Thanks, Paul. I have no history of heart problems or diabetes. The appendages themselves are not numb, its very surface level like the skin is numb. I was curious about nerves because I had a similar issue on my head in a neck compression accident when I was much younger, but the numbness went away in a number of hours in that situation.

I know a biopsy is the only way to diagnose, but the doctors have refused to perform one, even though they acknowledge it is enlarged. Since blood work is all I have to work off of, I was just curious if metastasis would elevate inflammation markers, white blood cells, or lymphocytes.

Jon,

Cancers, like leukemia, lymphoma can show low WBC, and lymphocytes, which are part of WBC, I believe, and many other conditions, diseases, cancer treatment. I would think cancer itself, not just metasteses, whould show abnormality in whatever test is used, and don't think they would differentiate between the two, except a biopsy, and you would have to have or had cancer for a metasteses, but I don't know much about this. I have a few herniated discs, and had then pressing on the nerves. A nerve test by a neurosurgeon can tell if there is nerve abnormality. One is called an EMG, electromylegram, which I had. Maybe go to a different ENT or do if you didn't.

Neck MRI came back showing an abnormal lesion affecting the ninth and tenth cranial nerve. Due to the location of the lesion, the MRI is inconclusive as to what this "lesion" is. My interpretation is that it is more towards the brain stem. Doctors aren't even sure where to go from here currently.

This type of thing sound familiar to anyone?

I guess the location is actually in the "jugular foramen" between the mastoid and the mandible. I can feel it but it doesn't protrude visibly.