Please - Help with some Medical Terms

[labellavita81]

Hi Everyone,

I am a LONG time luker (every single day) but rarly post. I know there are a lot people on this board with medical education and I was hoping someone could help me with something.
I have a enlarged parotid gland mass (which was shown on ultrasound and is palpable and is right behind my ear...)
I had an ultrasound on it last year and it was within normal range...
Fast forward another year:
The US tech writes:

"Hypoechoic Heterogenous mass 15*15*9mm with internal vascularity, some through transmission, is probablly a solid celluar mass. Compared to the previous ultrasound exam, demonstrates significant growth. Probably a parotic gland mass. Recommend CT scan for further staging. Also recomment ENT referral. Must rule out malignancy"

They recommened I have a CT scan for further staging (what does this mean???) and a fine needle aspiration..

I am not looking for any medical advice...
I am just wondering what all this means. Every single person I have ever known where "possible cancer" has shown up on an ultrasound has ended up being so.

The Doc wants all the tests - CT scan and bipsy done right away.

I just want to know what all the quoted medical jargon means in layments terms.
If someone could please help me that would be great.
I just want honesty and no sugar coating - which I find my doc gives me.

Thanking you SO much in advance.


***typinf on IPad - edited to fix some spelling - probably didnt get it all!*****

 

[madelise]

If I were you, I'd make an appointment with your doctor with the intent to sit down and talk to him about all this. People all over the internet will give you random advice, and you have no idea who is writing it. If you don't like what your physician tells you, get a 2nd opinion from another doctor.

Seeking medical advice via the internet is treacherous waters. WebMD will always tell you you're going to die. And opening up any medical discussion on the net will get solicited and unsolicited advice. So if your MD wants those tests done, by golly, go get them done.. regardless of what anyone else may tell you.

 

[labellavita81]

I will be doing all these tests. I am not asking for medical advice.. I just wanted to know the definition of those medical terms. I asked the doctor but to be honest it was a lot for me to take in at once. I am not expecting someone to say.... your going to die - or everything will be ok. Just hoping for some clarification on what exactly the US results mean.

 

[Kaleigh]

Your doc should have given and defined these terms with you. I am very sorry you are going through this. But asking medical advice on a diamond forum really is stretching it. I also wouldnt be doing Dr google either. Call your doc tomorrow and say you have questions and could he please answer them.

Best thing, is to write them down ahead of time..

So when he calls you can go to your list and not get distracted.

Hope this helps.. Hope all is fine with you..

Please let us know what he says... Good luck...

 

[labellavita81]

AGAIN - not seeking medical advice.. I am just asking what these "medical terms" mean in laymen's terms.
Anyways -Since I have been lurking on this board I have seen plenty of people talk about medical issues- get information and help each other on here. So, I did not really think I would be stretching it. It is, what it is. I will have admin remove the thread.

 

[madelise]

I don't know why you're offended by my or kayleigh's advice? Yes, there has been a few threads here talking about conditions, but all it really ends up being is other members giving their empathy and/or experience... Which causes more of a freak out. It's your Dr's responsibility to make sure you know what is going on.. And if he or she isn't keeping you in the loop, in everyday language, it is your responsibility to ask for him or her to clarify. If that doesn't work, seek a 2nd opinion.

The thing with the net is, you'll always get someone's WRONG answers. That will only cause you more anguish. They'll give you their biased, nonprofessional opinions, and set you off on a panic. No responsible healthcare practitioner would take on giving explanations without your whole medical hx in front of them. That's why I say to seek your actual physician's help.

I *dont* know how to answer your Qs, and *I'm* not trained to. I *could* go and read a medical dictionary for all the terms you put, but why would you trust me? Anyone else can do the same, but why should you trust them? Heck, medterm.com! You can do it yourself! But this sounds like a way too serious situation for anyone to just grab a dictionary to help you decode.. And possibly ease a situation that shouldn't be eased, or spike a freak out when there should be calm.

So I stick to my original advice and truly hope you are able to get your dr to spend some time with you and clarify what has been going on.. And wish you all the luck in the world for luck on the results.. I know you're probably not liking that you're not getting the answers you want, but there's NO need to get upset at what realistic & safe! advice was offered. I felt it was better to make the nod here rather than have an empty thread. Oops, my bad, maybe I should have skipped this thread and not cared? And trust that it has nothing to do with you lurking? You had to explain that twice so I have a feeling you think it's that? I'm telling you 100% exactly like how I'd tell my BFF and grandmother.

