Just Diagnosed and pain in chest/neck area, worried

Hi jinkieland,

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and understand how scary this is. I was diagnosed on 1/2/18 awaiting a surgeon referral this Thursday and new here and also scared. It's good your getting in to see the surgeon and medical oncologist next week. If it was me I would see those two specialists and then get a second opinion after if you feel you need it. You might want to figure out what 2nd opinion doctors you want to see since it probably takes time to actually get an appointment. I don't have the symptoms you do so can't comment except to say I hope you get some answers next week. Waiting and wondering is very difficult.

I had pain for over two years with my breast carcinoma and people tended to dismiss it. It was not as dramatic as yours, but it was there and I was aware of it most of the time. When I finally had a diagnosis and surgery to remove it, I woke up afterwards and thought, "what's different?" I realized my breast had stopped hurting--and this was right after a lumpectomy and a surgical biopsy of a second lesion that was only discovered the day before surgery. No one knows why my pain miraculously abated, but the radiologist speculated that my tumor may have impinged a nerve. This is doubtless a miserable experience for you--and most of us are told cancer doesn't hurt--but you will be seeing a specialist very soon and you have great resources where you live. As far as a second opinion, until they have the entire lesion, it is hard to make absolute plans. Your lesion might be upgraded depending upon what they learn post surgery. There is also the chance that your flu may have left you with some lingering malaise and even chest wall pain that is wholly unrelated to your tumor. If what you are experiencing is acute, think about an urgent care visit or consulting your PCP.