1. Community
  2. Ears, nose, throat and mouth
  3. Salivary Gland Disorders

8mm Paraotid Abnormality After MRI Scan

Posted , 4 users are following.

mos786
mos786

I have MRI scans every 3-4 years due to a tumour I had removed years back & am under the care of a specialist consultant. As per clockwork, I received a letter last month for a MRI scan, which I had. Yesterday I received a call from the consultant who advised me that the scan came back normal on the area of where the tumour was, however, they noticed a abnormality of 8mm on my parotid. What does an abnormality actually mean? He could give me no more information and said I would receive a letter for a ultrasound and fine needle aspiration biopsy appointment shortly. I pressed for more information and he said as he wasn't a specialist in this field, he couldn't comment on what the scan had found, and I would have an appointment with a specialist in the next few weeks. The only thing he did say is that it's good that it's only 8mm and it's been caught before it could grow. I am sick with worry, I have been going crazy on Google and am thinking the absolute worst. Is it a tumour? Is it a stone? Is it cancerous? I haven't slept or ate as I'm sick with worry, I don't know how to tell my parents or wife. I feel fine and can't feel any lumps around my jaw area. Has anyone had similar experiences? Will I need an operation and chemo? What's the process from here? What actually is an abnormality?If anyone out there can help reassure me and tell me their experiences I would appreciate it tremendously. I start a new job in a few weeks and just feel so anxious.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • stacie07931
    stacie07931 mos786

    Posted

    parotid tumors are quite common. most of the time they are benign. but regardless if they benign or malignant they must come out. otherwise will continue to grow. i have heard from many people that biopsy in that area is not very reliable. much better to take out and then biopsy. i would suggest finding an ENT and go from there.

    • mos786
      mos786 stacie07931

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply. I have read the statistics that they are mostly benign but can't help but worry. I have been referred and am awaiting on an appointment from a ENT, but it will be at least 3 weeks until they can see me. By sounds of it, an operation will have to happen no matter the result of the biopsy?

    • stacie07931
      stacie07931 mos786

      Posted

      In my experience yes. I have an amazing ENT-and he gave me the option of doing the biopsy first, he said that results can be false positive and or negative sometimes....and that it would need to come out anyway. So I skipped one awful procedure (needle biopsy) and had the surgery. In my case the news wasn't good after-turned out to be Acinic Cell Carcinoma, stage 2 but after surgery and radiation I have been great. There are some support groups on FB that I am on parotid tumors-lot of people in similiar situations, and you can get a lot of your questions answered there as well by people who have been there done that. Good luck to you!

  • tracy42407
    tracy42407 mos786

    Posted

    I understand your fear , I advise you to go to your dentist and have a Pano xray done to see if the 8 mm object shows up there . I had a salivary duct stone measuring 8 mm and it showed up on the pano xray , yours is in a different gland than mine but it should still show up , maybe this will help ease your mind while you wait to see the other doctor. Dentists see these stones often in this type of xray. Another xray alot of oral surgeons do is called a cone beam xray . you could also go see an oral surgeon . Best of luck to you!

  • mos786
    mos786

    Posted

    Thanks for all your responses...I have taken them on board and slightly calmed down. I will contact a dentist this week to see if they can help with a scan. Hopefully the NHS appointment comes through shortly. I will let you all know once I know....Thanks again.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.