Do I have cancer?

Question

Today I had discovered a small lump under my the right side of my jaw bone. I am 13. Do I have any type of cancer? I really need answers FAST! I am scared, and bawling my eyes out. I need answers!

Today I had discovered a small lump under my the right side of my jaw bone. I am 13. Do I have any type of cancer? I really need answers FAST! I am scared, and bawling my eyes out. I need answers! I also have a big canker sore, if that makes a difference...

also have a big canker sore, if that makes a difference...

Answer 1

It is probably that your lymph node is swollen. The lymph nodes fight infections in the body. You could be getting a cold or flu. I seriously do not think that it is cancer. Just have your parents take you to your doctor. I am sure that this will make you feel better.

Answer 2

A lump under the jaw bone could be nothing more than a swollen gland. The person who can tell you is your doctor.

It seems unlikely, at 13, that you would have cancer, but if it is, the sooner you get to the doctor, the better chance you have of survival.

A friend of mine was afraid to go to the doctors, because he didn't want to hear he had cancer. He's dead now because he waited five years. I had the same kind of cancer but went to the doctors immediately, was treated, and am now in good health.

I know a lot of cancer survivers.

You probably don't have cancer, but you need to know for sure so you can stop crying and get your homework done.

Go to the Docs

Best wishes

Answer 3

You may have a backed up salivary gland..which just means the water that comes into your mouth to help you chew and digest food, comes through a salivary gland. Sometimes these glands get infected or blocked and can swell up. It is not life threatening and will probably go down on it's own.
I doubt very seriously you have any type of cancer. However, if it does not go down, and becomes painful, red or more swollen, have your mother take a look at it, and go to the doctor, you may just need an antibiotic.
You could also be getting swollen glands which most kids your age get...don't cry, you should be absolutely fine!!!

Answer 4

You have a whole bunch of lymph nodes under your jaw bone. Thats why when you go to the doctor and he pokes his fingers into your neck and under your jaw, he is checking to see if any of the nodes are swollen. This is a good indication of an infection. If you have canker sores on your mouth, your immune system is probably down because of the weather and the sickness everyone has during this season. Your fine. You will notice this small lump will go away in a few weeks and you will be fine. Sometimes they turn hard and stay forever. Dont worry about yourself. I just wanted to let you know my specialty is cancer and I am an
RN in a hospital.

Answer 5

no, its probably just a lymph node. lymph nodes are part of ur immune system, if ur fighting of an infection (example a cold, the flu, a sore throat, a sinus infection) anything like that, they will become slighty swollen, possibly a little painful to the touch. that might be why u just now noticed it for the first time. im sure you're just fine, im 16, and i did the same thing when i was little, its fine. however (just to be on the safe side) if the bump isn't gone in say, 2 weeks, talk to ur parents and tell them how long u've noticed it; it may be a bad bump, or maybe ur about to get sick. don't worry about it, good luck :)
ah, i just read the canker sore part, that is probably why u have the bump :)

Answer 6

The chance of you having cancer at your age is extremely small. It's probably not cancer, but if it IS cancer the sooner its diagnosed the easier it is to treat. So...go tell your parents right now! They will make an appt. with your doctor if they think its suspicious. Dont be afraid cause its probably just swollen glands.

Blessings

Answer 7

Behind the jaw bone (retromandibular) and under the earlobe there are many structures (skin, bone, nerves, Lymph nodes, the parotid salivary gland, etc). A bump can develop from any of those structures.

Small soft glands (less than 1cm in diameter) are commonly palpable in normal people especially children.

Sounds like lymph node enlargement. That has many possible causes.

Lymph Node Enlargement
Lymph nodes (lymph glands) play an important part in the body’s defense against infection. Swelling might occur even if the infection is trivial or not apparent. By far the most common cause of lymph node enlargement is infection. As a rule, lymph node enlargements due to infections tend to be tender and mobile while those due to malignancy are generally nontender, hard and may become immobile.


Causes of cervical (neck) lymph node enlargement:

Submandibular lymph node enlargement (Located along the underside of the jaw on either side.)
Lymphatic drainage: Tongue, submaxillary gland, lips and mouth, conjunctivae.
Common causes: Infections of head, neck, sinuses, ears, eyes, scalp, pharynx.

