a biopsy can. The next step after the scan results should be a biopsy, maybe a FNAB, Fine Needle Aspirational Biopsy, which is a quick, fairly painless procedure, to get a small sample of tissue from the lymph node under ultrasound guidance, usually by a pathologist, but some ENT's do it too. They are highly accurate when a proper sample is taken by anexperienced doctor. The pathologist can look at the sample under a microscope, and may be able to see if its cancer right there, but always sends it out for further histology, confirmation. Some doctors may want to do a surgical biopsy during an endoscope, triple scope. under general anesthesia, and proceed from there, if necessary.

It does seem suspicious, but there are other things that can cause similar symptoms, showing on scans like an infection, abscess, inflammation, to include the lymphs, which is basically the bodies sewer system, and gets clogged. No scan is 100 percent accurate. Is your doctor an ENT, who has experience with cancer? Depending on the results, you'll see what the next step is, and Florida is not short of excellent hospitals and doctors, if ever needed.

Waiting is the worst! Keep busy, and time will pass by quicker, so it seems. Good luck.


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PaulB #165827 06-01-2013 07:05 PM
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Thank you so much for your response. It was not an ENT. Im actually new to FL with no general practitioner yet. Originally when all this started i was having trouble hearing, went to an ENT. He said it was my sinuses. The surgery didnt help. Im still having that problem as well. So im currently seeing a prompt care physician but he is also a hospitalist. Ill quit googling but that is how i found this site. Ill stay here. Hopefully ill have more info on Monday.

Again, thank you.

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"OCF Canuck"
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Usually base of tongue cancer is detected once it moves to the nodes. You need to be seen by a good ENT one familiar with head and neck cancers. Not to say that's what you have but best to be sure - and the way to do that is get into see someone who knows what they are doing - best of luck


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
Cheryld #165829 06-01-2013 07:49 PM
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Thank you. I already feel like part of a group.

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Get to an ENT and perhaps he will do a FNA and hopefully get to the bottom of this.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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The Cat Scan did show a definite spot on the base of my tongue. They've referred me to an ENT. I'm waiting on a call with an appointment. Not very patiently but waiting. Does anyone know if a small spot is likely something? I just want an idea of what it could possibly be.

My glands in my throat are almost always swollen & a bit tender.

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"OCF Canuck"
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The next step is a biopsy that is the only way to know for sure. CTs show up inflammation, infection, even injury. What it generally picks up is areas of hyper metabolism, usually caused by some need to repair the area. So it could be a few things. However, push your dr. to make sure you get a biopsy asap. Depending on the hospital etc. it can take up to two weeks (usually a week - 2) to get your results back. Its a nail biting time so you want to end any question about what is going on asap. If it's cancer (not saying it is - but if..) then you are moving expediently and there will be less chance of it to spread beyond the point it has already reached. IF it isn't then you've eased your mind and can get on with your life. Don't let maybes paralyze you. hugs and best of luck.


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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Thank you. I will be sure to get the biopsy. I really appreciate the replies.

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The waiting is the hardest part. When I was going through the diagnosis process, waiting for appointments and test results was agonizing! Then, once I was diagnosed, waiting to get started was just as bad.

In the mean time, stay away from Dr. Google! Good luck!

"T"


57
Cardiac bypass 11/07
Cardiac stents 10/2012
Dx'd 11/30/2012 Tx N2b MO Stage IV HPV+
Palatine Tonsillectomy/Biopsies 12-21-12
Selective Neck Dissection/Lingual Tonsillectomy/biopsies TORS 2/7/13
Emergency Surgery/Bleeding 2/18/13
3/13/2013 30rads/6chemo
Finished Tx 4/24/13
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