Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4
#189630 05-19-2015 08:00 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Hi everyone,

I am a huge hypochondriac so please excuse my coming here without actually having a diagnosis. I am just so scared out of my skin at the moment that I need a place to express my fears, and to get some opinions on them.

For a week now, I feel a longish hard lump like structure under my chin, left side. It does not hurt, and it seems to already have grown during these days. It is about 2.5cm long (following the jawbone) and 1cm across. I can easily move it from behind the jawbone to the front, and then it naturally pops back, but since it is swollen it kind of 'hangs down' under the jawbone at the moment.

I am very worried about this because for over a month now, I have had the feeling of pressure in my neck (though on the right side), and one of my tonsils looks bigger than the other. I have been to a family doctor who looked at my tonsil and said that one looked slightly irregular, but not to worry. I stressed that I wanted a ENT specialist to look at it, and he gave me a referral, but this will only be in three weeks (!).

I know that 'sometimes a lump is just a lump', but this thing under my jaw is scaring the hell out of me. Its really big, and now I think I either have a cancer of the salivary gland, or a cancer somewhere else in my oral region that has already spread to my lymph nodes....

Should I press for an earlier appointment with the specialist? I feel like valuable time is wasted here....

Oh, and I am only 28 years old....how are survival rates for this type of cancer? I don't want to die frown

Last edited by anxiousmark; 05-19-2015 08:01 AM.
anxiousmark #189631 05-19-2015 08:37 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 2
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 2
anxiousmark, I suggest you find a lot of things you really enjoy and do them all while you are waiting for the appointment. Get off the internet and off of here while you know for sure, today you don't have cancer. Things can change in 3 weeks so you have the best possible opportunity to fill your days with happiness.

I am sure hoping you don't have oral cancer.


SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
anxiousmark #189632 05-19-2015 08:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 286
"OCF Down Under"
Gold Member (200+ posts)
Offline
"OCF Down Under"
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 286
Mark why do you think your family doctor says not to worry? A hypochondriac would go through a range of doctors before he found one he trusted, so why is yours dismissing this? There is a reason your doctor is not concerned with a 3 week delay to see the ENT.

We're not doctors here, only patients and carers. But I'll give you two bits of advice for free, take them as you like.

A big part of facing a serious medical problem, not just cancer, is the mental state you face it with. Look at the cancer path some of the people face here, and say "I don't know how they do it." Well they take it a step at a time, because that's all you can do. Your next step is the ENT in 3 weeks. That's it. You don't worry about anything past the next test, the next treatment, because if you worried about it all at once it would overwhelm you. So take it one step at a time, as calmly as you can.

Don't look at the internet for survival rates. When you do that you are faced with a myriad of unrelated conditions, statistics, trials, studies etc. What you are really asking the internet is "will this kill me" and of course the internet doesn't know, so you're left with an answer of "maybe". Get off the internet, otherwise you'll think every headache is a brain tumour.


Cheers, Dave (OzMojo)
19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil.
31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014)
11August2014 PET/CT clear.
17July2019 5 years NED.
OzMojo #189633 05-19-2015 08:48 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Hi Uptown and OzMojo,

First of all, thank you very much for your replies. I know the worst thing that I probably did was to go look on the internet -> I have a history of doing that with all the kinds of sicknesses I already thought I had but this time I really went over the top.

I will stick to your advice: wait and see, take one step at the time, and get off the internet....I will also see a therapist for my health anxiety...its destroying my life.

Thank you again for your responses.

anxiousmark #189634 05-19-2015 08:58 AM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 286
"OCF Down Under"
Gold Member (200+ posts)
Offline
"OCF Down Under"
Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 286
You're welcome Mark. I might come across a little harsh but what I'm trying to do is to use your own experience to illustrate the points, and I think you've got the idea. This is a great group of people, but its not a club you want to join. I hope we never see you again and I mean that in the nicest possible way! smile


Cheers, Dave (OzMojo)
19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil.
31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014)
11August2014 PET/CT clear.
17July2019 5 years NED.
anxiousmark #189635 05-19-2015 09:13 AM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Mark, what you have described sounds like a lymph node. This same thing happened to my son. It appeared out of nowhere and grew and within 2 weeks it disappeared. I would guess it cold be a sign you have some kind of infection or even just the common cold.

