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Suggest Treatment For Lump Under The Jaw Bone
Question: Hello,
I would like your help.
In November, i have found a hard pea sized lump deep deep under my lower jaw bone. Felt hard and attached to the jaw bone. I got very scared because in general i suffer from a great fear of diseases and i am slightly hypochondriac. I visited 2 doctors, 1. a general surgeon in November, and 2. an ENT last month in January. They both touched the lump with their hand but didn't seem concerned. They told me is probably a submandibular gland that for some reason got swollen.
However, they didn't do any further checks except from physical examination, they even told me forget about it and stop touching it. Do you think i should have any further testing (e.g. ultasound, xray) just to be sure? Or if 2 doctors told me is fine then i should trust them? I am concerned because the lump is still there 3 months after i found it and i heard that hard and attached lumps are dangerous? Plus i was never sick the last year. What do you think? Shall i further examine it? Is a physical examination enough for a doctor to figure out if something is dangerous or normal?
Thank you very much!
I would like your help.
In November, i have found a hard pea sized lump deep deep under my lower jaw bone. Felt hard and attached to the jaw bone. I got very scared because in general i suffer from a great fear of diseases and i am slightly hypochondriac. I visited 2 doctors, 1. a general surgeon in November, and 2. an ENT last month in January. They both touched the lump with their hand but didn't seem concerned. They told me is probably a submandibular gland that for some reason got swollen.
However, they didn't do any further checks except from physical examination, they even told me forget about it and stop touching it. Do you think i should have any further testing (e.g. ultasound, xray) just to be sure? Or if 2 doctors told me is fine then i should trust them? I am concerned because the lump is still there 3 months after i found it and i heard that hard and attached lumps are dangerous? Plus i was never sick the last year. What do you think? Shall i further examine it? Is a physical examination enough for a doctor to figure out if something is dangerous or normal?
Thank you very much!
Brief Answer:
FNAC / Biopsy / CT scan
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your queries, an elucidate history and understanding about the problem; the awareness is the key in may a problems that an early diagnosis and proper treatment can be instituted and most importantly alleviates the fear too.
To recapitulate : Female / 26 (young age for the cancers to occur) - heard pea-sized lump under jaw bone in Nov - scared - feared - hypochondriac - Consulted General Surgeon and an ENT Surgeon - palpated - not concerned - no further checks - asked to forget about it - Have queries related to this ...
I would like to know a few answers please !
- What is the exact size - you mean by pea-sized ?
- Has it increased / reduced / same over 3 months ?
-Any treatment in the form of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory medicines ?
- Any Dental problems you have ?
To answer your queries and at the same time to add to the points:
- Further testings : Certainly yes. This is because for the fears to be alleviated.
I would advise the following:
High resolution CT scan of the whole area.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC).
If required Excision biopsy, if you are ready to accept the scar.
-Obviously you should trust your Doctors. It is their duty to give your their valid opinion. And opinions differ.
-Hard and attached lumps are dangerous and is persistent for the last 3 months :
Yes, you are right to a certain extent. Any one who is not a Doctor is always willing to give you their advises depending upon their very small exposure to a certain given problem. You should not certainly listen to these people as they only either confuse you or create havoc.
-Being sick or no may not be related to your present problem.
-I think get further tests to go to the root of the problem and then only XXXXXXX is possible.
-Your last query is really tricky : is physical examination enough ?
Certainly not.
This is because Medical field is evidence based and it is better to either confirm a problem or rule-out the possibilities by FNAC / Biopsy / CT scan.
I hope this answers your queries and help you to get going towards getting or ruling-out a particular fear you have.
Please feel free to ask further relevant queries or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.
FNAC / Biopsy / CT scan
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your queries, an elucidate history and understanding about the problem; the awareness is the key in may a problems that an early diagnosis and proper treatment can be instituted and most importantly alleviates the fear too.
To recapitulate : Female / 26 (young age for the cancers to occur) - heard pea-sized lump under jaw bone in Nov - scared - feared - hypochondriac - Consulted General Surgeon and an ENT Surgeon - palpated - not concerned - no further checks - asked to forget about it - Have queries related to this ...
I would like to know a few answers please !
- What is the exact size - you mean by pea-sized ?
- Has it increased / reduced / same over 3 months ?
-Any treatment in the form of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory medicines ?
- Any Dental problems you have ?
To answer your queries and at the same time to add to the points:
- Further testings : Certainly yes. This is because for the fears to be alleviated.
I would advise the following:
High resolution CT scan of the whole area.
Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC).
If required Excision biopsy, if you are ready to accept the scar.
-Obviously you should trust your Doctors. It is their duty to give your their valid opinion. And opinions differ.
-Hard and attached lumps are dangerous and is persistent for the last 3 months :
Yes, you are right to a certain extent. Any one who is not a Doctor is always willing to give you their advises depending upon their very small exposure to a certain given problem. You should not certainly listen to these people as they only either confuse you or create havoc.
-Being sick or no may not be related to your present problem.
-I think get further tests to go to the root of the problem and then only XXXXXXX is possible.
-Your last query is really tricky : is physical examination enough ?
Certainly not.
This is because Medical field is evidence based and it is better to either confirm a problem or rule-out the possibilities by FNAC / Biopsy / CT scan.
I hope this answers your queries and help you to get going towards getting or ruling-out a particular fear you have.
Please feel free to ask further relevant queries or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello Dr. Chandrakant,
Thanks a lot for your message.
The lump is under my lower jaw at the left side. It is round and small, about 1 cm maybe.. The size stayed the same over the 3 months.
I did't take antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications. No dental problems but i need to mention that i have a partially erupted wisdom tooth at the left side of my lower jaw.
Also, the area under my tongue at the left side feels swollen. I cannot really see it but when i put my tongue to the left side, there is not enough space while there is a lot of space in the right side under tongue.
Thanks a lot for your message.
The lump is under my lower jaw at the left side. It is round and small, about 1 cm maybe.. The size stayed the same over the 3 months.
I did't take antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications. No dental problems but i need to mention that i have a partially erupted wisdom tooth at the left side of my lower jaw.
Also, the area under my tongue at the left side feels swollen. I cannot really see it but when i put my tongue to the left side, there is not enough space while there is a lot of space in the right side under tongue.
Brief Answer:
Get investigated .
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
This may be a lymph node or a submandibular salivary gland.
CT scan and FNAC will prove what it is and help resolve the issues.
The erupting wisdom on the same side may be a reason.
The medicines may or may not help as it is already 3 months.
Swollen area under the tongue on the same side can be due to the same lump.
Since you are worried so much, it is better to get investigated, you can take a second opinion and insist on the investigations as I have advised.
It is the best way to know the exact diagnosis.
Get investigated .
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
This may be a lymph node or a submandibular salivary gland.
CT scan and FNAC will prove what it is and help resolve the issues.
The erupting wisdom on the same side may be a reason.
The medicines may or may not help as it is already 3 months.
Swollen area under the tongue on the same side can be due to the same lump.
Since you are worried so much, it is better to get investigated, you can take a second opinion and insist on the investigations as I have advised.
It is the best way to know the exact diagnosis.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello Dr Chandrakant,
I have visited the doctor today, a general surgeon, and he did a physical examination of the lump and he checked my glands in all areas of my body including neck, under arms etc . He said that my glands look healthy and he insisted that i do not need any further testing. He also told me that probably is a muscle or nerve, not a gland, and that i have the same one, just smaller, on the right side as well. He said that it's my jaws structure like that and he suggests me to not do any further testing. What do you think?
I have visited the doctor today, a general surgeon, and he did a physical examination of the lump and he checked my glands in all areas of my body including neck, under arms etc . He said that my glands look healthy and he insisted that i do not need any further testing. He also told me that probably is a muscle or nerve, not a gland, and that i have the same one, just smaller, on the right side as well. He said that it's my jaws structure like that and he suggests me to not do any further testing. What do you think?
Brief Answer:
Please talk to the Family Doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your feedback.
Great, you have now taken a third opinion, that too of a General Surgeon. His opinion of this being muscle or nerve, have a smaller on the other side and that your jaw structure is like that; is bit difficult for me to agree upon.
I am not much aware of the medical system prevalent in your country, but the management is pretty standard all over the world.
If you have a Family Doctor, talk to Him / Her and get investigations done, specifically to rule out a certain problem and be sure and most important stress-free and have no anxiety at all.
Please talk to the Family Doctor.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your feedback.
Great, you have now taken a third opinion, that too of a General Surgeon. His opinion of this being muscle or nerve, have a smaller on the other side and that your jaw structure is like that; is bit difficult for me to agree upon.
I am not much aware of the medical system prevalent in your country, but the management is pretty standard all over the world.
If you have a Family Doctor, talk to Him / Her and get investigations done, specifically to rule out a certain problem and be sure and most important stress-free and have no anxiety at all.
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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