Another way to feel more assured that you do not have cancer is to have a plausible alternative diagnosis. Why did the node(s) enlarge anyway, if not cancer? We can talk about that if you like.
Hi, Chloe, I'm sorry for not answering sooner but my laptop died and I've been tied up for more than a short while in wrangling a new one. Let me start right off by saying that I see no reason to think you have a cancer.
"90% figure of people over 40 having the supra nodes being some kind of malignancy."
I've never believed that particular statistic. Maybe I'll look up one day how it originated. Besides, out of the several people who came to this forum with an enlarged supraclavicular node, none actually had cancer.
If you do want reassurance, I'd ask for an ultrasound of the node nearest the surface. A US can tell more than a CT. The CT can see deeper, though.
"He told me... to stop googling."
I would never tell anybody such a thing, unless they only do very sporadic researching and then panic. But you seem quite able, so I'll give more info to balance with - both sides.
"He said the node feels normal"
I wouldn't go with feeling alone. But if it felt very large or hard, then you'd want a followup US. Still, size alone is never definitive - just suggestive.
"But now I am freaking out again cause I keep poking at my neck and feel like I feel a difference in size then I don't etc..."
Poking it can irritate it and cause some increase in size, inflammation--> swelling. It can later go down. So that's called waxing and waning. Cancer itself woudn't wane.
"I have an appt with another ENT next Thursday for a second opinion. I wonder if he will want a biopsy?"
Nope. There is no reasonable justification for a biopsy.
"He said you have no other symptoms of anything else..."
Most lymphoma has no symptoms to start. People just usually accidentally discover a bump.
But let's add in: "I am also worried about lung, breast, or some other cancer that has spread to my supra nodes. They have no reason to react cause I am not sick etc..."
Both a metastatic node and a reactive node would have some upstream cause. So that argument goes both ways.
"I am going crazy."
A thought just occurred to me. You might ask the doc (who might order the US) to ask the radiologist to write a *very* detailed US report. Well, the radiologist might ignore that but it wouldn't hurt to ask. The more factors you can read that favor not-cancer, the better. Rather than just having the brief "node looks reactive" conclusion.
I'm glad you posted twice, else I would have missed your earlier one. Your thoroughness is an asset to you. Feel free to post again whenever you like.