I have a lump in my throat and don't know what it is?

332>I%26#039;ve had a lump in my throat since January. It%26#039;s just under my jaw on the right side. I%26#039;ve been to the doctor twice and both times they said it was a bacterial infection. They prescribed anti-biotics both times, the second time the doctor said the anti-biotic was stronger than penicillin and the lump would go away. That was in May, the lump is still there and I have been getting massive head aches. It hurts when I lift my head higher than normal. The lump seems to change sizes, but it%26#039;s always there. I can%26#039;t really afford to go the doctor again. Has anyone had anything like this and what happened? Could this be cancer?
Reply:I have just been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (cancer of the tonsil with a neck metastatic) My symptoms are exactly like yours. Get a CT scan with dye as soon as possible.





I leave to Seattle tomorrow and take the next step I%26#039;ll let you know what to expect......Good Luck
Reply:see a DR.
Reply:could it be phlegm email mew if im wrong
Reply:There are a lot of glands in the soft flesh of the neck area, called lymph glands, which swell up when an area nearby is infected, or sometimes when fighting a whole body infection. The swelling can linger even once the infection is gone - sometimes lymph glands stay a bit lumpy for years. I had glandular fever in my late teens, after which these glands were swollen for ages, and I have a permanently hard gland at the corner of my jaw.


However, if it%26#039;s really worrying you, you CAN afford to go to the doctor. Ask them for a proper explanation, so you fully understand your symptoms.
Reply:adams apple
Reply:virus%26#039;s can cause enlarged glands and it can take weeks for the glands to shrink back to normal size...and if it was a virus antibiotics don%26#039;t cure that...only time does.





If you are still concerned about it go to your doctor. Could be it just needs time to shrink or maybe it is something else, mono or a cyst of some kind. I certainly wouldn%26#039;t worry yourself too much of cancer as it could be dozens of other things. Not every lump or bump is cancerous.





Also, it is pretty hard to tell if a swollen gland is from bacteria or virus. So sometimes it is treated as though it were a bacteria and an antibiotic is given to err on the side of caution..but it may just truly be from a virus. You should try and go to the same doctor and not always to a different one if possible. If you have a family doctor go to him.
Reply:No I don%26#039;t think it is cancer stop getting so worked up.Go to a clinic and do some blood work have your TSH Level checked it sounds like your thyroid. If your levels on your lab work is elevated they will further test such as a thyroid scan and ultrasound of your thyroid.I%26#039;m not sure how old you are most times a thyroid problem will arise after you have had a child.Thyroid pend to get nodules or what your doc might call goiters both tend to feel like knots in your throat sometimes hard to swallow also.Have you notice you self being tired all the time either losing or gaining weight this maybe your problem hypothyroidism or hyperthroidism.Hope i could help * nuclear medicine tech*
Reply:This sounds like a salivary gland that is infected or has a stone in it. I doubt the headaches are related, but then I am just diagnosing from guess work.
Reply:Do you have cats? Have they scratched you lately? Cat stracth fever can cause enlarged lymph nodes..If that isnt the case you should really go back. I however had an enlarged lymphnode and the doc took it out and it was fine.i also have cats..
Reply:It could be alot of things. Cancer is one of them. I would stay on your doctor and get a second opinion.