lump in neck

I certainly would.

Yes!!!! I had swollen lymph nodes in that area when I was diagnosed with Head And Neck Cancer. Please do it immediately please thank you

My husband had this exact symptom a year ago. He went for a biopsy of the grape size lymph node and was told it was benign and/or cogs to the saliva gland., A year later in August he has stage 4 head and neck cancer. It has spread to his liver and bones. His is HPV P16 positive cancer.

We saw a mayo doctor this week. He said that it was most likely liquid and would not show cancer. So, the doctor needs to know what they are looking for. A year ago it would have possibly been curable, now it is just treatable. He is given many months to live not many years.

Hi @frankbc, your and your husband's story is certainly a tough one to accept. Despite having the lump investigated, undetected cancer spread. It sounds like it spread fast. This must be difficult news to comprehend and accept. How are you and your husband doing?

He is tolerating the first round of treatments well. The lymph node swelling went down right away and pain in back all decreased with each treatment. The first regiment of treatment should be done by the end of the year.

@frankbc, you must both be so grateful that the pain is lessening with each treatment. What treatment is he on?

Carbo, 5-FU and Keytruda.

I found 2 similar lymph node lumps on my neck in November, 2016. I also had no pain. I gave them 2 weeks to see if the size would go down and it didn't. I immediately sought out medical advice and was dilengent in getting an answer. The only way they could be sure was to do a biopsy and then immediately remove, when I was in surgery, if the nodes where found to be cancerous. I said do it and the biopsy/surgery was performed on 4 Jan, 2017 with the results being HPV p16 positive cancer. The surgeon also removed 31 additional nodes and found that the cancer had stayed within the original 2 nodes and had not spread. I started radiation on 25 Jan 17 and ended my treatment ( 30 high dose sessions) on the 27 March, 2017. I am now cancer free, as of my last check up, and hope that the five year checkup results say the same. BOTTOMLINE: See an expert regarding those lumps NOW! Remember, it is your life and it is up to you to push the limits of investigation. Further, please get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. I truly believe that my immediate attention to those lumps and the
quick response by my medical team, is why I am able to send this comment today. If I would have ignored the lumps and did nothing, I would be dead today.

Good luck and God Bless You !

Hello @michael3319 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that this is your second post since joining Connect and I appreciate you sharing your experience about the lumps on your neck. Congratulations on being so proactive in getting to the root of the problem.

It is important to advocate for ourselves and as you said, "get a 2nd or 3rd opinion." This is really important.

As it has been several years since your surgery and radiation, how are you feeling now? How often do you have follow up exams?

Thanks for asking! Ironically, my surgery was performed 5 years ago on the 4th of Jan, 2017. My followup exams had been every 6months for the first 2 years. At which time they want ed change it to every year. My response was NO and that I will have them every 6 months for as long as I want them. I continually remind that it is me life not theirs and my health is my responsibility so they will do it.t

As far as my 5 year journey, it has certainly had its peaks and valleys. First, 3 years had been the worst but the last 2
have been uneventful, which is a good thing :)! Side effect of radiation in jaw and neck resulted in the lost of 9 of my lower left side of mouth, teeth. I was just fitted for a new partial of removed teeth and it is finally allowed me fully chew my food. I lost 66 lbs but regained 10 so currently at 160. I have gone thru all the effects that high dose radiation can do to the mouth, throat and saliva issues. I have learned to adapt and overcome BUT realize it will never be that same as it was pre-cancer and it is what it is.