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Tell me about my Tumor
SniperGuy
SniperGuyGamingRegistered User regular
SniperGuyGamingRegistered User regular
So I've got this tumor under my right ear which has affectionatly be dubbed Jenkins by the ventrilo crew. I've had it for a while, a few years, and the doctors have mostly seen it to me benign through biopsys and stuff. However, over the past few weeks (and as I type this) it has started to be in extreme pain. Burning pain, sharp pain, every kind of pain has shot through my skull due to this little lump. It's also sore to the touch, and where I previously could wiggle that ear, now I can't. I've got a doctor's appointment with my tumor doc on the 19th, but until then, I was hoping maybe someone with a few more biology classes under their belt could help me out.
Taking it out is a problem because there's a facial nerve on that side of my face hidden in scar tissue because of all the ear surgeries. If they nick that nerve, I get partial face paralysis. Again questions, how severe could that be? Can no longer raise my eyebrow, or so extensive as to have to manually blink my eye?
Why could it be in such pain, aside from that it's growing? Why would I have a tumor sprout up, and then have it STOP growing? I know I didn't have that thing 4 years ago.
I'm gonna ask these questions on the 19th, but some answers now would be great, since the pain and my general discomfort level are only getting worse. So any insight would be great. Thanks!
Taking it out is a problem because there's a facial nerve on that side of my face hidden in scar tissue because of all the ear surgeries. If they nick that nerve, I get partial face paralysis. Again questions, how severe could that be? Can no longer raise my eyebrow, or so extensive as to have to manually blink my eye?
Why could it be in such pain, aside from that it's growing? Why would I have a tumor sprout up, and then have it STOP growing? I know I didn't have that thing 4 years ago.
I'm gonna ask these questions on the 19th, but some answers now would be great, since the pain and my general discomfort level are only getting worse. So any insight would be great. Thanks!
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Unfortunatly "tumor in the side of my head+searing pain" sorta overshoots that automatically, but thanks for the sentiment!
some general info:
a cyst/tumor putting pressure on a nerve can cause sensations of pain or numbness that do not necessarily originate from the cyst/tumor itself.
there are lymph nodes near the area you describe (i'd say it's below the jaw, towards the outside and back, on either side of your throat). these can swell up painfully and feel warm to the touch when you have an infection. perhaps an infection is compounding your existing issue?
you should really let your caregiver know about this new/increased pain.
[size=+5]IT'S NAHT AH TOOMAH![/size]
My oncologist (yes, I had the big "C" myself) told me that some tumors do not generally cause pain (unless it's pressing against a nerve or something). Sounds like either (1) it's pressing against a nerve or (2) it's a cyst.
Either way, get that thing removed NOW; it can't possibly be healthy or attractive.
edit Gaddamit; posted with my Phalla alt. This is Squashua.
I think you could also find better advice from www.webmd.com.
Good Luck.
1. It depends on what cranial nerve they hit and the severity of that surgery. Obviously if you are going to have such a delicate procedure done then you need to schedule your surgery at the hands of a specialist at a larger medical center. If you tell me what state you live in I could suggest a place; otherwise I'd reccomend Mayo, University of Chicago Hospital, or UCLA Medical Center.
2. Tumors cause pain typically by compressing surrounding nerves or by destroying them. The burning pain you've described is usually due to some kind of nerve compression or damage (it's also termed neuropathic pain) in most institutions. As to why cancer will go through periods of remission and growth is still anyone's guess. My major question for you is whether or you have had any CT or MRI/MRA scans to determine if the tumor has crossed the cranium and is now snug against the brain or if it is superficial.
3. You really need to get your pain treated. Medically prescribed pain relievers or narcotics are incredibly safe and the risk of addiction is next to nothing. You are doing yourself no good by sitting around and being in discomfort while you worry about this. You also need to move up your appointment to sooner, this is not something I'd reccomend to any of my patients. What I tell my patients is this, "No one knows your body like you do." Clearly something is wrong, get your appointment moved up.
The above advice is from a senior nursing student who will take his state boards in two months. Again if you wanted to tell me what area you live in I can speak to some of the surgeons that work in my hospital to get you a referral.
And even if they do say "Yep, it's growing gotta get that out" I can't really get any surgery done until December anyways, what with college and all.
As for painkillers...I've got motrin!
Second Opinions are always ++.
yeah, cos college is more important than, oh, I dunno, NOT FUCKING DYING, is it?
It's those little things. I've had it for 2 years, and short of it bursting into my brain in the next few weeks, I doubt it'll kill me by December. I am not, of course, going to say "No, don't remove that" if they say that it IS gonna kill me. But the basic pain and shit I'm just gonna have to live with until at least December if it's not life threatening.
I've never heard of him, but I'll ask around to some of the surgeons on Wednesday and let you know.
Luckily his mother-in-law was a surgery nurse at Mayo clinic years prior and called the head of surgery there to get his opinion. His words were "Do not let them operate on him!" He came back to MN, went to Mayo and they checked him out, gave him a biopsy, and found it benign. They started radiation treatment 10 days later. Every day for 6 weeks he went in for radiation treatment and they gave him meds for the pain. 5 months later, he is back to work, his vision is no longer double, his headaches are gone, and the doctors say it could be 10 years before he has to come back for radiation, if ever.
tl;dr Get a second opinion. And do it today.
Um, the reason you're having severe pain could be that the tumor is pressing on that nerve. If that's the case (and I'm not saying it certainly is, just that it's a possibility) then you risk all those same side effects anyway, and if it is getting bigger, waiting is only going to increase the likelihood of complications.
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Yes, that's been the gist of the watching it so far. For the year or so we've known about it, I've had regular checkups to see if it's done anything weird, and only recently has it started being weird and seemingly acting up. If it's not growing or bothering, leave it in, etc. If it is, take it out because it's gonna do all the negative shit regardless.
Did I mention I'm 6 hours from home at college? Going to see a doctor immediately not the best option.
But before anyone operates I will definitely get a second opinion. And an opinion on the doctor would be fantastic MegaMan. Thanks.
As far as pain goes, it's hurt before. That could probably be it just pushing on something (pinched nerve). I'm sure things like stress can also make it hurt. The pain shouldn't last long. I can't remember the last time mine hurt, most the time I forget about it, and don't even know it's there.
I've stopped worrying about mine, and actually turn it into one of the things to tell people when the topic of "weird things that have happen to you" comes up. I'm not going to tell you to not worry about it, because frankly, if it is bad, I don't want to be blamed. But if it's the same thing as myself, then it's nothing.
The whole "you might never move the left/right side of your face again" deal is really scary, enough to make a 15 year old girl cry for a week. But having a tumor in your head is even scarier because it can turn malignant at any point. And on top of that yours is growing and pinching nerves. You need to have it removed.
I have to admit, the loss of facial movement post surgery (it's called a parotidectomy) is pretty funny and got a week off of school
I still cover the left side of my face when I laugh because of those couple months even though I have full control of my entire face now.
When you have the surgery opt for the cut that loops around and under the ear. It's barely noticeable.
Well, I know with 100% certainty that it's a tumor, not a cyst. Thanks though.