Thanks, everyone. I think the reason for the ultrasound is to evaluate the density (apparently, you can guess what it might be based on its ultrasound properties like whether it's hard to soft, etc...although I'm not a fan of medical guesswork). Also, if they ever biopsy it, they will use an ultrasound (especially since right now, the radiologists don't agree on where the lesion is, and I really don't want them to hit the wrong place).

Unfortunately, they refused the ultrasound-guided biopsy and told me they already booked a repeat US and appointment this fall, but that's too far away for me. So, I booked an appointment with a major medical center. I'm seeing an ENT/H&N surgeon who's supposedly familiar with the HPV-OC connection, so in addition to evaluating this parotid/lymph/whatever issue, I'll be asking him for a full OC examination. I'll have all my records so perhaps they'll let me get the biopsy there.

I know I'm definitely not too young for OC, irrespective of HPV status. The difficulty is in getting my physicians to listen and take action! Even mentioning it causes them to dismiss me as a paranoid hypochondriac (I hate that label as it pretty much ensures you don't get properly evaluated). Does anyone have any tips on how to get a doctor to listen and take you seriously? I thought about taking medical literature from this site but was advised against that. I didn't have this problem at Hopkins because they were already well-versed on the latest.

Has anyone here had a core needle biopsy? I read it takes a bigger specimen, gives more information, and is more sensitive than a FNA/FNB, but that it has a higher likelihood of spreading cancer or tumor cells elsewhere.

I really appreciate everyone's feedback. Thank you.