 

[Mico]

Hi Everyone,

I am a LONG time luker (every single day) but rarly post. I know there are a lot people on this board with medical education and I was hoping someone could help me with something.
I have a enlarged parotid gland mass (which was shown on ultrasound and is palpable and is right behind my ear...)
I had an ultrasound on it last year and it was within normal range...
Fast forward another year:
The US tech writes:

"Hypoechoic Heterogenous mass 15*15*9mm with internal vascularity, some through transmission, is probablly a solid celluar mass. Compared to the previous ultrasound exam, demonstrates significant growth. Probably a parotic gland mass. Recommend CT scan for further staging. Also recomment ENT referral. Must rule out malignancy"

They recommened I have a CT scan for further staging (what does this mean???) and a fine needle aspiration..

I am not looking for any medical advice...
I am just wondering what all this means. Every single person I have ever known where "possible cancer" has shown up on an ultrasound has ended up being so.

The Doc wants all the tests - CT scan and bipsy done right away.

I just want to know what all the quoted medical jargon means in layments terms.
If someone could please help me that would be great.
I just want honesty and no sugar coating - which I find my doc gives me.

Thanking you SO much in advance.


***typinf on IPad - edited to fix some spelling - probably didnt get it all!*****

Hi,
rough translation, you have a mass that is larger than your last imaging. they want to know if it's something bad (malignancy) or ok (benign).
staging is done with different systems using different criteria. Radiologic ("xray film") staging usually consists of the size of your mass, lymph node enlargement or lack there-of, and metastasis (movement of the mass to other areas that can be seen on films). This is called TNM staging.
The biopsy will provide pathologic staging... that's another topic.

in general - I would have your doctor sit down and explain these to you in detail, again. It doesn't hurt to hear it from someone who knows you and your history the best. I wish you the best.

 

[crown1]

Hi Everyone,

I am a LONG time luker (every single day) but rarly post. I know there are a lot people on this board with medical education and I was hoping someone could help me with something.
I have a enlarged parotid gland mass (which was shown on ultrasound and is palpable and is right behind my ear...)
I had an ultrasound on it last year and it was within normal range...
Fast forward another year:
The US tech writes:

"Hypoechoic Heterogenous mass 15*15*9mm with internal vascularity, some through transmission, is probablly a solid celluar mass. Compared to the previous ultrasound exam, demonstrates significant growth. Probably a parotic gland mass. Recommend CT scan for further staging. Also recomment ENT referral. Must rule out malignancy"

They recommened I have a CT scan for further staging (what does this mean???) and a fine needle aspiration..

I am not looking for any medical advice...
I am just wondering what all this means. Every single person I have ever known where "possible cancer" has shown up on an ultrasound has ended up being so.

The Doc wants all the tests - CT scan and bipsy done right away.

I just want to know what all the quoted medical jargon means in layments terms.
If someone could please help me that would be great.
I just want honesty and no sugar coating - which I find my doc gives me.

Thanking you SO much in advance.


***typinf on IPad - edited to fix some spelling - probably didnt get it all!*****

Hi,
rough translation, you have a mass that is larger than your last imaging. they want to know if it's something bad (malignancy) or ok (benign).
staging is done with different systems using different criteria. Radiologic ("xray film") staging usually consists of the size of your mass, lymph node enlargement or lack there-of, and metastasis (movement of the mass to other areas that can be seen on films). This is called TNM staging.
The biopsy will provide pathologic staging... that's another topic.

in general - I would have your doctor sit down and explain these to you in detail, again. It doesn't hurt to hear it from someone who knows you and your history the best. I wish you the best.

thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with the op. i was hoping someone like you would post.

 

[labellavita81]

Thank you Mico, thats the info I needed to give me a bit of clarification.
I really appreciate it!

 

[Mico]

anytime

 

[Enerchi]

anytime

Thanks for that Mico, that was a wonderful simple explanation. I'm sure OP is relieved to 'hear' it put simply.

 

[movie zombie]

Mico's response will now enable the OP to discuss questions with her dr and formulate questions.

she can also tell her dr that she did not understand anything he said and that she had to seek outside help to get an understandable translation and that in the future any conversation will need to be in terms the she understands and if not that the she is going to insist on taking the dr's time until the OP understand completely what the dr is trying to say.

dr's need the feedback that they are not meeting the patient's needs.

