TGF,
In the words of my Ear Nose & Throat Doc (I rember them well) "There are many things that can cause a lump". Some are not a serious problem. I know life is busy but IF it is one of the serious things, time is not a help. I do not want to scare you but be assured anyone who has been through the treatments for the serious problem will tell you to get it checked thoroughly and soon. Pain is not always an indicator for cancer at the beginning.

In my case I had a doctor who was not too concerned at first. That was 6 months before a friend (a pathologist) told me in a very terse way to get it checked out! I probably owe my life to him. I too was busy and it didn't hurt, it wasn't changing, and I felt absolutly fine, just a firm painless small lump. In addition I was "too young" and no tumor was seen. It still was a bad thing for me. According to my surgeon 50% survival bad!

If you read in this forum there are several folks here who were mis-diagnosed at first. This is not to say that yours is a serious problem (and I truly hope it is not) but YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR SURE.

If you need an excuse, print this post and bring it with you show it to your doc. Tell him/her you are there to make me happy.

Don't forget to let us know the results.

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.