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What were your early symptoms before diagnosed with a Parotid Tumor?
Hello, I'm currently experiencing some symptoms and have fallen down the medical rabbit hole. All research and information and AI points toward a Parotid Glad Tumor. I have cut out the middle man and have made an appt. with an ENT/Otolaryngologist at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale. My symptoms started about 10 years ago but were quite minor. I found a small pea size lump beneath and slightly behind the corner/angle of my jaw on my left side. It was not visible but I could feel it if I really felt for it. I didn't think much of it at the time. Over the years I could feel it getting slightly larger but I'm not one to run to the doctor every time I see or feel something or get sick. About 5 years ago the lump became visible if I turned my head up and to the right and if I stretched my neck/jaw. It was still fairly small. About 2 years ago, I turned my neck a certain way and felt a sharp pain in the same area, like I pinched something. I started monitoring the lump. It has gotten quite a bit larger now, maybe quarter size from the outside view. It is quite painful if pressed on. It does not seem to move much at all. I will admit, finances have had some part in the decision to not go to a doctor sooner along with not wanting to hear bad news. However, I am now feeling a sense of fullness in the area between my ear and corner of my jaw and I now have tinnitus in my left ear. I also feel like something is in my throat or just doesn't feel right in my throat (pressure) on the same left side. It's not painful and does not affect my swallowing. My appointment is on Jan. 6th. Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. Has anyone else had these same symptoms or can anyone share their experience and symptoms pre-diagnosis. Thank you in advance for any insight.
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Sincerely hope you get good news. If by chance it's suspicious maybe try to get into a clinical trial.
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2 ReactionsI was diagnosed in November 2010. The summer before I was in the car at a gas station. My husband was pumping gas. I was looking for something in the storage area beneath the armrest when my husband got back in the car, didn't notice me and his arm slammed the lid down on my cheek. The pain was intense. The next day I felt a small bump below the skin. I assumed it was because of the injury. Over time it did not go away so I thought scar tissue. Months later I awoke one morning and the bump was larger and slightly painful. I made an appointment with my ENT. He did a needle biopsy and was I diagnosed with parotid cancer. Within 4 weeks, after CT, MRI and PET scans, I underwent removal of the parotid gland and neck dissection surgery at Johns Hopkins. The lab results said poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. My margins and lymph nodes were clean. Underwent proton therapy radiation (never, ever again), but refused chemo. Other than a sore and growing bump I had no other symptoms. Only 10% of parotid cancer patients are female like me. I was 60 years old so that fit the criteria. Only my maternal grandfather died of cancer so really no familial connections. If not for the accident inside my car I would probably have died from this cancer as until that time I was symptom free.
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4 ReactionsI would like to hear how your appt goes w your parotid gland. Thx
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1 Reaction@lizzyj58 Thank you!
@pampou Thank you! I appreciate you sharing your experience.
@gangcarotid1 I will update after the appointment for sure. Hoping it is something less than a tumor but preparing for whatever the outcome may be.
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1 Reaction@lizzyj58 I will definitely look into that! Thank you for the suggestion.
@jules26 ,
Thank you! A person i met on Mayo Connect had a tumor removed from her carotid artery as well, but in Mayo Scottsdale, by Dr. Hinni. She also had salivary glands doctored at the same time.
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1 Reaction@jules26 Wish I could be more helpful, but I think there are so many different experiences that finding a match to symptoms is a rarity. Prior to diagnosis through after effects of the "cure" is a journey we all share, but often take different roads. Take care.
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2 Reactions@gangcarotid1 That is most likely the same place I am going. It's the Phoenix/Scottsdale locations. I'm seeing Dr Hayden.