Could mumps vaccine have failed?

[Sarahtara]

My son came home over a week ago with a lymph node under his jaw. Then next day, there was one on the other side, and one under his chin. I took him to the doctor, he's 15 by the way. Doctor was suspect it was a reaction to his braces irritating the jaw. Ortho took his braces off, and gave him invisiline just to be sure. He did X-rays, no infections. No fever. No response to antibiotics. No aching, nothing except massively swelling lymph nodes, super sore to the touch. Of course I'm thinking the worst, like lymphoma. Another physician tells me this just isn't how cancer presents. Blood work all came back normal. Now we are waiting to see the ENT in a few days. His neck reminds me of a hamster with food packed in its jaws. I started thinking, this looks like mumps back from the photos I remember seeing in undergrad. However he's been vaccinated, but there is an overpopulation at his school by 1500 kids. I'm scared. He's been vaccinated but I know that mumps vaccination is only about 78percent. I'm just wondering, could this be mumps? I've not slept well, worried sick. Even the tissue up on his jaw towards his side burns had inflammation. We had the test for mumps done yesterday. It's still not back. Someone please tell me this is probably mumps or does it look like we're looking at something much worse.

[Ken_PA]

Hi, it's true that cancer doesn't behave like that. It won't pop up so very quickly all over. Besides, if it were so aggressive, it would just keep going and not be limited in size. It usually isn't painful.

Whatever the cause, it's most likely not cancer.