| Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 75 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 75 | Hi All:
My mom called me last night and said my dad had small bumps on both sides of his neck. My dad had a Pet/CT scan about 2 months ago that came back fine. I have not felt them. But, when he first had cancer it was only on one side. We have our 6 week follow up at Dana Farber in about 10 days. Could the lumps just be infection? Just seems to be too quick, from his last test. I would like to know your thoughts.
Thanks, Boston
Squamous cell / BOT with lymph node involvment, Stage 4, HIV-, cisplatin 3 weeks of 7, stopped due to kidney issues and neuropathy,35 radiation treatment started 5/6/09,started weekly erbitux on 6/2/09. Completed tx on 6/24/09, biopsy 8/11/09 clean, PET Scan 10/5/09 clear, PET Scan 6/11/10 clear
| | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Boston,
The lumps could be a lot of things not necessarily cancer. It's easy for the mind to jump there of course especially after having cancer. If your parents are not comfortable waiting 10 days, get in sooner and have it checked out. It's really the only option.
Best of luck
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Boston - As others have said here, "sometimes a lump is just a lump" but the worrying and waiting can be horrible. So I do hope your Dad can get a much earlier appointment. It is very possible the doctor's office can switch things around to get your Dad in much sooner. It helps to impress upon the person you talk to how it is affecting all those concerned. When my son's first appointment with the H & N surgeon was scheduled for a week and a half away, I was in such a stressful state, my ex-daughter in law offered to call the doctor's office. She pretended to be still married to Paul and got the appointment for the next business day! Hope things go well. Let us know what happens.
Anne-Marie CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | Yup sometimes a lump is just a lump - infection, inflammation the flu - but save yourself the worry and book an earlier appoimtment., And good luck!!!
Last edited by Cheryld; 04-20-2011 07:35 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 131 Likes: 5 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 131 Likes: 5 | Boston, I'm in Boston too. Mass General under the care of Dr. Paul Busse. 35 years in head and neck rad oncology. Also, I had my surgery at Tufts by a Dr. Richard Wein. In my opinion Wein is the best neck surgeon on the planet. You can't even see where he took an egg size lymph node from my neck. I think it was over 25 stitches (all on the inside). Not 1 stitch showing. I don't know how he did it but he is "the man". Very well known. Gives lectures and symposes. In fact he is having one at the end of this month or the 1st week in May Cancer survivors go free. Just so you know I have been told that a PET scan can only pick up cancer about the size of a thumb nail (about a billion cells) (my tonsils only lit up because I had had tonsilitis a dozen times. Both lit right up but the tumor was left side 1ml. About the size of a broken pencil point tip) It took the lab 2 passes in pathology just to find it in that one tonsil. So... you'll want a biopsy, and as soon as you can. He's probably fine but get it checked for your and his peace of mind. Go see Wien. Use Will Zinn as a patient referal. Dad will love this guy. Also ask about the upcomming speach/talk/gathering. I can also get you the details. Please keep us posted. Will
Lump in left side neck discovered Sept 2009 Misdiagnosed & FNA inconclusive Large lymph node removed Nov. 2010 SCC and HPV16 pos PET pointed tonsilectomy Feb. 2011 1ml tumor left side tonsil Rads scheduled March 14th 2011. 2X36 GY's (72) CarboTaxol once a week X 4 or 5 starting 4/5/11 No PEG
| | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | I have lumps on both sides of my neck and have had them check out by my RO and ENT. Neither one of them are concerned and said that one of the lumps is a knotted up hard muslce due ot fibrosis. Like they all said sometimes a lump is just a lump.
Angelia 31 at Dx. DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth, T1NOMO, T2N1M0 TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09 PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement PEG/PORT: 11/09 TX end: 02/01/10 PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear PEG Out: 06/21/10 Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | |
Forums23 Topics18,251 Posts197,143 Members13,325 | Most Online1,788 Jan 23rd, 2025 | | | |