Hi:

My dad completed his treatment exactly 2 weeks ago. Last night while putting some cream on his neck I noticed there is still a small lump. He originally had a lump the size of a golf ball and now it is just slightly raised. Is this common? Does the lump continue to shrink? Has anyone had the same experiance?

Boston

Please mention this to his doctor right away. It might just be scare tissue or an irritation but don't take any chances.

Sue

My 2 lumps were all gone before my Tx ended so I to would call this to the docs attention asap.

Thanks. He has a follow up appt. with his Radiologist in 2 weeks and then they are doing another biopsy. It is very small. We were told that the radiation continues to work for several weeks after your last treatment. I hope it is not wishful thinking. My father's oncologist said the lymph node could be surgically removed. This whole experiance has been so overwhelming. If not for this support group I would be lost. If I had it to do over again. I would have hired a nurse advocate. I do not think the medical professionals give you enough info.

The doctors are correct about radiation. It continues working even after you have stopped treatments. Just remember to take a few minutes a day for you. Even to take a walk outside and sit on a step, just to catch yoru breath.

Hang in there, try not to worry about the 'what if'. It will end up stealing your time and energy. Make the most of every day and before you know it, the biopsy will be done and the results will be back.

Boston,
It's always best to check with your doctor, but the same thing happened to Richard. It took several weeks after treatment before Richard's node completely shrunk away. The MO and the Head&Neck surgeon both predicted that the node would continue to shrink after treatment was completed and that's what has happened. The RO was concerned after the 2nd Cisplatin dose that the node wasn't shrinking more, so she insisted that Richard be switched to the Ebitux.
Today we saw the HEAD&NECK surgeon and she is very pleased with his progress. After the exam, she said that everything looked excellent. Tomorrow, he has an appointment with the RO and she will order the Pet Scan and whatever other tests to be done. We will be on pins& needles until we get the results, but the doctor commented today that the cancer was very small and she expected that the treatment was a success. I won't rest easy until we get the "all clear" report and we will probably always have that bit of unease about a reoccurrence. Take care...Geri

Geri:

Thanks for the information. Good luck tomorrow, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Boston

Hi Boston,
If it were me, I'd call the doctor now and let him know about it. If he says wait until the appointment, OK, but he just might get you in earlier. Why are you just noticing this now?

Take care,
Eileen

Hi;

This lump has always been there. It was the reason they originally discovered he had cancer. It is a lymph node. It was quite large prior to treatment and now it is still there but just raised. His dr has seen it and discussed with my mother surgically removing it. He has a follow up appt. with his Raidiologist and Oncologist in 2 weeks. Then they are going in for a biopsy. Thats what they did when they originally diagsosed him. He went in for day surgery and did the biopsy. Is this so uncommon? Should I be even more frightened than I am already?

Chris

Boston, I had surgery first followed by radiation which I am convinced is the better way. I have close friend that had radiation and chemo first, a small lump remained and then had the surgery to have it removed ( everything was fine - no signs of cancer ). He though seems to have had a far rougher time recovering from surgery than I did - healing on radiated tissue vs. normal tissue. Seems like it is 50/50 on this approach and highly debated. So, not that unusual but I went surgery first as I wanted that damn lump out and for them to do a pathology report on the lymp nodes then and there. Good luck to your Dad and let us know.