Thank you for your time. I have a mass in the left side of my neck that lies just below the jawline, in front of the ear. I see an ENT regularly, so when I was in to see him I pointed out the mass, and he said it was not normal. He did an FNA, and that yielded very little. It said the aspirate showed no malignant cells. It is a cyst or benign tumour. He did say that the aspirate doesn't get everything, so malignancy is slight. But, the thoughts were branchial cleft cyst, schwonnoma tumour, or who knows.
I am scheduled for surgery on Nov 21. My ENT, whom I have an excellent relationship. said he wants his partner to help. He said it is near the carotid artery and other significant nerves. Please, if you can tell me the possibilites, and if I should not have surgery, and if I do how risky of losing nerve function. I am extra scared as last time I had surgery with general anesthesia (heart) I woke up during the surgery. I could hear and feel everything, but couldn't move. To say it was a nightmare is an understatement. Any advice is great!