Neck/Jaw Nymph Nodes
 

End of December, I went to see my family doctor about a lump under my neck area (near back of my jaw). Sent me in for Ultrasound and it turns out to be nothing "sinister" according my doctor, my lymph nodes appear to be swollen. Told me not to worry about it as long as it's not growing or creating pain.

Fast forward to now, this past week starting to notice that area seems a bit bigger than I recall. Starting to become worried as the lump feels like around 1.5-2cm in size (size of half a peanut). It's not hard, but soft and can move around. Honestly in my heart I want to fly back to Asia (can't right now due to Covid) to seek a second opinion with private medical as I have my doubts about our health care system misdiagnosing (which has happened to my mother and both times cancer they told her nothing and her second opinion proved our medical system completely failed on her).

What would you guys do if you were in my situation? Go back to family doctor and request another checkup to check for growth? Ignore it since I already did an Ultrasound 3 months ago? Anyone encounter this health issue/know any of has?

I’d press your doctor. Last year my 18 y/o cousin* had a lump on his neck, came out of nowhere. Within 48h he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

You know your body best and what is or isn’t normal. Push for exams

Edit: cousin not nephew

I'm gonna call tomorrow to book an appointment to see him.

I have zero symptoms and also they checked my blood cells when I did the Ultrasound 3 months ago, everything normal.

Can't speak on your case, but I've had a lump in that exact spot since I was like 18. It gets a bit bigger and sensitive when I get sick, but that's about it.

It's called a lymph nodule and is benign.

I have something similar as well. Years ago they slit my neck open and some tissue was removed for testing, it came back negative. Sometimes when I have a sore neck, from playing sports, I also get the impression that it gets bigger.

it's probably nothing but better safe than sorry to follow-up

get your physician/dentist to refer you to the vgh oral medicine/pathology

one of the specialists there also has his own office (referral also required)
https://opusoralhealth.ca/

Went to get ultrasound just now. We'll see what happens and go from there once results come back.

Update again - Just got a evening call from my doctor, sending me for biopsy. :(

Starting to kinda annoy me waiting for Mt. Saint Joseph to call me to let me know my appointment date/time. My doctor faxed in the referral form for the ultrasound biopsy last Thursday. I wish we have accessibility to private locally, pay and get this done ASAP.

Thought I update in case anyone may be going through a similar situation or have been in such situation. End of April was able to get ultrasound biopsy where they took a sample of some cells of inside of the lump @ VGH, they weren't able to determine anything due to small sample. Month later (end of May), this time they did a core needle biopsy where they took a sample of the tissue for examination. Early June, results came back negative, specialist told me its a reactive lymph node and don't need to do anything about it (but told me to come in 3 months for checkup).

Fast forward 2 months in now August, notice the lump has gotten bigger as before I had to fiddle around the neck to find the lump, now can just feel it easily. Just worried now as its gotten bigger and at what point do you actually do something about it since it's growing. I tried to call in today to see if I can get my 3 month appointment bumped up to see specialist sooner (but they are close for holiday still).

It's probably getting bigger because you keep fucking with it! Seriously, that can happen!

Find out what can cause lymph node inflammation, see if there's a supplement that helps with that, and relax and see if it shrinks. If anything, stressing about about it is making it bigger as well!

That wouldn't make sense to not touch it (touching would make it bigger). This isn't the penis lol.

For the past 2 months, my lifestyle been as relaxed than ever. I work at home working casually as long as I get the work done by deadlines (work at my own pace I'm comfortable with) and also more personal time due to not having to commute.

Hoping to get scheduled in earlier to see the specialist for checkup to see what options I have that we can proceed with. For now, just a waiting game.

I assume they checked your hormones before even doing a biopsy? Did they find anything there?

And yes, if you fuck around with a gland that is inflamed, it can cause it to become more inflamed! You're just irritating it more