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Cancer

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

Original poster

17yr son suspected cancer?!

34 replies

ThatNeedyZebra · 14/12/2025 23:44

Hi!
I don’t even know where to start.

My son has had a lump/bump on side of his head since he was around 4/5 - dr said normal lump and bump nothing to be worried about. Has slowly grown through the years again told it’s ok. It was unnoticeable to others and was sort of white/grey ish colour.

last week, he walked into kitchen and he has now only what I can describe as a medium/large balloon like lump on his head, it’s bright red and it’s fully attached to scalp, soft to touch he’s says not too painful it feels like when you pick at a scab so I guess a tingling sensation when knocked.

took him doctors next morning, expecting it to be a cyst and it’s infected/inflamed was expecting antibiotics and possibly drained after the course of anti biotics.

whilst the doctor was also examining his head, she came across a raised patch in another part of scalp that’s quite red and scaly.

hes now on a 2week pathway for suspected skin cancer?! Wtf?! Thankfully I asked him to wait outside whilst I spoke to doctor and she informed me she is very concerned with how it’s been slow growing over years but all of a sudden has grown rapidly and changed colour, she’s told me she’s worried and she suspects skin cancer however she isn’t a specialist so I should keep a open mind.

Hes unaware they’re thinking cancer he’s just aware that it’s a urgent referral to find out what it is, I don’t want to tell him what they’re suspecting because it’ll just worry him.

I don’t think it’s sunk in, it’s still surreal and doesn’t feel like this is happening, I have booked a private consultation with a specialist on Wednesday but I have no idea how I’m going to get through till then.

im not eating, sleeping I’m just surviving I’m such a mess but I need to keep it together I just have no idea what I’m suppose to do

OP posts:
24Dogcuddler · 15/12/2025 03:02

I’m so sorry that you are going through this. There’s never a good time for anything like this to happen but this time of year is just horrendous I know.
It’s good that you have managed to get an earlier appointment. Just do your best to stay strong for him and go through the motions until you know what you are dealing with. Do the basic practical things you need to day to day for now.
If you work and you need to go off sick. You need to look after yourself as he will need you. Sending virtual hugs.

alcoholicsupport · 15/12/2025 05:12

I’m sorry you are going through this. Sounds terrifying. Hopefully you will be seen soon and it’s nothing sinister. Strange how he has had it so long and only got worse now

whattodoforthebest2 · 15/12/2025 05:31

Goodness that does sound terrifying. Do try and stay strong for your son, hopefully he’ll be seen very quickly and they can put your mind at rest.

Two members of my family had skin cancer. In both cases the lesions were removed and never recurred at all. This was 20+ years ago.

seenitallbefore · 15/12/2025 09:15

GP here . It sounds vanishingly unlikely that it’s a skin cancer ? Much more likely to be , as you said , infected cyst or similar. Especially as it’s inflamed . And the red scaly patch - probably not linked at all . ?? Infected psoriasis. It just sounds so improbable that it’s some form of cancer . Your private dermatology appointment sounds absolutely right way to go .

seenitallbefore · 15/12/2025 09:17

30 years GP partner so I do have a lot of experience.

Original poster
ThatNeedyZebra · 15/12/2025 12:20

thats what I assumed it was possibly a cyst and then he had his hair cut around 2weeks ago and probably been caught and then become infected but was told it’s definitely not a cyst and the characteristics doesn’t follow a cyst.

I know I won’t know what it is until we see the specialist on Wednesday but I can’t stop worrying

17yr son suspected cancer?!
OP posts:
JSMill · 15/12/2025 12:22

I’m so sorry you are going through this. I hope you get some answers at your appointment.

Seawolves · 15/12/2025 12:26

I have just been through similar and was told at my clinic appointment that 94% of what is referred into them is NOT cancer, hopefully it will be this way for your son too.

W0tnow · 15/12/2025 12:46

I have a teenage son and he is my world. You must be frantic with worry, and it must be so hard for you to put on a brave face. Please, take comfort from @seenitallbefore ’s post. I’ll be thinking of you. X

Freeme31 · 15/12/2025 13:10

Thinking of you both, i pray it comes to nothing 🙏🏻

Megifer · 15/12/2025 13:13

ThatNeedyZebra · 15/12/2025 12:20

thats what I assumed it was possibly a cyst and then he had his hair cut around 2weeks ago and probably been caught and then become infected but was told it’s definitely not a cyst and the characteristics doesn’t follow a cyst.

I know I won’t know what it is until we see the specialist on Wednesday but I can’t stop worrying

My mum has 2 of these on her head. Can't remember what they are called. Exactly the same as your pic. Every now and then hers flares up.

I wouldnt be mega worried, surely if it was cancerous it would have caused problems waaaaay before now. But I get why you are.

