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merrywinner
merrywinner Member Posts: 626 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I am looking for any information. The situation is brand new and I apologize for only having very limited info yet. My Daughter has been having problems with some headaches over the past 2 weeks. The MDs ordered a CT and MRI of her head yesterday which were normal of the brain. They did however find a 1cm lesion or mass in the post pharyngeal area. I don't know any more other then they want to do a CT with contrast within the next week or so. With all of your collective experience how worried should I be at this point. She is 30 y/o and has 18 month old twin girls. She is in good health. I appreciate any help and thanks in advance. Mary

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  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
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    Biopsy
    A biopsy is about the only sure way to determine if it's something cancer related to be worry about.

    As for now, be concerned, but not worried...

    Best,
    John
  • merrywinner
    merrywinner Member Posts: 626 Member
    #3
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Biopsy
    A biopsy is about the only sure way to determine if it's something cancer related to be worry about.

    As for now, be concerned, but not worried...

    Best,
    John

    Appreciate response.
    Thank you for the speedy reply. Concerned I am but may be too early for full on worry. I'll take that advice. Mary
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #4
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    question
    they did a CT, and an MRI, and now plan yet another CT, this time with contrast? Did I understand this correctly? Has anyone actually looked at her throat yet?

    best regards
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #5
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    question
    they did a CT, and an MRI, and now plan yet another CT, this time with contrast? Did I understand this correctly? Has anyone actually looked at her throat yet?

    best regards
  • NJR
    NJR Member Posts: 82
    #6
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    Very New
    A lesion can be anything. Like Skiffin said, the only way that Cancer can be positively identified is by performing a Biopsy. As far as how worried you should be? Well, that is generally going to be directly proportionate to how much you like your daughter. It isn't like you're going to have any control over it. Personally, I think I would try and look at it from the perspective that they only found one small anomaly which would indicate having caught it at a very early stage. That makes a world of difference in her prognosis should it come back positive.

    Best wishes to both you, and your daughter,
    Nick
  • merrywinner
    merrywinner Member Posts: 626 Member
    #7
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    question
    they did a CT, and an MRI, and now plan yet another CT, this time with contrast? Did I understand this correctly? Has anyone actually looked at her throat yet?

    best regards

    Not yet.
    No one has looked at her throat so far. She had the CT and MRI because of some migraines and the area was seen "accidentally" on the MRI. Now they want the CT with contrast of that area. This is all coming from the ER Docs. Thanks. Mary
  • merrywinner
    merrywinner Member Posts: 626 Member
    #8
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    NJR said:

    Very New
    A lesion can be anything. Like Skiffin said, the only way that Cancer can be positively identified is by performing a Biopsy. As far as how worried you should be? Well, that is generally going to be directly proportionate to how much you like your daughter. It isn't like you're going to have any control over it. Personally, I think I would try and look at it from the perspective that they only found one small anomaly which would indicate having caught it at a very early stage. That makes a world of difference in her prognosis should it come back positive.

    Best wishes to both you, and your daughter,
    Nick

    Thank You!
    She is everything to me so I am really worried but it is early in the game so I may be premature. I just know from experience how important these early days can be and feel the need to get it right from the beginning. I know I have no control over it but do have some over how it is handled etc. Thanks, Mary
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #9
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    merrywinner said:

    Not yet.
    No one has looked at her throat so far. She had the CT and MRI because of some migraines and the area was seen "accidentally" on the MRI. Now they want the CT with contrast of that area. This is all coming from the ER Docs. Thanks. Mary

    the Er doctors
    are good at what they do. That is emergency room medicine only. they have no special training nor skills tomdo this kind of workup. An examination should always come before ordering $10000 worth of tests, which toma great extent duplicate each other. She needs referral out of the ER environment, and off the ER testing merrygoround. if she doesnt have an FP, have her request an ENT referral now. testing to be ordered by the ENT after office visit.
  • merrywinner
    merrywinner Member Posts: 626 Member
    #10
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    the Er doctors
    are good at what they do. That is emergency room medicine only. they have no special training nor skills tomdo this kind of workup. An examination should always come before ordering $10000 worth of tests, which toma great extent duplicate each other. She needs referral out of the ER environment, and off the ER testing merrygoround. if she doesnt have an FP, have her request an ENT referral now. testing to be ordered by the ENT after office visit.

    Yes!
    Thank you for literally spelling out what I have already been thinking. I think we need to take matters into our own hands beginning today!! Thanks again, Mary
  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #11
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    ENT for sure
    I agree with the others, go to the ENT. As for worried. No one can tell you whether to worry or not, you will worry any way. The question is, "What are the chances it is cancer?" I would say what Skiffin always tells me and others, "It aint cancer until they say it is cancer." I have a daughter too and even though I know worry doean't change thiongs it still would worry me to some extent.

    If you are a person of faith, call everyone you know and have them pray constntly for good results. I will be praying for your peace and your daughters situation to be something minor.

    Blessings, Debbie
  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    #12
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    Nothing to add
    Merrywinner,

    I can't add to what has already been stated above. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be thinking of both of you as this progresses and you have a final answer.

    My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

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