Lump in my neck

littlekate60
littlekate60 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1
About 3 months ago I found a lump on my neck, above my thyroid. I went to my Dr and he suggested I see an ENT DR because he thought it might be a thyroglossal duct cyst. My ENT DR sent me for ultrasound which confirmed it was a cyst. I just had surgery and after my surgery was over my Dr said that it was not cyst that it was an enlarged lymph node. He did a biopsy to check for lymphoma and when I went for my post op visit he said only part of the results came back and that the part that came back looks good and he doesn't anticipate any bad news. But its hard for me to really feel confident since my diagnosis on ultrasound turned out to be so wrong. I have never heard of a biopsy coming back in parts. Can anyone relate???

Comments

  • slickwilly
    slickwilly Member Posts: 334 Member
    #2
    littlekate60
    Hi. Im some cases they send a boipsy to the lab and get an initial reading. Then they do a additional 10 day petri dish test. That provides more information and can define a type of cancer if there is any. My initial test showed cancer and they were 90% sure it was Adnoid Cystic Carcenoma. But after the 10 day sample came back it was changed to Difuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Which in my case gave me a fighting chance and avoided a 12 hour operation on my face. Its good news that the initial biopsy results came back negative for cancer. I know its hard waiting for results as I have been there many times. Best of luck on the next step. Slickwilly
  • catwink22
    catwink22 Member Posts: 281
    #3
    Second Opinion
    Hi Littlekate,
    I have not heard of a biopsy coming back in parts, but maybe it was sent out in parts to different labs? I wouldn't be comfortable with the diagnosis as a thyroglossal duct cyst coming back as an enlarged lymph node, but that's my personal opinion. Did they treat you with antibiotic for the cyst before you had your surgery? I strongly suggest you get a second opinion. If you don't want to start with an oncologist how about an ear, nose & throat specialist? Good Luck to you!!
    Cat
  • catwink22
    catwink22 Member Posts: 281
    #4
    slickwilly said:

    littlekate60
    Hi. Im some cases they send a boipsy to the lab and get an initial reading. Then they do a additional 10 day petri dish test. That provides more information and can define a type of cancer if there is any. My initial test showed cancer and they were 90% sure it was Adnoid Cystic Carcenoma. But after the 10 day sample came back it was changed to Difuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. Which in my case gave me a fighting chance and avoided a 12 hour operation on my face. Its good news that the initial biopsy results came back negative for cancer. I know its hard waiting for results as I have been there many times. Best of luck on the next step. Slickwilly

    How weird!
    Hey Slickwilly, we must have been on the same wave length! No responses to this post and we post at almost the exact same time. Good information, thanks for the explanation.
    Cat
  • slickwilly
    slickwilly Member Posts: 334 Member
    #5
    catwink22 said:

    Second Opinion
    Hi Littlekate,
    I have not heard of a biopsy coming back in parts, but maybe it was sent out in parts to different labs? I wouldn't be comfortable with the diagnosis as a thyroglossal duct cyst coming back as an enlarged lymph node, but that's my personal opinion. Did they treat you with antibiotic for the cyst before you had your surgery? I strongly suggest you get a second opinion. If you don't want to start with an oncologist how about an ear, nose & throat specialist? Good Luck to you!!
    Cat

    Hi catwink22
    Hi Cat. I was reading your bio and it sounds like you have a very full plate. I would imagine your in treatments and I hope they are going as well as can be expected. Its not much fun when our whole world gets turned upside down. I am a six year survivor now of difuse large b-cell lymphoma in my face. And like you I thought the lump that was beside my nose was no big deal. After 4 months, 7 biopsies and facial surgery to remove a mass with tenticles my whole life changed. From start to finish everything took almost a year. I am on disability now as my neck went to pieces a couple years after my cancer. I suspect all the radiation didn't help. So pain is a daily thing for me now. But I am blessed with each day and try to get the most out of them. Take those small steps and set short term goals. Its way too easy to give up on ourselves when the going gets rough. Sometimes we need that kick in the butt to remind us that we are not just fighting cancer for ourselves, but also for those that love, care and support us. I love your picture with the child. I have 3 daughters and they are the best thing I brought to this world. Blessings Slickwilly
  • catwink22
    catwink22 Member Posts: 281
    #6
    slickwilly said:

    Hi catwink22
    Hi Cat. I was reading your bio and it sounds like you have a very full plate. I would imagine your in treatments and I hope they are going as well as can be expected. Its not much fun when our whole world gets turned upside down. I am a six year survivor now of difuse large b-cell lymphoma in my face. And like you I thought the lump that was beside my nose was no big deal. After 4 months, 7 biopsies and facial surgery to remove a mass with tenticles my whole life changed. From start to finish everything took almost a year. I am on disability now as my neck went to pieces a couple years after my cancer. I suspect all the radiation didn't help. So pain is a daily thing for me now. But I am blessed with each day and try to get the most out of them. Take those small steps and set short term goals. Its way too easy to give up on ourselves when the going gets rough. Sometimes we need that kick in the butt to remind us that we are not just fighting cancer for ourselves, but also for those that love, care and support us. I love your picture with the child. I have 3 daughters and they are the best thing I brought to this world. Blessings Slickwilly

    No treatments yet
    Hey Slick, I'm in the watch and wait phase so I haven't started treatment yet, but I had blood work done on Fri and I go to onc on Tues so that could change at any time. Thanks for the reminder about fighting for the sake of our loved ones, that's easy to forget when you're going through the painful procedures and feeling sick. It sounds like you had a harder battle than most of us. That's my little granddaughter I'm holding, how lucky am I? I almost swooned when my young daughter told me she was pregnant, but now I see things in perspective and she's another big reason to win the war. I hope your days are filled with less pain and more joy, Blessings to you also! Cat

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