Hi folks.

My mother (44) has a small swelling in the lower part of her neck which has been diagnosed as a cancer* on the basis of FNAC, Biopsy, CT-Scan and PET tests. Five years earlier she had developed a pea-sized lump in her palate which, on suspicion of being a cancer, was thoroughly removed by surgery.
While she is to undergo surgery in the neck now (to remove the affected lymph nodes), there is a complication that the CT-Scan, FNAC and PET suggest the presence of cancer in the earlier site also (the palate). A biopsy in the same region, however, reveals no cancer there.

This discrepancy is making us very worried. The operation suggested in case of cancer in the mouth is going to be highly invasive probably involving removal of bone and installation of metal-plates. We wish to cling to any hope that this could be avoided. My mother finds surgery very traumatic.

It would be very helpful if someone could give a professional opinion on what could be causing this discrepancy, or even share a related experience.

Thanks,

Ankur.

More information:
* I am not sure of the exact type of cancer, though I read the word Adenocarcinoma in one report. Metastasis is Low grade everywhere.
* She has had a hysterectomy at age 33.
* We are undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai (India). While the place is held to be in high repute in India, it seems to cater to an overwhelming number of patients and our experience here leaves much to be desired.