ENT FOLLOWUP ON RECENT CAT SCAN

Had followup appointment with my ENT doctor today to go over the results of my recent CAT scan of my head and neck. It turns out that I misunderstood the results of the lump on my left side of my neck.  The results show a 5 mm stone within the right submandibular salivary gland not the left.  ENT told me that I've had that stone since he first diagnosed me 5 years ago and not to worry about it. 

They don't know what the marble size lump is on my left side of my neck in a lymph node.  It shows no tumor/cancer on the CAT scan.  That could be that it is still too small to show on the scan.  

Info found on my research:

Due to the physical limitations, however, the minimum lesion size that can be measured with CT is about 3 mm.  

Normal CT images showed high false-positive rates of incorrect interpretation 28.2% of the time.  CT scans often miss soft tissue injuries and other abnormalities.

It's important to note that some cancers may be overlooked on a CT scan. Lesions may be missed for a variety of reasons, including location and human error. Still, CT is more sensitive than a simple X-ray. A CT scan can find lesions as small as 2-3 mm.

My ENT said that if it grows to return to his office for further testing.  In my mind there is still a possibility that it a recurrance of the cancer in its pre stage.  Symptoms are the same as 5 years ago with ear ache and tenderness on the lymph node.  Remember... I've been here before.

He referred me to Orthopedic Dr. Chris Cenac for treatment of the spinal stenosis.

He wants to just wait and see what happens to the atrophic thyroid.  I am already taking thyroid meds for that.   

I explained to him about the reaction I had to the pre meds I had to take prior to the CAT scan of my head and neck.  The steriod pill was one of the pills in the pre meds that threw me into A-fib.  I called the clinic and spoke to the nurse and she said to drink lots of water to flush the kidneys out.  I took some Xanax which stopped the A-fib.  I should have had an infusion prior to the scan which would have protected my kidneys.

My kidney functioning gfr number went from 39 to 37.  Normal is above 60. 

I told him that I will no longer approve a CAT scan with contrast or take any premeds ever again. 

CAT SCAN 1-19-2023 RESULTS

Had blood work and then CAT scan yesterday at TGMC.   Got results today.

FINDINGS OF CAT SCAN OF HEAD AND NECK - 1-19-2023

1.  Atrophic submandibular glands and stable 5 mm stone within the right submandibular (salivary) duct.

     - Stress can result in salivary gland hypo-function, which will             reduce salivary flow.

     - Salivary stones and tumors can be smaller than a marble or                 larger.  Most aren't cancerous, but if left untreated can develop           into cancer.

2.  Degenerative changes in the cervical spine, especially C6-7, where there is moderate to severe spinal stenosis.

     - If left untreated, spinal stenosis can result in permanent damage         to the spinal cord. This could cause bowel and bladder                         incontinence as well as paralysis.

    - When the spinal cord gets injured at C6-C7, pain, weakness,             or paralysis may occur in one or more parts of the body below         the injured level. Reduction of bowel, bladder, and/or breathing         functions may occur in some cases. Typically, nonsurgical                   treatments are tried first to control the symptoms of C6-C7                 injuries.

3.  1 cm nodule right lobe of the thyroid, decreased in size. Remainder of the thyroid somewhat atrophic.

     - Thyroid atrophy is the end result of either severe thyroid                     damage or total loss of pituitary stimulation.  The possible                 causes are: (1) irradiation (2) atrophic auto-immune thyroiditis.

So I was wrong about this lump being a cancer recurrence.  However, there are some things to be concerned about in these results.  Notice how the words "stress" and "radiation" keep popping up as causes.  

I am relieved that the cancer has not returned.

CANCER CENTER APPOINTMENT WITh NEW ONCOLOGIST

Had visit with a new Oncologist today for my one year check up.  He examined my lump on my neck, looked at my throat, and took a brief history of my last cancer 5 years ago.

He asked if I had been scoped and I informed him that my ENT doctor did so a week ago.  He said that he would prefer if we continue to allow the ENT to do the scopes of my throat as he is not comfortable doing so.  That made me like him immediately.

He discussed the course of action he would take if my biobsy comes back positive.  I knew what he was going to say... surgery.  I asked about Proton Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy and he was not for either one of these.  So it would have to be surgery to remove the lymph node completely.  No radiation.  He did not mention chemo.  He will be leaving the cancer center in April so I will be seeing another doctor when I return in 6 months.  All my future care will be through my ENT.

On leaving he said to me that he did not think that it was a return of the cancer I had 5 years ago but could not elaborate on why I had this lump on my neck in the same place as before as well as the ear ache, just like before.

Tomorrow I get my blood work and CAT scan.

HAVING A CAT SCAN ON MY HEAD AND NECK - HERE WE GO AGAIN

Saw ENT today and he examined the lump on my neck.  He ordered a CAT scan but said that he was not too concerned about it as it was a small lump.  It is the size of a marble.  He said that it could be from an infection or illness of some kind that my system was trying to fight off.  I have not had an illness except for the problems with my heart which is not an infection.

I did some research and this is what I found.

  

Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that your immune system is fighting off infection or illness. Swollen lymph nodes are more likely to be benign than malignant. Benign means the lymph nodes don't contain cancer cells.  Benign lymphoma can sometimes turn into cancer, although it is not common. 

There is a link between stress causing swollen lymph nodes and mental illness. Swelling lymph nodes can occur when we face stress triggers and is a physical symptom of mental problems.

Chronic stress induces signalling from the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and drives cancer progression.  

A persistent lateral neck lump in an adult should be considered malignant until proven otherwise.

At this point in time, it is my belief that my cancer has returned due to the extreme amount of stress

I have endured for 8 months while caring for my son.

I may be wrong but it is my gut feeling.

Stress is a killer.

LUMP STILL THERE

Completed the meds given by ENT doctor and the lump is still there.  Only shrunk a tiny bit.  Seeing doctor a week from today. Am going to ask for a CAT scan. 

The steroids and antibiotics have given me a rash in my mouth and my genitals.  Have cream for the genitals.  This is very uncomfortable.