Small Tumor or Viral Wart Reoccurring Cancer or? I am Scared

HobbsDoggy
HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I have not been on here for over a year.  I had my last radiation/chemo two years and three months ago.  I had HPV related cancer.  Three scans have been clear and my quarterly neck check up always clear.  The ENT doctor scoped me and said I have a small growth in the soft tissue back of neck/mouth on right side.  My cancer apparently was on left side of neck, i had a non specific site cancer.  He said not likely that the new growth is cancer and most likely a viral wart.  He is going to remove it next week and also send it for a biopsy.  I of course as terrified.  While the doctors here are very good its no Cleveland Clinic.

Has anyone else had this happen?  Any input on how much my terror is justified? 

I am afraid that if its cancer again its over for me.

Sorry to be so needed, but any help would be great.

 

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    I haven't had any thing like this happen....

    at least the physical part of it....the emotional part, I certainly have.  Is your fear justified?  Certainly, you've been through hell and you've come back.....we've been bitten by the cancer bug once, so getting it again is always kind of hanging over our heads.  Is your fear rational?  Probably not.  The doctor said it is most likely not cancer, and as we always say here...'It ain't cancer till somebody in the know says it is.".....

    I think most of us have gone through a time like this....at least once since treatment ended....where the fear is over the top....take some deep breaths, find something to do to keep you busy, ask God to remove the fear (I literally say out loud "God, you take this, I can't stand it anymore")....and run that mantra through your mind over and over "it ain't cancer till somebody says it is"....cuz it's not!!!  I'm putting my money on the Dr.'s opinion....probably a wart.

    p

  • HobbsDoggy
    HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
    #3
    phrannie51 said:

    I haven't had any thing like this happen....

    at least the physical part of it....the emotional part, I certainly have.  Is your fear justified?  Certainly, you've been through hell and you've come back.....we've been bitten by the cancer bug once, so getting it again is always kind of hanging over our heads.  Is your fear rational?  Probably not.  The doctor said it is most likely not cancer, and as we always say here...'It ain't cancer till somebody in the know says it is.".....

    I think most of us have gone through a time like this....at least once since treatment ended....where the fear is over the top....take some deep breaths, find something to do to keep you busy, ask God to remove the fear (I literally say out loud "God, you take this, I can't stand it anymore")....and run that mantra through your mind over and over "it ain't cancer till somebody says it is"....cuz it's not!!!  I'm putting my money on the Dr.'s opinion....probably a wart.

    p

    WOW! You helped

    Words of wisdom for sure.  I am going to give it to God and figure He can handle it better than me.  I also agree that I need to listen to the doctor.  I don't think that any of us, and me for sure, will even be able to get rid of the fear completly and it will come and go.  On the off chance it is cancer, which I agree seems unlikely at this point, its off to the Cleveland Ciinic to let them and God hand the cancer.  I cannot tell you how much your words are of comfort.  Thanks

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #4
    Three thumbs up

    I offer words of encouragement based on three things. One - Your ENT says it doesn't appear to be cancer. Two - You are over two years out from treatment and past the major time zone for recurrence. Three - It ain't cancer until cancer until proven, so it just is NOT cancer. Please do your very best to enjoy these days rather than taint them with worry. Make the most of what you have each and every day. I'm sure you will be fine. bye

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #5
    To be, of not to be...........

    Yes you are scared. We all get scared when some shows even on our skin as SCC is a skin canser. Bur try to remember "It's not cancer until a doctor says it is", and your ENT dod not say it was, he even said not likley. SCC is a flat cell and the doctors can look at it and pretty much have a good idea. Mine say mine and could only take a brushing as a biopsy was to dangerous for him at the time. I was in the hospital getting my lungs scopped, but he was afread he could not stop the bleeding, [I was in a hospatal, what better place could I be] so he took a brushing. When I woke up to ask how my lungs were he said, I could not get past your vocal cords, and I think you have throat cancer. He took some photos and a brushing but new I had cancer. A year and a half I got a strange looking mole on my side of my chest and had my local Dr look at it. He said it is not cancer but I will freeze it off any way. Once you have it it is the first thing that goes through your mind, sorry but it does. 

    He will remove the wart and have it checked out. So to answer how much terror is justified, none, you do have the right to be concerned but it will turn out to just be a wart. Now take a big breath, and try to relax, [I know that is not easy].

    You have had two years of NED and will get another NED as well. When I found out what I had and they had it T4; N2; M0; I did a lot of praying, Only asked for the strength to handle what ever it was, not for a cure or miracle. My prayers were answered ten fold. It was T3; N0; M0; and no chemo or radiation, just surgery. Lost my larynx and had 86 lymph glands removed but they got it all, and I can still talk.

    The odds it would be cancer are extreamly small, but if it is, you will beat it as well. You know you will always have the support of your friends on this group and will never be alone. However you will be fine with this.

    Bill

  • HobbsDoggy
    HobbsDoggy Member Posts: 276
    #6
    wmc said:

    To be, of not to be...........

    Yes you are scared. We all get scared when some shows even on our skin as SCC is a skin canser. Bur try to remember "It's not cancer until a doctor says it is", and your ENT dod not say it was, he even said not likley. SCC is a flat cell and the doctors can look at it and pretty much have a good idea. Mine say mine and could only take a brushing as a biopsy was to dangerous for him at the time. I was in the hospital getting my lungs scopped, but he was afread he could not stop the bleeding, [I was in a hospatal, what better place could I be] so he took a brushing. When I woke up to ask how my lungs were he said, I could not get past your vocal cords, and I think you have throat cancer. He took some photos and a brushing but new I had cancer. A year and a half I got a strange looking mole on my side of my chest and had my local Dr look at it. He said it is not cancer but I will freeze it off any way. Once you have it it is the first thing that goes through your mind, sorry but it does. 

    He will remove the wart and have it checked out. So to answer how much terror is justified, none, you do have the right to be concerned but it will turn out to just be a wart. Now take a big breath, and try to relax, [I know that is not easy].

    You have had two years of NED and will get another NED as well. When I found out what I had and they had it T4; N2; M0; I did a lot of praying, Only asked for the strength to handle what ever it was, not for a cure or miracle. My prayers were answered ten fold. It was T3; N0; M0; and no chemo or radiation, just surgery. Lost my larynx and had 86 lymph glands removed but they got it all, and I can still talk.

    The odds it would be cancer are extreamly small, but if it is, you will beat it as well. You know you will always have the support of your friends on this group and will never be alone. However you will be fine with this.

    Bill

    You Guys are The Best

    All of you are saints.  To be willing to take the time and effort to help me get through this and to show a wonderful humanity.  Not only does it give me hope about this stupid growth and that I will be OK you give me hope about our human condition.  It is so discouraging to read newspapers today and to see how even in our country we fight with each other and are so polarized, groups like this remind me that we are basically good.

    I will do my best to help others on here and in my local cancer group the best I can.

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