Lump on neck near jaw line. Had been treated for breast cancer. Can it be cancer?
Patient: I had breast cancer 2 years ago, one lymph node was positive. I had lumpectomy , axillary clearance, 8 rounds of chemo and 30 radio. I now have a lump on my neck, on the same side as my cancer, about an inch in diameter, its just below my ear but not exactly on my jawline, I noticed it a few weeks ago, but I m not sure exactly how long ago. Doctor: The lump that you describe is possibly a lymph node in the upper part of the neck. Lymph nodes are present in all parts of our body and get enlarged due to infection or cancer in the draining area. Now, the area that you have described is not part of the normal draining pattern of breast cancer. Had it been in the lower part of the neck i would have been more worried. Another possibility is that it may be an enlargement of the parotid gland ( a gland that produces saliva and is present in the neighbourhood of the ear). It can be enlarged in a variety of conditions including cancer. In short, you need to see your oncologist to ascertain which of the two it is. He will have to get a needle test done to decide upon its nature (FNAC). Meanwhile you can start yourself on Tab Ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily for 5 days to take care of an infective etiology.