I found another lump-HPV strikes again

This of course could be due to alot of things; cancer typically stays on the same side and dosent cross over like that. Like anything in health you should of course watch it and if it worsens bring it to the attention of your doctor
C

You should most certainly have the lump checked out by your medical professional. Having said that, however, I will add that, after any cancer experience (and I've had two separate & different ones), many of us become obsessed with the fear of recurrence and we spend a great deal of time feeling all around the "dangerous" areas, looking up every little symptom, etc. This is completely normal, albeit scary. I will also relay what my own doctors have told me and that is that the radiated tissue has been permanently changed and can be lumpy and feel unusual- not like what you'd expect from your experience pre-cancer. So you are not "imagining" new lumps but, rather, probably feeling lots of ones caused by scarring tissue, etc. Still, it's always best to get it checked. As the previous poster pointed out, though, it's unlikely that the cancer "jumped" from one side of your neck to the other, especially so soon after intense radiation. Good luck, sweetie. This really is quite the journey, isn't it?

This has, indeed, been a journey. A journey of 23 years and counting. I was first diagnosed with follicular non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1995. I was 36 years old and had 2 small children. The lymphoma has relapsed twice over the years, once requiring a stem cell transplant. Now, at 59 years of age, I learn that a troublesome lump on my neck is not lymphoma, as feared, but a totally new cancer caused by, of all things, a virus that I never even knew I had. Anyway, I called my head and neck oncologist about the new lump, and she has moved up my 3- month post treatment scan a month. So I'll know more Monday.

Did they say what virus? Is it EBV or HPV?
C

HPV. They said I probably had it 40 years ago or so.

HPV is definitely a culprit; here is a link to several articles and news items on HPV if you are interested
Best
C

I have since had a ct scan, which showed that the "lump" is definitely a lymph node. I've seen a surgeon who recommended the node be completely removed and biopsied. At the same time, he's going to remove what's left of the nodes on the original affected side. Surgery is in 6 days. Until I hear the biopsy results, I feel like I'm in a holding pattern. For instance, I cannot now lose the feeding tube, even though I no longer use it. (Removal was iffy anyway, since my weight hasn't yet stabilized.) My visits with the speech therapist are also on hold, since most of what we discuss is what food I can eat, what with my dry mouth and throat and lack of teeth. I also made an appointment with my dentist, which I now may need to cancel.

How are you, beakmom? Have you had surgery? Do you have more results? I've been wondering about you.
~Marin

I had surgery on Friday, the 18th, and came home from the hospital yesterday, the 21st. They tell me the surgery went well. I will go back in 10 days for stitch removal, and by then they should have biopsy results. They did a neck dissection, so I now look as if someone had slit my throat, not quite from ear to ear. Plus the lymph fluid buildup in my chin makes me look like the men with goiters I used to see when I was a child. They say the swelling should go down in a couple of weeks, but that the numbness in my chin could last for a year. Oh, the special blessings of this disease. I may take up the hijab.

Great that you still have a sense of humor. Stay strong.