The rule about oral cancer goes like this...
Any sore in your mouth that does not resolve itself within 2 or 3 weeks should be checked by a medical professional. I would suggest waiting another week to see an ENT. You can start finding one today, it will probably take at least a week before you get in to get checked.

Try to relax! Worrying only causes unneeded anxiety which tends to make everything worse. People worry so much about "what if" that they make themselves sick. Worrying wont help or change anything so try your very best to stay busy so you can keep your mind from focusing only on this situation. Hopefully this will turn out to be nothing serious.

Best wishes.[color:#990000][/color]


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
anxiousmark #189650 05-20-2015 06:31 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
Okay so let's rationalize. You're 28 the demographic for HPV related oral cancer is usually 40's and up. This type of oral cancer is often detected in the nodes first and then they find the primary in the base of tongue (down the throat) or tonsils. Someone here can correct me if I'm wrong but we've never seen an HPV positive OC patient your age. So chances are it's not this type of cancer.

The other type - non HPV is a little trickier. It does pop up in the nodes but 99% of the time the primary is found on the oral mucosa (cheek, inside lip etc...)tongue or gums. I am assuming your dr. did a thorough examination. If there is a tumor or lesion on your tongue it's visible. Usually whitish red and often quite sore. on the gums and cheek it's visible though may be painless. This is often a heavy smoker and drinker's cancer.
There are younger people who get it, and people like me who have no precursors. But we are rare.

That said - its likely it's not cancer but rather an infection of some sort.

Call the ENTs office - explain how anxious you are. Tell them if there is a cancellation you are willing to drop everything and run in.

Hugs and blessings.


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
anxiousmark #189657 05-20-2015 09:47 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Hi everyone,

thank you so much for your responses. I feel a bit calmer now. I had an ultrasound of my neck today, and hopefully can expect the results by the end of this week.

I hope you don't mind me complaining to people who actually suffer frown

anxiousmark #189667 05-21-2015 07:31 AM
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Member
OP Offline
Member

Joined: May 2015
Posts: 9
Hi everyone,

It's me again. I'm sorry to bother you again but I'm really panicky at the moment.

I just realized that for over a month, I have been feeling a pressure on the side of my neck, under/behind my jawbone. It is as if someone is constantly pushing a finger on that area. It is not painful, but really bothersome. Now I started to get really panicky because it seems to me that this is the tonsil that is swollen outward. When I compare touching the side of my neck on the one side to the other, it seems as if the one side is much bigger, i.e. that the tonsil is potruding towards the outside....is this a symptom of cancer? I know I can go to a specialist soon, 2.5 weeks now, but I'm still very very worried....could this be anything else?

anxiousmark #189669 05-21-2015 02:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Offline
Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,507
Likes: 6
There could be any number of things besides cancer going on. Getting upset can only make you feel worse. Try to stay busy so you keep your mind off the "what if's". I know its really hard not to think of all kinds of scenarios. No matter what this is you can only take it step by step and day by day.

Make an appointment to see an ENT who specializes in oral cancer. They will be the most familiar with symptoms and giving you a thorough exam. Hopefully its nothing serious, only a common cold or virus.

Hang in there!



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
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

Moderated by  Brian Hill 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Top Posters
ChristineB 10,507
davidcpa 8,311
Cheryld 5,260
EzJim 5,260
Brian Hill 4,912
Newest Members
Jina, VintageMel, rahul320, Sean916, Megm37
13,103 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums23
Topics18,166
Posts196,921
Members13,103
Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020
OCF Awards

Great Nonprofit OCF 2023 Charity Navigator OCF Guidestar Charity OCF

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5