| | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | OP  "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 875 | Hi Forum Family:
I was having an MRI prescribed by an allergist, who was testing for possible metal allergies on caps, crowns I've had since my procedures (ended 1/08). Don't know why she wanted an MRI of my head. She called and told me the results showed a "mass" somewhere behind my nose area and that was way out of her league, so I had her send me, radiation oncologist, and ENT a copy. My radiation oncologist sent me an email and said she wanted to have more area shown on MRI and so I had another MRI with neck area included, today. I see her, and the ENT Tuesday. The radiation oncologist said she didn't think it was cancer (yeah, right), because of all the tests I've had recently. I'm scheduled for a 6-month CT scan later this month; tests I've had were for probable causes of sweet putrid mucus I have 24/7.
Here is what the report said, which really scares me: There is mucosal enhancement and possible mass in the the posterolateral left nasopharyngeal wall. Given the history of tonsillar cancer, this may represent recurrence/residual tumor. This contrast-enhancing mass measures 3.7 x 1.7 cm.
I am really scared, and always freak out waiting for results of any test I have (call me the Queen of Wimps!), but just wanted to ask you all to please pray for me and that I do not have a recurrence. Thank you so much.
julieann
Last edited by Brian Hill; 07-10-2011 05:25 PM. Reason: fix typo
Julieann Nov 2007 SCC on right tonsil following tonsillectomy. Was smoker, QUIT. (Stage IV T2 N2b) 7 weeks radiation one day/wk chemo (carboplatin and 5-FU). Allergic to Taxol; PEG in, lost 30 lbs. TX completed January 2008. PEG out mid- 2008. PET/CT 1/17/2011;2/3/12 NEGATIVE for cancer  | | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Julieann - Positive Vibes and Prayers going your way right now for everything to be all OK!! You are NOT a wimp! We all freak out with anything that those ugly "what-ifs" do to us. Don't let them! You are taking charge and doing what needs to be done. Concentrate instead on what the oncologist said about your good progress so far. It could just be ugly allergy gunk building up. There is just as much chance for positive things happening so try to stay with that and keep busy. And let us know what's happening.
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: Apr 2011 Posts: 267 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 267 | You are definitely not a wimp! Please let us know how things go on Tuesday. Hopefully all your worry will be over nothing. I will keep you in my thoughts.
Tracy - 33 at diagnosis
SCC right ventral tongue Dx 4/11.
T1N2M0
1st resection 5/11.
Bilateral neck dissection: 2 pos nodes
2nd resection w/graft 6/11.
Erbitux x 11 completed 9/11. IMRT x 30 completed 8/11.
3 month MRI and PET/CT all clear.
6, 9, 12 and 24 month post treatment MRIs all clear.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | You are certainly not a wimp! All of us are so frightened with any change in our health issues. We are so worried that any ache or pain, no matter where, means that cancer is back in some manner.
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,918 Likes: 65 | These often (and did in me) turn out to be benign polyps that can easily be removed in a simple surgery. They shrank mine with inhaled corticosteriods for a couple of months, then took it out in a 30 minute procedure. I even had a deviated nasal septum fixed at the same time, that I of course have had my whole life.
I tell you my story just to show you that sometimes things are not what we think, given our common predilection for anxiety attacks when something new comes up. I was scared to death when this showed up on a scan several years out.
I hope yours also turns out to be something benign that is easily dealt with.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,409 | Juliann: we're all equally scared waiting for results of tests. It's just being human. I'll be keeping the positive thoughts flowing your way.
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 15 years all clear in 6/24 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 291 | Juliann,
All I can add is that those radiology reports all read like that when they see something that could be construed as a mass, doesn't seem to me like their wording is exceptional. Not that it wouldn't scare me too. And of course they have to check it out.
Wishing you the best,
Anne
SCC tongue 9/2010, excised w/clear margins:8 X 4 mm, 1 mm deep
Neck Met, 10/2010, 1 cm lymph node; 12/21/'10: Neck Diss 30 nodes, 29 clear, micro ECE node, part tongue gloss, no residual scc
IMRT & 6 cisplatin 1/20/11-2/28/11 at MDA
GIST tumor sarcoma, removed 9/2011, no chemo needed
Clear on both counts as of Fall, 2021
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 571 | Hi Juliann,
I will most certainly remember you in my prayers. I will send positive thoughts as well. Please keep in mind the 'what-if' Brian has mentioned...that's a good what-if to think about. In the meantime, try to occupy yourself with other thoughts and activities that keep you from thinking about it too much.
I am sorry that you are going through this very frightening situation. My heart is with you as are my prayers that it is something benign and easily remedied.
Love,
Sandy
xoxoxo
Ex-spouse MISDIAGNOSED with SCC-HN IVa 12/10. Tonsils out 1/11. 4 teeth out 2/11. TX Erbitux x2, IMRT x2 2/11. 2nd opinion-benign BCC-NOT CANCER 3/11. TX stopped 3/11. New doctors 4/11. ENT agrees with 2nd opinion 5/11. ENT scoped him-all clear 7/11. Ordered MRI anyway. MRI 8/22/11 Result-all clear.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | My friend Julieann, please try your very best to keep yourself busy and keep your mind active so it doesnt keep playing the 'what if' trick on you. I know how scared you are but you just cant be sick!!!! Listen to Brian, he is one of the smartest people Ive ever known. You dont know what it is at this point but you will get to the bottom of it.
(((HUGS))) and prayers to you!!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | 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 | Hey Julianne - I agree with everything said here... It could be nothing. Possibly something benign. Also sometimes MRIs are misinterpreted. They are only as good as the person reading them - if you breath when told not to, or swallow it can blur the scan. Please try not to worry until there's reason to- Plus your oncologist sounds unconcerned - that's a good sign. I'll still say a prayer for you and hope you don't need it! And cross all digits too - hugs and take care
Last edited by Cheryld; 07-10-2011 08:13 PM.
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
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