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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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@wfili Thank you so much for sharing. I am nervous but have put this in God's hands. I'm more anxious than anything because I was ready for my appointment on Jan 6th but when it got rescheduled, It deflated my a bit. I just want to start the process now and get some answers. I have stopped researching as there is not much more I can learn until a diagnosis is made. I completely trust Mayo and am so fortunate to live near them to have the opportunity to be in their care. I will update once I have my appointment on Feb. 5th and know more. Hoping for the best but prepared for less than that. May God have his healing hands over you and praying for a continued recovery.
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3 Reactions@wfili Mine is a Parotid Gland Tumor. You state carotid. Which did you have?
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,
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1 Reaction@gangcarotid1
Yes, please share as you would....and hugs will keep coming!
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1 Reaction@katsviolin, what treatment option did you and your doctor decide to proceed with? How are you doing?