I had an ultrasound of my neck last Wednesday because I have what I thought was problems with a salivary gland - swelling and pain just under my jaw and under my tongue. The radiologist told me that I had several slightly enlarged lymph nodes and the one causing the discomfort was somewhat larger and he felt a needle biopsy would be a good idea. He said he thought it could be reactive to the surgery I had in January but that he was concerned enough to warrant the biopsy.

This took me by complete surprise as I hadn't even thought about it being something to worry about (cancer - there, I said it )as I was told that the type of cancer I had three years ago, ameloblastic carcinoma, did not metastasise. I know I am jumping the gun, not even having had the biopsy taken yet but I wonder if you have any knowledge of this type of cancer as it is so rare and I can't find much information about it anywhere.

Hi

I know it must be worrying for you but most swelling of the glands is infection not cancer even thoughits an awful word I sure the good doc on here will be able to give uma better dianoses thanI but I know it must bne worrying for you.

Type the cancer into google its a good site and you will find something on this cancer

Hello Jan

Your radiation oncologist is just playing safe as only the planned biopsy can confirm absence or presence of anything abnormal.

Ameloblastoma can recur, even many years later. Ameloblastoma is the most common epithelial odontogenic tumor, comprising 1% of all oral tumors. It is considered to be locally invasive. (Hence, you were told that it did not metastasise.) The treatment modalities include conservative and radical treatment depending on the type of ameloblastoma. Unilocular ameloblastomas are mostly of plexiform type. The treatment is conservative but in some cases, conservative treatment resulted in recurrence of the tumor. Multilocular variants are mostly follicular type and showed a low recurrence rate following radical resection. However, the aggressive nature and its tendency to recur are well documented. This web page has more information about a recurrent ameloblastoma

Hence, the need for life long follow-ups and vigilance. It might sound like a life-sentence but it is not much different from the fact that a tumour can arise in any one of us anytime! :alert:

Try not to worry, limit your thoughts to: """It is a lump, and I need a biopsy to find out what it is.""" Use the relaxation exercises in the Spiritual Help section to help you take your mind off worrying.

Best wishes

Vinod
:coffee: