 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Just so we can really scare the casual visitor here,
I was in to see the regular doc, about something entirely different, in september of 2000. He was doing the regular checkover and found a lump under my jaw. He asked how long I had had it and I did not even know of it. Tragically, he did not make a big deal of the lump, so FIVE more months went by before I got the diagnosis. Prior to that needle biopsy I had ABSOLUTLEY NO SYMPTOMS! no sore throat, nothing. Further the cancer itself was not visable during the standard mirror down the throat thing.
While sore throats are almost always benign, Lumps should be checked right away!
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.
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