Hello,
I am really reluctant to ask for help and advice, and if I was not so confused and scared I probably would not. I think some of my symptoms are pure stress related, and I am more than aware of the people who are hatefull of this. I feel my face is completely numb and swallowing generates a dry crunching sensation in my throat. The throat symptom was the one I presented to my doctor with a lump on my soft palate. He refersd me to a maxillofacial surgeon. The surgeon inspected the lump and said it was were the two muscles meet in the roof of the mouth, one of them is fiberous and is the resulting lump. I have no reason to doubt this, but can't help BUT doubt it. He said he was so sure that he did not need to do a biopsy. I have looked all over the internet, used all types of descriptions in search engines, nothing other than minor saliva gland tumor (benign or otherwise) ever comes back. I also felt a small swelling in my neck, a node about the size of a kydney bean is there but comes and goes, does this not mean anything.
There are lots of things but I can't think straight enough to put them down. I pray I am just over reacting and will wake up soon. Reality, my doctor has inspected me, also a maxillofacial surgeon. I think maybe all I have read in the last few weeks has really got to me, does this sound sensible. A voice is really needed.
Oscar

Hi Oscar,

I can feel your stress and fear through your post. Many Doctors have missed DX oral cancer more than once. I would get a referral to a ENT and demand a biospy of the lump. You have to be your own advocate as it is your life they are dealing with. For piece of mind I would demand a biospy. Better to error on the safe side than rely on his judgement.
I went to my primary care physican three times for a sore throat and the first two times she blew it off as nothing. I only wish I knew then what I know now. Anything that doesn't heal in two weeks has to be checked further.

A second opinion is warrented here!!!

Dan

Hi Oscar,
and welcome to the forum. We have all freaked out at one point or another so you lots of company here. Remember when you read things here that many posters have had much more severe issues than the norm so it's easy to read the worst case scenario into it. I kept doing the "do your diagnosis stuff" and was wrong most of the time (I actually thought that one of my salivary glands was a recurrence) :p . These guys really do earn their medical degrees. The internet "information superhighway" is full of chuckholes too. I still have areas in my throat that change from time to time, sometimes day to day, and it's perfectly normal. You will be noticing things that have probably been there all along but now that you are good and scared they take on a life of their own (and that's ok because oral cancer is pretty scary stuff).

One other thing I discovered is that there are lots of knots in the muscles in the lower neck. This is very common, especially in people who work at computers a lot. If you have lumps in the upper neck these need to be investigated.

If, in the unlikely possibility that it is cancer than the quicker you have a accurate diagnosis and get into treatment, the better the outcome. If you don't have complete confidence in the current diagnosis (and it sounds like you don't or you wouldn't be posting here) then I would find the closest comprehensive cancer center and get a referal to a head and neck surgeon - and don't delay.

You didn't mention any other tests but a typical workup for head and neck would include:

MRI (sometimes CT)
PET (or PET/CT)
Chest x-ray
Nasolarygnascope (sp?). Fiberoptic scope down the nose
Direct visualization with mirrors and palpation
Biopsy/pathology report
blood work ups
kidney function test
hearing test

Except for the hearing test and kidney function (these are more related to the treatment part of it), these are ALL of the steps and data needed to have an accurate diagnosis.

Brian is a physiology wiz so I am sure he will have some things to tell you also.

Many things could be causing the symptoms you are describing. Don't freak out yet - it's NOT cancer until the pathology report is in. Keep us updated.

I am not embarrassed to admit that I took anti-anxiety medications for a long time.

Hi Gary,
Why do we need a kidney function test? It's the first time I have heard of this and am curious.
To Oscar,
If I've learned one thing it's that peace of mind is the name of the game here. Rather then search the internet for things that will scare the heck out of you, go get a biopsy done and then there can be no guessing. We all know what it's like to wonder and worry so please do what you can to take that anxiety out of your life.
Minnie

Daniel, Gary,
Thank you very much for responding.
Your words help very much.
Oscar.

Thank you Minnie,

I appreciate and take on board all that has been said.

Oscar

Minnie,
A kidney function test is a requirement for people getting chemotherapy. It's no big deal, they (actually you) collect and measure your urine output over a 24 hr time period.

Oscar,
although the term "biopsy" is a little creepy, they just take a tiny little snip and it is painless. They will numb you first.

What's a "maxillofacial surgeon"? Is that the same as an ENT? The point Dan and I were trying to make also is that cancer is easily misdiagnosed by health care providers outside of the head and neck specialty. The throat is one of the most sensitive and complex areas in the human body. That is why we univerally recommend seeing a head & neck surgeon or ENT, and preferrably one who sees a lot of cancer patients.

Hi all, A maxillofacial surgeon is similar to an oral surgeon, Maxilla = upper jaw

Not the same as an ENT

Hi,
Maxillofacial is a medical doctor, and also a dentist. (maybe not in that order ) Some may believe (I am inclined to agree) that one doctorate is enough to contend with (specialise in). By all means combine the two if a multi skill environment is an intention. But we are not talking electronic/electrics/mechanics here. Its fixing lives, not constructing materials. Should the neurologist become a neuro/cosmetic surgeon with a diploma in chidbirth. We can extend accolades to silver, gold and platinum, solid intent fortitude and Man United will always prevail.
Oscar

Nice Post Gary,

The point is you want a ENT Doctor that sees allot of oral cancer victims. I will never rely on a Doctors "judgement" in my lifetime again!!
No one gave me cancer and certianley not the Doctor. However when you don't know, Say so and call in the experts. Thats all I ask. Most people are afraid to challange a Doctor, Well they aren't much different than the average guy/girl. They are human and do make mistakes. We are the ones that have to live with their mistakes.

Oscar, Learn as much as you can and ask allot of questions about options and side effects. It's your life were talking about here!!!

Dan