Where to start. Back in August my wife (42 y/o) woke up with a golf ball on the upper right side of her neck. Ultimately ended up with a US, which showed a 3.1cm x 2cm x2cm hypoechoic mass. Differential was complex cyst vs neoplasm vs lympadenopathy. ENT order a FNA. radiologist extracted white opaque fluid, and said it was benign right when she pulled the stuff out. We were thrilled. The lump went away after the fluid was extracted. Later that day the cytology report came in " Atypical squamous cells with a background of acute inflammation, branchial cyst vs Squamous cell mets lymph node. She followed up with ENT who said we could also do a CT scan, but since the lump went down we didnt. 2 weeks ago, she came down with a mild/ normal upper respiratory cold, and sure enough the thing starts coming back. ENT sends for CT scan. Results " In the right jugulodigastric chain there is a solid/cystic lesion measuring appx 2 x 2 x 3.5 cm. The cystic portion measures roughly 1.5 x 1.8 x 1.7 cm. No surrounding inflammatio or edema is seen. The lesion is separate from the Parotid gland. the rest of the CT scan was unremarkable. Impression: Solid/ cystic lesion suggesting prominent lymph node with cystic component. Differential includes metastatic lymph node vs type 2 branchial cleft cyst." N

Now we have a US guided core biopsy scheduled this coming Monday. Figured Id start here as if its cancer it looks like it would come from the oropharyngeal region. Shes never smoked or drank. Which I know doesnt matter much it seems. The other thing is she was born via Csection and both of us have never had any type of sexual relatins of any kind with anybody else (weve been together since late teens. Just scared, frustrated that after all these tests we keep ending up with nothing definitive. We both just want it cut out and sent in, but alas here we are.

Hi Josh,

Welcome to OCF and thank you for reaching out. I am so sorry to hear of your challenges and back/forth with this diagnosis. I was diagnosed with stage 4 SCC on my tongue in March of 2020. I recall that feeling well of the "what-ifs" and the anxiety. You just want definition so you can develop a plan and start fighting. After all my exams and meetings, I had to wait for the Cancer Board's final recommendation then a surgery date, etc. I clearly remember after I got a final surgery date, and it was fairly soon, hanging up the phone and running circles around the living room pounding my chest yelling "LETS GO!! CUT THIS S&#! OUTA ME! APRIL FIRST...LETTTSS GOOOOO!" as my wife just stared at me confused why that made me so excited. It felt so good to know the cancer would soon be out of my body.

Your story will certainly relate to others so please keep us up to date. Hopefully someone who reads this has been through similar to you and can comment more specifically about your process.

Best,
Nels