A month and 1/2 ago my father was examined by a dentist who noticed puffiness in his left cheek area which did not appear to be directly related to a dental problem. He developed progressive swelling which necessitated antibiotics. He has been on a two week course in total. X-rays showed the left antrum to be problematic with some destruction of the lateral wall. He says the swellinig in the cheek spontaneously decreased with a gush of foul material from the left cheek area. He completed a course of Keflex. Non smoker for many years. He is otherwise well and can excercise without difficulties. He had a myocardial infarction three years ago. He is on Lipitor and Low dose ASA. Examination: The ears, TM's and canals are normal. Endoscopy was performed of the nose and showed obstruction of the left osteomeatal area either due to edema or tissue. Palpation of the left antral interior wall shows some swelling and tenderness and there is a fistula from the antrum into the left alveolar ridge. Pressure on the swollen area produces some slight bloody drainage from the opening. There is normal sensation in the left cheek area. IMPRESSION: Destructive lesion left antrum.
IMAGING REPORT: Cheek Ultrasound and Sinuses Plain Radiograph
The palpable abnormality within the left cheek area corresponds to a slightly ill defined solid mass measuring 2.9 x .3 x 1.1 cms. This appears to arise out of the left maxillary sinus through a defect in the anterior wall which measures 11 x 6 mm.
Because the lesion appears to be sinus in origin, sinus x-rays were ordered. They confirm opacification of the left maxillary sinus and ill definition of the medial aspect of the left zygoma which is in keeping with an area of bone destruction. There is partial opacification of the left ethmoid sinuses.
IMPRESSION: The findings are most in keeping with a neoplasm arising within the left maxillary antrum with destruction of the anterior wall and extension into the left mid facial region. Infection is a possibility but is much less likely and an appearance such as this would related to an atypical organism.
CT Scan (head) was done this passed 3 weeks ago.
Surgery was two weeks ago. Total surgery time was one and half hours. He was told there was so much infection that a pathology report was needed before they would know whats going on. Recovery was 2.5 hours.
Results from the Pathology report were that they could not rule out a plasmacytoma and needed further testing at head pathology in Vancouver. We were told by our GP that if it came back anything it would be a plasmacytoma.
It came back and all we were told was my dad had lymphoma Stage IIIA.
I did not know that there were so many types of lymphomas and did not ask the type. Figured because they could not rule out plasmacytoma (MM), thats what type it was.
Everything is happening so quickly. Such a state of Shock we are in. Whats going on? What type of questions do we need to ask? Two more weeks till full body CT Scan...is an eternity when you know you have cancer. Then it has to be sent to BC Cancer Association in Victoria for treatment and prognosis.
I have never been so scared in my whole life.
Anything you can tell me would help.