Head and Neck Cancer

[PharmaGirl]

I am a 48 year old female. A year ago I had an upper respiratory infection that was very slow in going away. After the infection, I began with fatigue, constant fevers over 100.7 degrees, night sweats, and enlarged lymph nodes. I have had a pea-sized node in the back of my neck (about 1/4 inch below my ear) for over 5 years. Every time I mentioned that this pea-sized node would get larger whenever I had an infection or virus, and would eventually go back down to it's original pea-size, my internist and endocrinologist would tell me it's nothing to worry about. After suffering from fevers & night sweats for well over two months, I was finally sent for a full body CT scan. This was last June. The CT scan results showed numerous shotty nodes in my neck and a couple of nodes in my left lower lung. (I had smoked in my teen years, but gave up smoking in my mid twenties). My CT scan recommendation was to have another scan in one year to see if the nodes change in size. Around the time of my CT scan last summer, I was eventually diagnosed with thyroiditis and put on levothroxine. The node in my neck is still present and has been increasing and decreasing in size but never goes away. It is palpable and does not hurt, and is somewhat larger in the morning. I just saw my internist yesterday, and I requested that he send me to a surgeon to have the node biopsied. He has agreed (although I think he is doing so because of my insistance). He has suggested that I have another CT scan. I still have temperatures above 100.0 degrees and night sweats. The following cancers are in my family history: Paternal grandfather-liver cancer, maternal grandmother-uterine and breast cancer maternal grandfather-esophogeal cancer, paternal aunt-uterine, colon cancers & leukemia, father-PNH & aplastic anemia, maternal uncle-colon cancer, maternal aunt-stomach cancer.

As you can see, I am acutely aware of cancers on both sides of my family. I am writing this topic because I am curious if anyone has an opinion if I am doing the right thing by requesting the biopsy of the node in my neck, and if anyone has experience with enlarged or shotty nodes in the neck area.

[lynn77]

I feel you always have to be your own advocate. You know your body better than anyone else. Of course you are doing the right thing by requesting the biopsy. Knowing for sure will ease your mind one way or another, if it is cancer than at least you will be able to begin treatment.

Best of luck to you!

Please, keep us posted on your results.

[lmk]

I am somewhat in the same situation as you. I had a virus back in June and noticed a swolen node on my neck below my ear. i was treated with antibiotics and the node seemed to decrease in size but never fully went away. I then had a sore throat in July that didn't go away for a very long time, so back to the doctor I went and this time he gave me yet another antibiotic to take. The node did not go away but another appeared right next to it. The Dr said it's all related to my illness and will go away in a few weeks. I just went to the doctor last week with the two nodes on the back of my neck plus a new one just above my collar bone and for the past month I've had night sweats, fever of over 100 every so often, and unexplained weight loss. My doctor tested for strep throat and for mono and both came back negative, so he tells me I have a virus and it should all go away soon enough. Everyone I spoke to tells me I should go get it checked out by a surgeon and have them do a biopsy and I don't know if I should let it ride like my doctor said to or if I should take their advice. My family doesn't have any cancer history, however I used to be a smoker for a few years and quit recently. I curious to know what you have decided to do in your situation and if you have anything else you could share with me.

[UroDoc]

I would have it checked out by a surgeon, then you can have piece of mind, good luck

[PharmaGirl]

I feel for you! I know how rough it can be when you know that something is wrong, but your physician doesn't seem to be concerned. My advice is to seek a second opinion, and yes, I think you should have the node(s) biopsied for peace of mind. Have you had any blood work?

My upper respiratory (bacterial) infection last year led to thyroiditis, which caused hyperthyroidism. The hyperthyroidism caused my fevers, weight loss, rapid heart beat, and overwhelming fatigue. I was initially put on steriods to reduce the swelling in my thyroid gland and a beta blocker. After my thyroiditis resolved itself, I developed hypothyroidism and am currently taking levothyroxine. All of this has not changed the node in my neck, which is my main concern. My internist scheduled a CT scan of my neck & chest, which I am having tomorrow (9/18) at our local hospital where my first CT scan was done. Hopefully the results are better than last year when numerous "shotty" lymph nodes were found in my neck, and two spots in my left lung. Once the CT scan is completed, then the next step will be for me to be referred to a surgeon for the biopsy of the node in my neck.

Please keep me updated on how you are doing. I'll update my post once I get my CT results.

[johnj]

please insist that you have a biospy i have several in my neck i have lyphiod hyperplasia but my biospys are normal i cant get a pet scan in wich you need to talk to your dr about be a pain in there butts until they give . i havve night sweats fever and the quote lymphoma itch on my shins in wich i make my legs inflamed let me know how your doing

[Rohit Soans]

It is better to err on the side of caution. A full biopsy may not be required and the surgeon will most probably recommend a fine needle aspiration. I agree that it was right of you to ask for a biopsy. Good luck with everything. Rohit Soans.

[dedesert]

Please don't take any chances. I thought I had a sore throat and that it would just go away. I should have had it Biopsied right away. Turned out to be stage 4 Carsenoma, neck and tongue cancer.I went thru chemotherapy, Radiation and Radical neck Dissection. Is till suffer a lot and wish I hadn't waited for the biopsy. Please....get it done now!