Hi, I just saw your post and thought I'd make contact. I am due to see my surgeon tomorrow so feeling frightened and emotional at the moment. I didn't even realise I had a lump, it's not visible or palpable, I just thought I had a dodgy jaw following a tooth extraction about 18 months ago. But, due to another health situation, I had an MRI on my piruitary gland as they suspected a tumour there, and that was clear, but they found a nodule on my left lower parotid. Since then I had an ultrasound and the radiologist told me he had no concerns about this lump at all, and it was probably just a lymph node which will go down. However, less than 24 hours later the GP phoned me to tell me that the radiologist report had arrived and I was having an urgent two week referral for suspected head and neck cancer! You can imagine my shock and fear! The following day the hospital rang with my appointment, the one which is tomorrow. They told me it would just be a consultation and nothing more this time, but then the appointment letter came through and that says to allow three hours for the appointment, and that there would be tests and procedures! I am so frightened and so confused but no one seems to be able to help. I also tried to get information about this type of tumour and the tests etc. One of the problems with mine is it can't be felt or seen apart from on a scan. it's under the corner of my jaw. I'm not even sure what I'm asking for from this post, I just saw your post and thought I'd make contact.

Hi, I just saw your post and thought I'd make contact. I am due to see my surgeon tomorrow so feeling frightened and emotional at the moment. I didn't even realise I had a lump, it's not visible or palpable, I just thought I had a dodgy jaw following a tooth extraction about 18 months ago. But, due to another health situation, I had an MRI on my piruitary gland as they suspected a tumour there, and that was clear, but they found a nodule on my left lower parotid. Since then I had an ultrasound and the radiologist told me he had no concerns about this lump at all, and it was probably just a lymph node which will go down. However, less than 24 hours later the GP phoned me to tell me that the radiologist report had arrived and I was having an urgent two week referral for suspected head and neck cancer! You can imagine my shock and fear! The following day the hospital rang with my appointment, the one which is tomorrow. They told me it would just be a consultation and nothing more this time, but then the appointment letter came through and that says to allow three hours for the appointment, and that there would be tests and procedures! I am so frightened and so confused but no one seems to be able to help. I also tried to get information about this type of tumour and the tests etc. One of the problems with mine is it can't be felt or seen apart from on a scan. it's under the corner of my jaw. I'm not even sure what I'm asking for from this post, I just saw your post and thought I'd make contact.

Hi Sue, thank you for reaching out & please try not to worry yourself. I can tell that my lump was the same, so deep that the surgeon couldn't even feel it when I was asleep (under GA). The labels they use are quite frightening I know ie; head & neck cancer referral path, but it's for their purposes more than anything. The left side of my face was swollen & I originally thought it was tooth related, then they thought parotitis & then it was the same route as you - ultrasound, MRI & biopsy. Are you taking someone with you tomorrow, if you are great, because they'll probably remember a lot more than you will be able to, as the experience is quite surreal. If not - I had to go alone as it was during Covid times - I recorded everything on my phone with my surgeons consent, it's just hard to take it all in. Go prepared with any questions you have & remember they work wonders these days, so don't conclude anything now or you will just worry more. Tomorrow might be the biopsy, doesn't hurt though & everyone will be so reassuring. 

I don't know if I've helped, but please let me know how you get on & sending you a big hug x