Cancer Research UK main site

Mass behind ear

Sophie1897
Offline

Hi all, sorry if this does not belong here, and sorry im advance for the long post

I have quite bad health anxiety and Im going to register with a GP today. I have been obsessing over my lymph nodes. I have chronic acid reflux/gerd and this has similar symptoms to oesophogeal cancer, so I have been obsessing lately. I am only 23, i do smoke but less than 10 a day, and I know this cancer is pretty much unheard of in someone my age. I have a couple of swollen lymph modes in my neck that are moveable, which aren't causing me massive concern, although all the poking and prodding has made my neck sore. 

About 2 hours ago, I was rubbing my neck and tilted my head foward. I rubbed up behind my ear, and felt a fairly large, almost bony lump. I can only feel it with my head tilted foward and I have the same on the other side only smaller. It hurts if I press on it, but whats causing me concern is how hard it is. I'll feel daft if it is normal, it's just making me so nervous, and the thought of waiting for the registration to go through to get an appointment is scaring me. 

  • Offline

    To add, it isnt directly behind my ear, more in line with the corner of my jaw 

  • Offline in reply to Sophie1897

    Hi Sophie

    I also found a hard lump behind my ear/in line with my jaw line. Only on my left side though. I went to my doctors at the beginning of September who didn't know what it could be, they thought it was just bone but sent me for an ultrasound to make sure. 
    I had the ultrasound mid October, it showed a lump and they did some biopsies there and then. 2 days later my doctors called to tell me I have a pleomorphic adenoma tumour in one of my salivary glands (I'm 29) 

    Luckily it's benign at the moment and most are :) about 6% turn cancerous. I urge you to get this checked but try not to panic as it may not be what I have!  If your doctors aren't sure then please make sure you are sent for further tests.

    I've only just had an MRI this Tuesday after waiting for 8 weeks since an appointment with a specialist....I phoned the hospital and it was clear they'd missed me off the list! 
    I'm now waiting to hear about the results from the scan and I'm on the waiting list (apparently) to have the tumour removed. 

    Always here if you want to ask any questions or just someone to talk to :) 

    Best wishes, Sam

  • Offline in reply to Sammie123

    Thank you for replying. I had a google (of course I did) and it seems that even if it were that, and it was cancerous, its very treatable. I spent so long prodding and pressing it last night that my neck is super sore now, which isn't helping. Just hoping I'll ve okay and it'll turn out to be nothing. 

     

    I'm glad to hear yours was benign, and good luck with the scan results. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.