 

[Mico]

dr's need the feedback that they are not meeting the patient's needs.

+1, doctors need feedback.

I've always, however, found that you get further in life with sugar vs. vinegar. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand. 1/3 of the battle for doctors is learning medical terminology, the other 2/3 is learning how to translate it back to "english."

 

[movie zombie]

[quote="Mico|1344616000|3249187....I've always, however, found that you get further in life with sugar vs. vinegar. Do not be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand. 1/3 of the battle for doctors is learning medical terminology, the other 2/3 is learning how to translate it back to "english."

[/quote]



agreed: on can be assertive w/o being aggressive. this would be an instance of being polite yet "i didn't understand a word of that, dr" moments. even admitting "i need some help to understand what this all means". and then asking the questions that the OP asked here.

i do think many times drs assume patients understand because the patient doesn't say otherwise! the dr is not a mindreader. we as consumers need to ask the questions and that may involve being as persistent re medical issues as we are re diamond/jewelry/color stone purchases.

 

[miraclesrule]

Labela, I had the same thing. It was a small little mass behind my left ear that I didn't think much about. One day while at work I went to knock back the reamining soda in a can and when I tilted my head back I felt a lot of pain. I was surprised to discover that the mass was enlarged. I first went to my oral surgeon who ruled out any infection and he referred me to the ENT. Right before my scheduled appt, I lost my job and my insurance. Because the mass could have been cancerous, I was a very worried girl. I was an unemployed single mom who was close to selling her car just to pay cash for a needle aspiration biopsy. As luck would have it, I was able to come up with the $500 my ENT agreed to charge me for the aspiration which included Versed. Best amnesiac EVER!

The pathology report came back as benign, but it was still growing and threatening to interfere with facial nerves. I did not want to look like Mary Jo Buttafucco with partial paralysis. I gained employment within six months and the week that my insurance was in effect, I had the tumor removed from my left parotid gland. I did have a complication called Fryes syndrome which still affects me to this day.

When they perform the surgery, they do have to sever some nerves to gain access to the gland. In some cases, such as mine, a particular nerve did not regenerate. This is how it works. When you masticate, or chew, your brain sends a signal to your salivary glands to say "hey, chewing food here, need some saliva to help this process", but that nerve was clipped and never regenerated. So when I chew a lot...like gorging on nachos, I will actually salivate OUTSIDE the skin on the back of my left ear. I just wipe it with a napkin, but it is really random. It took a long time to figure that out, but at least I know what it was. I just kept thinking I was flicking ketchup or something that was making my hair wet at the top of my ear. Wow, such fun memories.

Aftervthe surgery, you will have some drains and a star trek like piece of plastic in your face that comes out in a week. The worst part was the fact that when I smiled only half my face would smile, so I had to cover my face for a month or so before it started to recover nerve function and now all I have is a little scar behind my left ear and a little slack under my chin on my left side.

Nearly all parotid rumors are benign. The danger is having them grow to the point that they permanent damage facial nerves, so my advice is to get it removed ASAP. Find an awesome ENT who is experienced in this type of surgery. Good Luck. I am not proofing this for typos.

 

[labellavita81]

Miraclesrule, thank you so much for posting about your experience.
I saw the ENT on Friday - he took a biopsy, now I am sore and bruised right behind my ear but.. it was nice to hear that paritod cancer is very rare - I read that in 2007 there were 198 cases in Canada (which is where I am)

My family doc scared me a bit because she seemed worried... but now I am feeling better about it all after seeing the ENT!
I should get the results back in a week or so, then I will go back and see him. I guess depending on the results we will discuss removing it.

Thanks again, its nice to hear from someone who has been through the same situation!

 

[Kaleigh]

Thanks you soooo very much for sharing this MR. I know it will help many. xoxo

 

[miraclesrule]

Labela: That is great news! The most difficult part is the waiting. I am confident that your growth with be benign. I always say that since I already have a funky scar behind my left ear, it will be awesome when I need to get a facelift in the future because I am already used to having that scar.

Fingers crossed for you and I'm here if you need to talk about it. You don't really want to talk much after surgery, so the computer will be your best friend.

Kaleigh: My pleasure to assist. I don't often have much to contribute, so it's a joy when I can.