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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Original poster

Terrified of lump in neck

13 replies

Duckingella · 03/02/2025 14:38

I've had what feels like a swollen lymph node on the right side of my throat for 3/4 months.

It's gotten quite large;it's around 1.25 inches in length and I'm absolutely terrified of going to the GP about it as I'm really frightened of what it could be.

Ill openly admit I've probably not been making myself a priority as I'm a mum to 3 disabled teenagers two of which have had worsening health issues over the past 6 months.

I can afford to have anything wrong with me;I can't afford to miss work as we're struggling financially and my DH is kind of useless when it comes to household duties/parenting/mental load etc

Please talk some sense into me.

For reference I have T2 diabetes but I'm on insulin for it since last November.

OP posts:
Howtonamechange · 03/02/2025 16:18

Please go have it checked. At least then you'll know and can move on to the next step whatever that may be.
Sometimes not knowing is worse because you're in a weird state of limbo that makes you feel more anxious

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 03/02/2025 16:23

It's worrying isn't it, but there's only one way to put your mind at rest that its nothing to worry about. That does carry the risk that you find out that it IS something to worry about, but the sooner you know one way or the other, the sooner you can either relax or start treatment. Most likely is that it is indeed just a swollen lymph gland. If it makes you feel any better I've had two swollen glands in my neck/behind my ear for about 25 years and I'm still here to tell the tale, so just get that appointment booked asap. Thanks

SpringBunnyHopHop · 03/02/2025 16:25

Please call them today. You must really act fast with things like this.
i know this isn’t what you want to hear but if it is the worst then you need to deal with it or your kids might not have a mum around at all.

Zippidyza · 03/02/2025 16:52

Right side of throat? Is it thyroid area and do you have any thyroid symptoms? Honestly, whatever it is do you think even if it was the worst case scenario ( and I have seen plenty of people diagnosed with cancer after ignoring symptoms for many many months) would you rather a. Be diagnosed early and receive life saving treatment b. Be diagnosed late ? It’s not worth mentally torturing yourself over, you need to take care of yourself.

WattleTyler · 03/02/2025 16:54

I can understand the head in the sand mentality, I think I’d be the same. But after 3-4 months, it’s clearly not going away on its own.

You need to get it checked. There are so many things it’s more likely to be than cancer.

ForPearlViper · 03/02/2025 17:04

I left mine longer so understand where you are coming from. Sounds like a similar lump. I was put on the 2 week pathway for suspected lymphoma. I'm not going to lie, it was obviously terrifying. After various tests were inconclusive, I had it removed (day surgery) and biopsied. It was a benign cystic lymph node.

A scary couple of months in the end but better than the long term worry that will build up by avoiding it.

Please get it checked out. If it does turn out to be serious the earlier you do it the better the prognosis is likely to be. Your husband will just have to step up.

Original poster
Duckingella · 03/02/2025 18:47

ForPearlViper · 03/02/2025 17:04

I left mine longer so understand where you are coming from. Sounds like a similar lump. I was put on the 2 week pathway for suspected lymphoma. I'm not going to lie, it was obviously terrifying. After various tests were inconclusive, I had it removed (day surgery) and biopsied. It was a benign cystic lymph node.

A scary couple of months in the end but better than the long term worry that will build up by avoiding it.

Please get it checked out. If it does turn out to be serious the earlier you do it the better the prognosis is likely to be. Your husband will just have to step up.

Thank you for sharing your experience;my husband is off on Wednesday so I'll be arranging a GP appointment;he can start stepping up by coming with me for moral support.

OP posts:
funinthesun19 · 05/02/2025 20:48

I’m in the same situation at the moment. I have a lump in my neck which the GP said feels like a lymph node and I also have a lump behind my ear too which again is a lymph node. I had blood tests done which apparently have come back normal, so not sure what the next step will be. I am going to book in with my GP again on Friday to discuss it. I feel like I still need referring for imaging tests because blood tests alone don’t give you the all clear.

Original poster
Duckingella · 05/02/2025 21:55

funinthesun19 · 05/02/2025 20:48

I’m in the same situation at the moment. I have a lump in my neck which the GP said feels like a lymph node and I also have a lump behind my ear too which again is a lymph node. I had blood tests done which apparently have come back normal, so not sure what the next step will be. I am going to book in with my GP again on Friday to discuss it. I feel like I still need referring for imaging tests because blood tests alone don’t give you the all clear.

I went to the GP this morning;I've been referred for an urgent ultrasound and blood tests.

I has bloods done for something else at beginning of December and they were normal which is good so hopefully still the same.

My lump (as the GP tells me) is 1.5-2 inches long;it's smooth,an equal size and is palpable.

Says at the this point we take it as it's likely not cancer but have to rule out lymphoma and leukaemia.

OP posts:
DaneMum · 05/02/2025 22:03

I had this and it turned out to be a benign cyst in my parotid gland. Not even necessary to remove it!

Namechangedforthis25 · 05/02/2025 22:04

Duckingella · 05/02/2025 21:55

I went to the GP this morning;I've been referred for an urgent ultrasound and blood tests.

I has bloods done for something else at beginning of December and they were normal which is good so hopefully still the same.

My lump (as the GP tells me) is 1.5-2 inches long;it's smooth,an equal size and is palpable.

Says at the this point we take it as it's likely not cancer but have to rule out lymphoma and leukaemia.

Show quote history

Well done on going! All the best with the test results but that sounds really positive

northernsunshine · 26/02/2026 22:13

Hi @Duckingella really hope everything went ok. I’m in a similar boat now, what happened in the end?

Bufftailed · 26/02/2026 22:14

Go asap. I had this and was benign but had to be removed.

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