Some GPs can cause worry with how they talk and jump to worst case. I had one refer me for suspected throat cancer after I mentioned off hand id had a sore throat for a few weeks as id had a virus AND been doing loads of presentations in work so talking non stop for 6 hours a day for 2 weeks solid. I only went in about an infected hang nail but there I was, 3 weeks later having a camera shoved up my nose by a very bemused consultant who had no idea why id been referred 😬🙄 And my hang nail caused cellulitis so back I went a week later for the antibiotics I should have been given the first time ffs!!

seenitallbefore · 15/12/2025 15:08

It looks very smooth and regular. Maybe a dermoid cyst ? Very easily removed.

Kirbert2 · 15/12/2025 15:34

Fingers crossed it isn't cancer, it does seem unlikely considering how long he's had it without any issues.

mindutopia · 15/12/2025 18:07

They are doing the right thing by referring him and I would expect that they will want to remove and biopsy that. What’s great is that it’s in a really easy place to biopsy and the scar should be covered by the hair.

I do have melanoma and I’d say mine looked very much like that (which is unusual for a melanoma, usually they look like a small dark mole). What I’d say though is that I’d be very surprised if that’s been there, albeit smaller, for 12-13 years and is cancer. They are doing the right thing by checking it out, but my type of melanoma specifically (that looked like that) is very fast growing. It started as the tiniest spot and was that size in a year. It definitely would not grow undetected for more than a decade, and I would say that would be the case for other skin cancers as well, so that should be reassuring to you.

me24x · 15/12/2025 18:39

ThatNeedyZebra · 15/12/2025 12:20

thats what I assumed it was possibly a cyst and then he had his hair cut around 2weeks ago and probably been caught and then become infected but was told it’s definitely not a cyst and the characteristics doesn’t follow a cyst.

I know I won’t know what it is until we see the specialist on Wednesday but I can’t stop worrying

I have 2 of these on my scalp! My mum said they’ve been there as long as she can remember (I’m mid 20s) a few years ago my hairdresser was doing my hair and said it looked like 1 of them had got bigger and was for lack of a better word a bit crusty and to go to GP. Which I did, 2 GPs checked it over and was told it’s nothing to worry about just a skin tag. Apparently it’s normal for them to crust sometimes, especially in the scalp with all the shampoo etc etc. It’s good you got referred anyway for peace of mind but I really wouldn’t worry about this - probably the GP just being extra cautious.

Original poster
ThatNeedyZebra · 16/12/2025 21:45

Thanks for all your advice, I’m more positive now, private consultation is tomorrow afternoon and his hospital appointment with nhs is Thursday so I’m glad things are finally happening now don’t feel as bad

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatNeedyZebra · 17/12/2025 18:36

Update

We seen the private consultant today, he said it’s unlikely cancer but he’s not 100%. He said it’s definitely not a cyst or lipoma. Feel like it’s money thrown down drain lol

Hospital phoned and he has appointment tomorrow with a medical photographer to take pictures, then they need to be reviewed and we’ll know in 48hours the next steps that need to be taken

OP posts:
Hesse · 17/12/2025 18:39

So you've managed to get a private consultation and he thinks it's probably not cancer. How is that money down the drain?

Hesse · 17/12/2025 18:39

Some people don't have the spare cash and would be left waiting.

Clearinguptheclutter · 17/12/2025 18:46

All the best for tomorrow. Hopefully you get more reassurance then.

TeddyOBear · 17/12/2025 19:07

Hesse · 17/12/2025 18:39

Some people don't have the spare cash and would be left waiting.

I think this is really an unfair comment. Maybe OP does have the money for this or maybe she has had scrape around for it. I have been in the same position, when it’s a loved one and you desperately want answers. I ended up having to sell something for that money as I was beyond worried and thought it would speed up a diagnosis.

it’s sounding positive OP, I would take some solace in the consultant not thinking it is cancer. Wishing you both good luck at the hospital. Thinking of you.

tobee · 17/12/2025 19:23

Hesse · 17/12/2025 18:39

Some people don't have the spare cash and would be left waiting.

Well that's life unfortunately. But if you do have the spare cash then it's a pretty good way of spending it imo.

Confusedmum74858 · 17/12/2025 21:36

Hesse · 17/12/2025 18:39

So you've managed to get a private consultation and he thinks it's probably not cancer. How is that money down the drain?

Leave it, that’s insensitive

MantaKay · 25/12/2025 22:46

Do you have an update @ThatNeedyZebra ? I hope you had good news in time for Christmas.

Original poster
ThatNeedyZebra · 25/12/2025 23:02

— update

we’ve received his test results Christmas Eve, he has a juvenile benign sarcoma. Completely free of cancer, if left untreated it could turn cancerous, he’s been put on list for removal. Fantastic news to receive just in time for Christmas! Thank you for asking! Hope you’ve had a great Christmas!

OP posts: