Metastasis under jaw line - any similar experiences?

mixleader said:

Jaw Line
I almost did not reply to this because my case is very scary, but also very rare. So, I found a lump along my right jawline that my doctor thought to be an inflamed lymph node. It did not go away after antibiotics, so I got an ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy done and it turned out to be malignant and very rare. I was told at the time that it was very aggressive, but I figured it was a young cancer and it should be treatable. I had surgery to remove the right parotid salivary gland and three lymph nodes and part of my facial nerve. The surgeon said he got clean margins but radiation was recommended so I did 30 rad treatments. About four months later, during a routine exam, my ENT found a lump about an inch from the original site that he thought suspicious. He surgically removed it and it turned out to be the same cancer. Then, a couple of months later, a sore opened up on my jawline that would not heal so that was biopsied and it also was the same type of cancer. The worst thing, however, was the PET scan in July that showed mets to my lungs and spine. So, my prognosis is very poor, but keep in mind that mine was a very unusual case with a highly aggressive type of cancer. I am told that there are no clinical trials going on anywhere for this particular cancer, so I am currently being treated with a type of chemo. I was just scanned this week and my meeting with my chemo onc is due this coming Monday. I wish you luck on your journey and remember that my case is extremely rare.

Roger

I have recently found multiple lumps along my jaw line both left and right. Some larger than others. I noticed them while turning my head one day. They roll off my jaw bone. There between the size of peas and small grapes. I was having some jaw pain on one side and thought maybe I had an infection and my doctor put me on an antibiotic. I have had no change and actually have noticed more since treatment. I'm 24 and lost my mother when she was only 35 from lung cancer. She was diagnosed in June and passed in January. It was really aggressive and I worry about what this could be. Any answers?

Marie88a said:

Lump

I have recently found multiple lumps along my jaw line both left and right. Some larger than others. I noticed them while turning my head one day. They roll off my jaw bone. There between the size of peas and small grapes. I was having some jaw pain on one side and thought maybe I had an infection and my doctor put me on an antibiotic. I have had no change and actually have noticed more since treatment. I'm 24 and lost my mother when she was only 35 from lung cancer. She was diagnosed in June and passed in January. It was really aggressive and I worry about what this could be. Any answers?

marine, since the antibiotics didn't work i'd follow up with the doc.  don't let it go.  it is something  that should definitley be looked into further.  stay on the doc until he does something, be it a biopsy or ct scan.  i dont mean to scare you but it's never good to have a lump.  i will be praying for you.  please keep us posted to let us know what gets done and what they find (or don't find).

God bless,

debbiejeanne

mixleader said:

Jaw Line
I almost did not reply to this because my case is very scary, but also very rare. So, I found a lump along my right jawline that my doctor thought to be an inflamed lymph node. It did not go away after antibiotics, so I got an ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy done and it turned out to be malignant and very rare. I was told at the time that it was very aggressive, but I figured it was a young cancer and it should be treatable. I had surgery to remove the right parotid salivary gland and three lymph nodes and part of my facial nerve. The surgeon said he got clean margins but radiation was recommended so I did 30 rad treatments. About four months later, during a routine exam, my ENT found a lump about an inch from the original site that he thought suspicious. He surgically removed it and it turned out to be the same cancer. Then, a couple of months later, a sore opened up on my jawline that would not heal so that was biopsied and it also was the same type of cancer. The worst thing, however, was the PET scan in July that showed mets to my lungs and spine. So, my prognosis is very poor, but keep in mind that mine was a very unusual case with a highly aggressive type of cancer. I am told that there are no clinical trials going on anywhere for this particular cancer, so I am currently being treated with a type of chemo. I was just scanned this week and my meeting with my chemo onc is due this coming Monday. I wish you luck on your journey and remember that my case is extremely rare.

Roger

You sound like a ditto of my experience with SCC. Everything is the same accept for the sore on the jawline. My cancer has basically stayed in the same area (left neck) from the top of my ear down to just under my jaw. In 2002 I had surgery and radiation. This time 2010 when I was diagnosed again with the same cancer I have only had the surgery done. My recent PET/CT scan and MRI showed a 7mm spot on my throat. I was told they can not do surgery without the radiation or chemo back-up. I am having a hard time with the idea of my quality of life going to hell, I feel that chemo would just prolong whats going to happen anyway. I don't want to suffer or suffocate in the end. I feel that my case is also rare. If you have any thoughts I am open to hear them!

Kathy Greenleaf

kath202000 said:

SCC

You sound like a ditto of my experience with SCC. Everything is the same accept for the sore on the jawline. My cancer has basically stayed in the same area (left neck) from the top of my ear down to just under my jaw. In 2002 I had surgery and radiation. This time 2010 when I was diagnosed again with the same cancer I have only had the surgery done. My recent PET/CT scan and MRI showed a 7mm spot on my throat. I was told they can not do surgery without the radiation or chemo back-up. I am having a hard time with the idea of my quality of life going to hell, I feel that chemo would just prolong whats going to happen anyway. I don't want to suffer or suffocate in the end. I feel that my case is also rare. If you have any thoughts I am open to hear them!

 

Kathy Greenleaf

I think if you start a new thread of your own, you will get more responses.....this thread is a year and a half old....and the person who started it hasn't been on here for quite some time.

p

Emljjjkj,

Welcome to the H&N forum, you are in ‘no one knows” area of concern.

For me, and for many, many H&N members, there was no pain, just a lump.

You need to see your GP who will get you(if necessary) into see an ENT.  If the problem warrants serious attention the ENT will want a biopsy and the outcome to the biopsy will direct your next move.

We have a well worn phrase around here “it is not cancer until they say it is cancer” and this step is very important.  We do not want anyone to go through this treatment scenario.

I hope you are ok and without cancer.

Good luck,

Matt

Try starting a new thread.

Hi, my name is Sandi.  I am 58 yrs old and tomorrow they are doing an excisional biopsy of the lump, non-painful, in my neck, under my jawline.  They did a CT scan mid-March and report states: 2.5 x 1.7 x 2.7 heterogenous complex cystic lesion/lymph node.  So, the diagnosis is SCC nodal metastatic disease.  I just don't think I really have cancer, as I don't feel bad in the least, and that lump has been there for like 5 or 6 years, although it has gotten harder and bigger lately.  They are also going to do a laryrnogoscopy (sp) in my throat and nasal cavity.  The surgeon said he will do a frozen section tomorrow, and I hope I know something tomorrow.  If it is cancer, I am not afraid of what comes next, just curious.