About 9 months ago, I noticed that the lymph node behind the back of the jaw on the left side was being pushed out from behind my jaw. It wasn't really swollen, but it freaked me out, so I went to the doctor. Doctor said that it wasn't really swollen, did a CBC (which came back fine), and sent me home.

Five months or so ago, I never thought much of it, but there started to be some blood in the mucus in my left nostril, which has been pretty consistent since then.

Just recently I really noticed the lymph node again, and started messing with it. The more I noticed it, the more i felt like that side of my face was inflamed with jaw pain, ear pain, etc. During this time also, It felt like there was a lump in my throat, which subsequently would feel inflamed. I also recently noticed a weird hard line on my tongue, which does not hurt and is not ulcerated.

I could say I have not treated my body with the most respect, as I am 28 years old have been using dip for the last 7 years or so and smoked a bit before that. A couple years ago I watched a friend of mine pass away from metastatic testicular cancer at the age of 25, so I am incredibly concerned. This last month has been really hard.

I have seen a couple doctors, who have mostly attributed this to TMJ, and I have had regular dentist visits, all of which are aware of my tobacco use. I am going to see the ENT today, and I guess I just want to make sure they will do everything necessary for detection. Will they be able to scope me today? Should I ask for CT, MRI, PET??? The blood in my sinuses has recently been the thing that scares me the most, cause that seems to be a big indication of cancer. I never thought much of it because I am a casual boxer, and used to get bloody noses all the time even before that.

Any advice or encouragement would be much appreciated!

A biopsy is usually in order to determine cancer in tumors. I'd ask about that as you are concerned. good luck don

Welcome Jon. You are right to be concerned about your health. You do have suspicious symptoms that needs to be looked into, not just with a CBC, complete blood count, but it can be something other than cancer too, and probably hindered of different causes with the same symptoms.

I would at least ask for a FNAB, fine needle aspiration biopsy, of the enlarged lymph node, which can be done by an ENT, I never did with my six FNAB, that were done by an experienced pathologist, who can even see by the sample slide right then if it's cancer, but is always sent out, or in house, for further pathology, confirmation. It's basically painless, takes 10 minutes in the office or hospital, and pretty accurate, high 90% range, and a biopsy is the only thing to prove cancer. A CT or PET scan in addition. A scope, which is done on your visit, may have other findings, and can dictate a different plan of action than what I mentioned. Some may want to do a a triple scope, under anesthesia, with biopsy, other surgery, work-ups to rule out cancer, but it's not cancer until proven by biopsy, but still is investigated as cancer suspicion, until proven otherwise too

Sometimes there are no symptoms with some type H&N cancer until its advanced or very advanced.

Good luck.

Thanks, Paul. I'm hoping a scope will at least turn up something.
At least this has gotten me to quit everything tobacco for over a week. Would they do a biopsy of the node through the neck? Is that something I should press for? The node itself hasn't really gotten any bigger, that's why I'm wondering if its something behind the jaw.

The ENT will know best. The biopsy, even if a FNAB, probably will not be done on your initial visit, at least here it won't, and never experienced it done done like that, and yes, through the neck with a very fine needle, after numbing agent is applied. There are over 300 lymph nodes in the HN, mostly microscopic, and behind the ear, jaw, can be level II lymph nodes, which is one of the lymph chains in the cervical neck from level I though VII, and different areas, have different Lymph drainage, which help in treatment planning, being that's where cancer may likely travel, if it is so.

So the doctor felt around and looked around a bunch, then scoped my nostril and throat. She said everything looked fine and that she wouldn't want to do a CT scan because it would be unnecessary exposure to radiation. I guess I am still worried that there could be an issue that is not visible, as she did agree that my lymph node is still swollen. Would it be a good idea to get a second opinion? I don't understand why they wouldn't want to do an MRI or anything. This whole thing is so frustrating and I don't want to go undiagnosed until it gets way worse. What can I do?

I had several scopes, and no suspicions were seen, but the swollen lymph node was a sign of possible cancer involvement, and I was sent for a FNAB that confirmed two cancerous lymph nodes. If HPV related, they usually don't show indications of cancer, pain, until advanced stages, and usually a swollen lymph node. No ulcer lesions, like tobacco related.

Thank you so much for the responses Paul. Does that mean I should request a FNAB? They seem hesitant since the nodes aren't incredibly large.

I should add that the one behind my jaw in particular has stayed the same size for the last 9 months or so. I don't think it is getting any bigger but it's hard for me to tell really.

Jon, I would suggest you seek out an ENT who specializes in treating oral cancer patients. Not because thats what I think is going on, but because an experienced ENT will be more familiar with your symptoms and know what your symptoms mean.

Ive seen so many people come thru here with similar complaints who were "sure" they had oral cancer only to find it is something much less serious. Im hoping your situation turns out to be non-cancerous! Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by so many different things besides cancer. Sometimes when people are very concerned about something they will see things a little differently than what they really are. Stress has a nasty way of making someone view their symptoms as more than they really are.

My suggestion would be to take this as your wake up call and eliminate all forms of tobacco from your lifestyle. There are many known cancer causing additives in tobacco. Chewing tobacco is in many ways worse than cigarettes as the fiberglass cuts your gums allowing the chemicals direct access into your bloodstream. But cigarettes come with their own set of health issues. Use tobacco long enough and you can be fairly certain to develop some type of serious health condition. I am missing half of my lower jaw as a result of my smoking habit. Yes I quit (cold turkey too) but it was much too late, the damage was already done. Hope this scare will enlighten you to get rid of the smokes/dip now and never go back to using it.

Best wishes!