Submental lymph node enlargement (Located just below the chin.)
Lymphatic drainage: Lower lip, floor of mouth, teeth, submental salivary gland, tip of tongue, skin of cheek.
Common causes: Mononucleosis syndromes, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, dental pathology such as periodontitis.

Jugular lymph node enlargement: (Nodes that lie both on top of and beneath the sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM) on either side of the neck, from the angle of the jaw to the top of the clavicle.)
Lymphatic drainage: Tongue, tonsil, pinna, parotid
Common causes: Pharyngitis organisms, rubella


If truly concerned and you have other symptoms, see your doctor.

Answer 8

Relax, for the moment. You are jumping way ahead of yourself.
You are only 13 and it is just a small lump. You probably have a cyst that has developed. It is caused by a little blockage but I am sure it is just something along that line and can be very normal.
You should go to the doctor and have him access it. He can have it removed as well and they would biopsy it to make sure for you.
Don't worry yourself sick.

Answer 9

There are tons of weird feeling "lumps" under your jawbone, one of which (on each side) is your lymph node. These swell and feel tender when you get a cold or get sick. If you're really worried, talk to your parents or go to a doctor! No tears, you'll be alright. :)

PS- my lymph nodes sometimes swell when I have a canker sore too :)

Answer 10

Hi Madison

Dont worry about the lump its a lymph node as mentioned above and here is how to take care of the canker sore. When you read what the cause is you'll understand a lot of health issues are your diet. The lymph node is another sign of the body telling you to change your diet or too much stress.

Cause

Bowel flora imbalances due to parasites, poor digestion, food sensitivities, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and/or Crohn`s disease can all cause or exacerbate canker sores. Many naturopathic physicians believe that the basic cause of canker sores is most likely an allergy to wheat and/or other grains. If canker sores are persistent, each of these factors need to be ruled out and/or addressed before long-term healing can be achieved.

Canker sores can also be due to stress, extreme heat, physical exertion, extreme fatigue, fever, localized trauma such as after dental work, and nutrient deficiencies such as lysine, iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. They can also be contagious if they result from an infectious agent.


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Natural Cures

Diet: Eat a diet that varies grains and add a variety of beans, seeds, and nuts. Mono-wheat diets contribute to canker sores, and therefore should be avoided. Also avoid foods and substances that may irritate the ulcers such as coffee, alcohol, refined sugar, citrus fruits, spicy foods, mouthwashes, and smoking. In cases of severe canker sores, eliminate or eat sparingly of acid-forming foods such as animal products, grains, beans, and seeds, and increase your intake of alkaline-producing foods, especially vegetables and fruits.

Canker sores that are due to food sensitivities or allergies are more typically caused by eating milk, cheese, wheat, tomato, vinegar, lemon, pineapple, and/or mustard. It is important to realize that any food or food substance can potentially cause food sensitivities, which must be ruled out in order to achieve long-term healing.

Flower Essences: Rescue Remedy® can help alleviate stress that can contribute to canker sores.

Herbs: To relieve symptoms, use a mouthwash made with sage and chamomile. Combine equal amounts as an infusion and gargle as often as needed. A combination of equal parts of tinctures of echinacea and cleavers can also be taken internally at a dose of 1/2 teaspoonful three times a day. Doing a colon cleanse helps tremendously.

Juice Therapy: Drinking juice made from carrots, celery, and cantaloupe will help relieve symptoms and speed healing.

Nutritional Supplementation: The following nutrients have all been shown to help prevent and reverse canker sores: vitamin C, lysine (an amino acid - take 4 grams for the first four days, then 500 mg three times daily, on an empty stomach and apart from meals), vitamin B complex (two to three times daily with meals, along with folic acid and vitamin B12), and zinc gluconate lozenges. Acidophilus, to ensure a proper supply of healthy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, and pantothenic acid can also be helpful.

Topical Treatment: Using a cotton swab, dab each sore with an 8% solution of zinc chloride (available from your pharmacist). As an alternative, you can also use a paste made of echinacea tincture and myrrh gum.

Best of health to you