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Q: Lump in left neck

asked by: AnnJn on January 3rd, 2009

New User

My son, 12, has a lump (non-tender) in his left neck since mid Nov 08. The ENT prescribed antibiotics (curam) and papain for swelling and the lump gets smaller. After 2 weeks, the ENT did a scoop/scan thru nose and also an X-ray on his chest and the results are OK. My son is again on another cause of antibiotics (curam)and papain for a week but the lump is exist, no doubt smaller. My mum recommended Chinese herbs and this works for awhile. The lump gets tender and almost not visible.

Recently, 2 days ago, his lump came back and I took him to another ENT to get a second opinion. The ENT arranged him for a CT scan yesterday and the result shows that the lump or so called mass lesion measures about 54.4 x 33.5 x 41.3 mm. When I ask the ENT what is this lump, whether it is an inflammation or a cyst, he answered me that he also doesn't know what it is. He just said it is benign and needs surgical removal. When I couldn't get an exact answer from him, I told him that I will not now let him undergo this surgical op and would rather let him try another course of antibiotics.. The ENT is not professional at all. Pls help.. I will attach d rpt.

Replies(4)

motherofhighspiritedones

replied on January 3rd, 2009

Moderator

The problem with cysts is that unless they are removed, they will continue to refill after a course of antibiotics. The best way for the ENT to diagnose your son is to either biopsy the lump or to excise (remove) it. He is not being unprofessional, it is in his best interest to answer you honestly, and he is doing so by stating he doesn't quite know what the lump is. The best thing for you to do is either get a second opinion if you are totally unsure or to allow the ENT to either biopsy the lump to see what the contents of the filled sac are or to remove the lump to see what it contains. Antibiotics are not a cure as if the lump is a cyst or benign node/tumor, once the antibiotic course has stopped, the tumor/cyst will refill. This lump could be an overactive lymph node as well, I have had one. Its benign and just a node that fills with lymph faster than normal. I had mine (from my armpit) removed, no problems since.

Users who thank motherofhighspiritedones for this post: AnnJn

AnnJn

replied on January 9th, 2009

New User

Thank you

Hi, thank you very much for your prompt reply... I have consulted another doctor and his advice is exactly what you have mentioned... to do a biopsy to determine what it is before removal.

becca44

replied on January 26th, 2009

New User

me too

i am a 13 year old female and recently found a lump under the skin on the left side of my neck. It is painful when I touch it and it also moves back and forth when i touch it. I am wondering if it could be the same thing. My mom is taking me to the doctor and i am kind of worried what they will find.

vickyh015

replied on May 16th, 2009

New User

Hi I am 16 years old, I found a painful limp on my neck it was really soar for the first 3 days I had it and now it has got smaller, I went to the hospital and the doctors says she thinks its a cyst, then I got refared to the hospital, I had to get blood took and I have to get an ultra sound the doctor says there checking to see if its glandular fever, I'm worried because I have been told 1 thing from 1 nurse and another from the 2nd one, I'm affraid incase it may be cancerous

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