Unexpected 2wk pathway referral re tonsils, absolutely terrified

[EffingScared]

Just before Christmas I had a sudden pain in my neck. I was recovering from covid so put it down to that. However when I checked my throat, there was what appeared to be pus/a couple of cyst-like 'things' on my left tonsil. It was when strep A was in the news - DD is a teacher and is exposed to all sorts of bugs daily, so I called 111 for advice (it was a Saturday so no GP). They issued a prescription for penicillin.

Went to GP on the Tuesday and she said yep, looks like an infection, if it's not cleared in a few days we can give you more penicillin. It didn't, so they did. When it still hadn't changed after that course I went back to GP who said it's nothing to worry about, but come back if its still there at the end of January and we'll refer you to ENT.

Had an appointment last week and as I was getting ready, I noticed a fleshy, squidgy lump above my collarbone - it's not immediately obvious and I have to move my arm/shoulder in a weird way to be able to feel it. Honestly it's so hidden it might have always been there and I've not noticed (I have something similar on my ankle which has been there for decades and was given the all clear years ago).

GP reiterated that no, I don't have throat cancer (I have HA and asked each time whether that was likely, answer was always no). She said the lump didn't feel like a lymph node, more like a cyst. But she would refer me to ENT for my tonsil, and for an ultrasound scan for the lump, as a precaution so I don't 'slip through the cracks'. She warned I'd have to wait anything up to six months however, which I was really reassured about - clearly it wasn't a concern if they weren't seeing me urgently.

On Friday at just before 5pm I got a call from ENT asking if I could come in this Tuesday, so within two weeks of my GP appointment. I've never been called to make a referral before (I have various other health issues). Looking at the hospital website this appears to be a clinic they run for suspected head and neck cancer - the usual wait time for a referral is 35 weeks.

Now I'm absolutely shitting myself. Why have I been referred on the 2w pathway when the GP said she suspected nothing sinister? I have convinced myself it's cancer and am in a right state. I've convinced myself the GP only told me it wasn't cancer/the referral would take so long so I wouldn't worry (although when I had a breast lump a few years ago the GP was blunt and said yes, it could be cancer, but equally it could be nothing).

Don't know what I hope to achieve with this thread - maybe just a handhold because honestly I think I'll have gone loopy by Tuesday.

Incidentally this is similar to how my tonsil looks (I can't get a photo, I found this online). Mine is a bit bigger and there's another one that looks like a conventional cyst (ie round), and they seem to drain a bit occasionally. Definitely weren't there when I had Covid because I was monitoring how sore my throat was and I would've seen them.

I'm 50, ex smoker (gave up 14 years ago, smoked maybe 20 a week). I also have rheumatoid arthritis if that's relevant.

Hiya, I had something similar a couple of years ago in the height of covid. I convinced myself that it definitely was cancer that's why they rushed my referral. Long story short the specialist looked with a camera and said nothing sinister but probably better for my health - mental and physical if I had my tonsils out. I did and the results were that they were really infected, had tonsil stones but had no cancer cells.

Its a hard thing your facing, your not over reacting your scared. Nowt wrong with that. Take everyday as it comes, good luck. Post again after you see ENT, your not alone.

These look like tonsil stones, which I sometimes get. They then dissappear/ fall out and I have little holes in my tonsils. Then they come back again some months later.

They are doing the right thing referring you quickly, especially with your anxiety. I had a 2ww referral for something else a few years ago, and I think my anxiety and panic swayed the referral into a 2ww.

Hope you get sorted quickly, it's horrible waiting and worrying!

Sounds like its probably nothing but best to make sure. Your photo looks like infection and tonsil stones. Metastatic lymph nodes are hard and would be top of your neck first not bottom. Consider a lipoma instead. However all procedures correct and boxes ticked so youre on the right pathway in a good time frame. Try not to worry too much - everything is being done correctly. Expect a camera down your throat and a precautionary MRI in the coming weeks. Keep calm. Take someone with you if you want to.

Why have I been referred on the 2w pathway when the GP said she suspected nothing sinister? I have convinced myself it's cancer and am in a right state

Because you would have obsessed about it being cancer all the time you were on the 35 week long waiting list for a routine outpatient appointment.

Just because you are being seen quickly doesn’t mean you are on a pathway. I got a really quick appointment recently for something expected to take months. Had the initial appointment in 10 days, the wait for the procedure is going to be 12 months! You really don’t need to worry. See what they say first, you may have a long wait for treatment.

You probably just ticked one box extra to get the 2ww.
Age
Ex smoker
Prolonged mouth/throat issue
Additional odd lump

You probably have tonsil stones and a lipoma, but at least this way you only have to wait a couple of weeks for someone to tell you this and put your mind at ease

I've had a soft, squishy moveable lump just above my collar bone since getting glandular fever age 15. Various doctors have felt it and because it's a soft regular shape, and mobile so not tethered to anything, have agreed it's nothing to worry about.

Good luck xx

I had a random phone call offering me a much earlier appointment than I expected. It didn't mean anything at all though. I think they were just filling in cancellations and phoning was the quickest way to do it.

That was for an ultrasound too. I think they're pretty quick to get compared to things like MRIs and CAT scans.