Possible Neck Cancer

BlakeL334
BlakeL334 Member Posts: 1
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello,

For the past year (14 months) I have been experiencing swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck. I feel three total nodes and only one is soft and palpable. 

I have seen 3 different ENTs and they all say everything is normal, but I do not feel that way. In addition to the swollen nodes, there is a constant dull pain in the upper area on the right side of my neck. Also, there is a large mass on the very far back of my tongue. The mass was diagnosed as a swollen circumvallete papillae. It hasn't changed sizes in over a year. 

As far as the pain goes, it comes down the right side of my neck, to my shoulder, to my right arm and I feel as if it continues down into my right lower groin. This has been on going well over a year. I have been to the doctor multiple times and every time I go they say nothing is wrong. All my blood work is normal, Ct scan showed nothing abnormal and all throats examines were normal. 

Where do I go from here? The constant pain is driving me crazy and I feel like every time I see an ENT, I'm not getting a quality exam. I know something is wrong. My swollen nodes aren't there just because. 

Any insight will be appreciate. 

Comments

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #2
    are you near any teaching

    are you near any teaching hospitals? Or what area are you in? Not that there is anything wrong with a regualr practicing ENT because there isn't. Its just that if you go to a university they usually have better diagnostic tools and equipment. My regular ENT told me this personally!! He couldn't find anyting after several checks but I KNEW something was not right. Sure enough,he sent me to USC and they found it right away with their more advanced technology and equipment.

     

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    #3
    Try to find a ENT that

    Try to find a ENT that specializes in head and neck cancer. The first ENT my husband saw gave him antibiotics that did nothing. A more qualified doctor can take a better look.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #4
    welcome

    BlakeL334,

    Welcome to the H&N forum, where getting through the door is not as easy as it sounds.  “I think I have cancer, let me in”.  You, will need a real cancer diagnosis, I know you know this and I know you have been trying to get one, two & three ENT’s to take you seriously and to use their many years at H&N doctor school to pull the answer out from under their hat.  “BlakeL334, you have (right answer here).

    That small amount said and probably a waste of your valuable time, you sound like you have lumps, bumps and pain which could be diagnosed.  You were told that the large mass on your tongue was swollen circumvallate papillae and after brief research it normally is no big  deal.

    I do not know what to tell you about the pain, many of the H&N members to pass through this site, do not have any pain whatsoever, but they do have the swollen lymph nodes to ring the DANGER AHEAD signal and this warning is confirmed with a biopsy with the special positive cancer, and it is all yours, it can change your life and I DO NOT WANT YOU TO HAVE IT!!!  Life is better for the cancer patient before cancer. And CivilMatt wants you to stay better. If not, we are here.

  • OKCnative
    OKCnative Member Posts: 326 Member
    #5
    My first symptom was a very

    My first symptom was a very small enlarged node in my neck (noticed after minor surgery on my chin area). Docs thought it was a reaction to the surgery. This went on for awhile and I was convinced it was more serious. Primary Care doc kept putting me on meds and checked my blood  - all clear. Sent me to an ENT. He also thought it was nothing. After some time he wanted to do a neck dissection. I said "no way" and fired him. Second ENT scoped me and saw nothing concerning and sent me for scans. Scans simply showed the enlarged node I already knew was there. The only thing that confirmed cancer was a needle biopsy done in his office. I knew I had SCC within 24 hours of the needle biopsy.

    Have you had a needle biopsy done?

    If not, I'd inquire about it. It was mostly covered by my insurance and took about 10 minutes in the ENT's office with only mild discomfort. From that day, things progressed quickly to getting me into treatment. Even at that I was already at Stage 3. So, don't ignore this!

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #6
    Maybe a different doctor?

    Hi Blake,

    I'm not doubting you're having symptoms but I do question your perception of them. I know that many here would have been celebrating with one all clear from an ENT let alone three! 
    You say the nodes are swollen. Three ENTs would have picked up on that. To you they may be but apparently they're not clinically swollen. I can tell you that the node in my neck grew, and fast! By the time I went in for surgery, it looked like I had the mumps on the left side of my neck.

    Be glad what you do have is a bengn issue. Speak to your GP about the pain and perhaps look into help with the anxiety you're experiencing due to this. 

    Positive thoughts and prayers.

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