Connect
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.
Connect
@denisebrown67 Thank you. My appointment was rescheduled due to imaging needs and I went in yesterday. I have a 3cm mass they think is benign. They put the order in for a MRI, so waiting on that to get scheduled. They said they will be removing it but at this time it will most likely be a superficial parotidectomy. We shall see. So sorry to here of your diagnosis and difficult surgery. Glad to hear it was successful. I finally don't ignore signs and symptoms now that I have gotten older. A bit anxious about surgery since it will only be my second, first being a partial hysterectomy. I do keep researching. First thing I did when I got home from the appoint. Started researching next steps and expectations..............never ending. Hope you're doing well since your surgery and recovery.
I hope your appointment went well in January.
I had a parotid gland removed due to the high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma tumor. The surgery was successful, but it was intense, a 6 hour surgery unfortunately I had to have the main facial nerve removed as well, the cancer was attached to the nerve as well. I have permanent facial paralysis. The surgery was 8 years ago. I had pain in my left jaw area. It was very painful and I had a hard time opening my mouth to talk or eat. I went to the after hours clinic and they thought a tooth abscess. I did have an abscess and had it cleaned out, but still the pain remained on my left jaw area. They finally did a ct scan and found the tumor. Don't ignore pain or lumps, they get more expensive when you ignore them. There is always help out there. Your life is important. Ask questions and never stop researching. Be your advocate.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsUPDATE: I had my appointment today at the Mayo Clinic. I must start by saying everyone there is amazing. That being said. I have a 3cm mass in the tail of my left parotid gland. They preformed a Nasal / sinus endoscopy and everything appears normal. They believe it is benign at this time and have ordered an MRI with and without contrast which will be in 10-15 days to confirm size, location and margins. After the MRI, they will make a decision on if a FNA will be done or not. Surgery is in my future but feeling good that everything will go well. If anyone has insight on what to expect post-op, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
@hrhwilliam Thank you for the kind words. As a matter of fact, I am thinking of y'all. I'm from the North originally and still have family there. I sure don't miss those days. I'm trying to be as patient as I only have a little over a week. I live 2hrs away so......
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@jules26 The waiting can be worse than the symptoms. You might ask them to put you on standby for any cancellations, unless you are too far away to make a last minute commute.
In the meantime, think about us northern people freezing our tails off, just to take your mind off the wait.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi all, just checking in. I'm a week and a half out from my appointment. I can't wait to have an answer, good or bad. My left tonsil is basically nonexistent, which I've never had before. Has anyone experienced this with a parotid issue before or is it just coincidental? Has anyone had a deep lobe tumor or a dumbbell tumor. Just curious as I have learned a lot since continued research waiting on my rescheduled appointment.
@katsviolin, what treatment option did you and your doctor decide to proceed with? How are you doing?
Yes, please share as you would....and hugs will keep coming!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@gangcarotid1
A meningemas brain tumor was discovered in 2018 while in the hospital for something totally unrelated. I've bee watched by a neuro-surgeon for that ever since. He continues to push for removal and chemo and radiation. I am now 89 and still refusing. He and I continue to follow the brain tumor (now with a large attached edema) with MRIs with and without contrast. In the Fall, he advised me that he'd been seeing a parotid gland tumor in my left cheek but the mass was now growing. I finally got an appointment with an ENT who sent me to the hospital for an outpatient biopsy which was recently done. Bottom line is they are just watching. I have no pain from either tumor (brain or parotid gland) and nothing visible inside my cheek or outside. At my age, I am not looking to do anything "eventful" but I am concerned. My mouth seems dry all the time, I have noticed. And my teeth roots seem to be march fast, thus causing extractions. The teeth I still have are all my own, but I'm wondering if this parotid gland malady is now affecting the roots of the left side of my teet,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction