"Urgent" referral for lump on leg

[PastaFasool]

Hi all, is there a current thread for those on the "urgent" / 2 week wait referral pathway? I've seen some previous threads of people waiting, just seeing if there's anyone around for solidarity.

I've had a large lump appear on my thigh, saw GP this morning and as there's a family history of cancer in that area she says she's given me an "urgent" referral for ultrasound and said to contact the surgery if I haven't heard from hospital in 3 weeks. I'm not 100% sure if that means I'm on 2 week pathway or not?

My cousin had a cancer that started within his thigh and he died within a year, so I'm feeling a bit stressed but don't want to talk to my family as I don't want to worry them unnecessarily.

If you are in England, it's no longer referred to as the "2 week pathway'. It's been replaced by the ' Faster Diagnosis Standard'.
NHS England » Changes to cancer waiting times standards from 1 October 2023

I'm sorry to hear of your referral - I know from experience that the waiting for a firm diagnosis is extremely worrying. I hope all goes well for you.

I was put on it last week and all the letters I have had clearly state "two week pathway", but the GP did say three to six weeks. However I got my blood test and endoscopy within a week, CT scan next week but that will only be week 3 and is only a fallback.

Anyway, good luck OP, hopefully something will come through soon.

Thanks both - I've checked my NHS app and my GP's consultation note in there says "For ultrasound urgent" - no mention of specific pathway or standard so I guess I'll just have to wait for the letter to come through.

Thank you.

No, you have not been referred on the two week wait (or whatever it’s now called) pathway. You’ve been referred for an urgent ultrasound, and that sounds like the most appropriate route at this point. Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer and there are so many other things your lump is more likely to be.

Waiting and uncertainty are tough though.

@FullBl00m ah thanks for that, sounds like I'd jumped to some incorrect assumptions there. I do know sarcoma is rare, it's only that my cousin did die from it in his 30s and other family members on that side have died young from sarcoma that I'm making myself nervous.

A friend of mine has a soft tissue sarcoma on her thigh. She’s just finished a 6 week course of radiotherapy and is having an op next week to have it removed. It’s about the size of my hand.

Friend seems to be taking it all in her stride - good luck OP. Best to know what you’re dealing with so it can be treated appropriately.

@KnickerlessParsons I'm really sorry to hear about your friend - really hope she's doing OK and that the operation goes well for her.

@Negroany I do hope all your test results come back okay

@FullBl00m thanks for talking some sense into me, I'm definitely feeling a bit stressed and you're saying all the same things the GP did.

"Lump" about 3cm by 3cm by 6cm, according to GP notes.

Thank you @PastaFasool

I've just had a new letter and this one says "straight to test" or something, rather than the two week stuff.

It's something when the appointment comes quicker than the post, eh? (Dr doesn't think mine is cancer, just wanted to rule out the big things first - endoscopy showed nothing, hence CT)

Update: just had call from the hospital, they've booked me in for an ultrasound on 13th October, so it's not a long wait. They did have one appointment for 6th October but it was right at school pickup time and I couldn't get childcare.

Updated again: managed to get childcare for this Monday, so now have ultrasound on Monday afternoon.

I hope all is well with you @PastaFasool
You must be very worried, given your family history.

Hope all went well yesterday

Thankfully was seen very quickly and turned out to just be a large fatty lump (lipoma). Very relieved, grateful to everyone on this thread for the hand hold ❤

That's good news. I'm glad it's all OK.

Oh what a relief for you!

Excellent news 👏