This is a cautionary tale about trusting your own instincts:
When Gordon found a lump in his neck in Oct., we were referred to an ENT specialist, who sent him off for a biopsy at the local hospital (Nov. 19). The results showed macrophages, which can be present to fight infection or CANCER CELLS, and benign appearing lymphocytes. The ENT said the lump was benign and that we would "have to keep an eye on it"!!!!! (I had read enough to know that 80% of neck lumps in adults are cancerous.) Gordon asked if it was possible that the lump might turn nasty in the future, and the Dr. said it was possible. At this point I jumped in and said, "no, I think what Gordon wants to know is, should he have it removed?", to which the Dr. replied "if it was me, I would" (and he didn't say this in the first place because????). So we were referred to a head/neck surgery specialist and got in very quickly (Dec. 12). He took one look at Gordon's neck, barked out "it's not benign and it's not conclusive", did another biopsy right there in the office, and ran the samples down to the lab downstairs. On Dec. 29 (and a Merry Christmas to you too) we got the bad news that there were cancer cells in the lump. Gordon had a radical neck dissection about 2 weeks later and the surgeon poked around and found the primary site (BOT) with his finger. That and all the lymph nodes removed got biopsied, and the rest is history, as they say. What if we'd waited? What if we had taken the first ENT's word for it? The surgeon probably saved Gordon's life. Never, never take anything for granted. Go with your gut instinct and push if you're not satisfied. Anne