19 years old, swollen nodes, very scared, how do i know it hasnt spread?

danielvarian said:

I just need someone with

I just need someone with experience of NPC to post here and maybe put some of my fears to rest.

Would i know if i had it in my lungs?

I am a NPC stage III survivor (1.5 years from last treatment). For spread to the lungs, etc. you need to do some imagistic procedure. A CT scan with contrast substance would show any abnormal growths larger than 0.5 cm (depending on the CT resolution). Other alternative is PET scan, that shows hyperactive (higher uptake of radioactive glucose) regions. This would be done prior to starting any treatment, to determine the TNM stage. 

I'm sorry you are scared enough that you feel the need to find us.....we're the club nobody wants to join. I'm surprised also, you have chosen NPC to be the possible culprit.....it is rare unless you live in China. 

Everybody who has answered your post is right.  At 19, and having swollen lymph nodes in your neck....the chances are more than likely that you have an infection going on.  I can tell you that most of us who had a swollen lymph node as our only "symptom" were put on antibiotics first, just because the most likely cause is infection.  You may very well have a sinus thing happening.... How long have the nodes been swollen? 

NPC is cureable....I'm two years out of treatment, and so far......I'm clear.  As a matter of fact, my ENT told me that most likely something other than NPC will kill me......so there you go....it is not incurable!! 

What I want you to do until your ultra-sound is breathe deep.....relax as much as you can....and remember how rare NPC is.  Also, stay off of Google.  I could go and find 10 things that could kill me just by listing symptoms.....that's how Google is. 

p 

I am also afraid of swollen node in my neck. I have done the CT and nasopharyngoscope, and get negative results. But my swollen node is so small that the doctor cannot take out more tissue by needle. Although th biopsy is negative, i am always afraid. I will see my ENT doc at the end of this month for considering biopsy again. For you, the first thing is to get the biopsy result and exactly know what happen. Good luck to you and God bless you. You are in my prayers.

danielvarian said:

I was just talking to my

I was just talking to my parents and they wont pay for the ultrasound as they think nothing is wrong with me because im having no symptoms

Nasal obstruction (especially if doesn’t go away with decongestants) and enlarged nodes are signs and symptoms that need to be followed up.

At least you need to be seen by an ENT specialist (if haven’t already). By scoping she/he would rule that (tumor) out, and determine the real cause of the nasal obstruction (could be nasal polyps, or an infection drained by the swollen lymph nodes). This at least, would give you reassurance; otherwise you'll keep worrying about that.

danielvarian said:

I will basically have to wait

I will basically have to wait like 6 months on the public health scheme.

I don’t have knowledge of Ireland’s health system. Here in Canada, it’s similar in the sense that you have to wait months to be referred to a specialist. The exception is when the GP (or family doctor) has reason to believe it’s an emergency (cancer would fit into this) and the referral process would go quicker (around 1 month)

danielvarian said:

If multiple doctors have felt

If multiple doctors have felt my neck amd seemed not concermed at all ( i actually have a similar lump on the other side of my neck.

Maybe a branchial cleft cyst?

Daniel, in UK you would have to be seen within two weeks. But this is much more likely to be a branchial cyst than cancer given your age. If it is it is not dangeous but needs treating as does an infection or anything else. There is also your peace of mind mate. Get herself to a doctor kid. IM not a doctor bit have been through all of this personally. IM much older than you though. G.

danielvarian said:

If multiple doctors have felt

If multiple doctors have felt my neck amd seemed not concermed at all ( i actually have a similar lump on the other side of my neck.

Maybe a branchial cleft cyst?

Have they (MDs) said that? The swelling is different than a lymph node, tend to be more fluctuant, but sonographic evaluation is more accurate. So you shouldn’t jump to conclusions, wait to have this confirmed one way or another, and don't borrow worry.

Daniel, how come your GP isn't referring you for the ultrasound? I don't understand. This would be NHS, why are you having to pay? If you have cancer symptoms, your GP would refer you for an emergency head and neck cancer referral. I had my first biopsy in SIX days from my first visit to the GP. This was just normal NHS, not anything private.

I don't understand why that hasn't happened.

danielvarian said:

My GP did refer me to a

My GP did refer me to a centre that does scans.

Went the private route instead of public (which would take months).

The ultrasound is 115 euro's out of my parents pockets so thats why they are apprehensive.

The NHS is for the UK, not Ireland unfortunately.

The NICE Guidelines provide for much quicker referral than months, where HNC/NPC is suspected.

To help set your mind at rest, I had swollen lymph nodes a lot when I was your age. It was usually tonsilitis or sinusitis.