5 year old lymph node referral

[EMG1998]

My son has been referred for a blood test today by the gp he has had on and off swollen lymph nodes in his neck I feel awful I don’t know how long they have been that way I thought it was neck muscle! One is 2cm big :( he is otherwise fine in himself! Trying not to worry but can’t help it. His dad is saying he had a similar thing when he was young. Calling the go back tomorrow for a chat as am stressedddddd

We saw the GP today. He had a really good feel of the lymph node and measured it at 3 cm, which if I’m honest completely floored me. He said it feels like one mobile lymph node rather than lots of little ones. He couldn’t feel any enlarged lymph nodes anywhere else on her body.
He examined her throat and ears because over the last couple of days she’s started complaining that it hurts when she swallows and points to the lump. He said her throat looked normal with normal tonsils and her ears were fine, so there wasn’t an obvious cause for the enlarged node.
He went through the red flag checklist with us and has arranged repeat blood tests. He said the current guidance is to review it again in 6 weeks to see if it reduces.
I completely fell apart when he said 3 cm. My health anxiety has gone into overdrive and I’m now convinced it’s lymphoma or some other cancer. I know everyone told me not to Google, but I did, and now I’m making myself feel physically sick reading about every rare cancer that can cause enlarged lymph nodes.
I just don’t think I’m mentally capable of waiting 6 weeks wondering, so I’ve booked a private paediatric appointment for Monday evening to get another opinion. I’m hoping they might be able to tell me whether they think it still looks reactive or whether they would investigate it further.
Has anyone else’s child had a lymph node around this size that turned out to be reactive? I feel like everything I read talks about little pea-sized nodes, not one this big, and I’m really struggling to keep things in perspective.

Thank you all again for being so supportive.

The ent specialist we saw said she has seen many reactive ones at even 5cm! Try not to worry but I do get it i have been there. Any night sweats or weight loss? Private is the way to go! We also had a blood test too which was honestly not massively helpful. Hope it all goes well for you. I never had a 100% clear answer but after the ent review I have just had to let it go honestly the only 100% accurate check is biopsy I believe

@EMG1998no night sweats or weight loss. Did you say your little one had them scanned?

They said no need but i nearly pushed for one

That's good news.

I know it is difficult not to worry but a child with something like lymphoma would be getting sicker, it is about much more than a swollen lymph node. If that isn't happening to your child, it is a very good sign.

@Kirbert2everything I've read on Google (I shouldn't be googling!) seems to say they can still be completely fine in themselves with lymphoma and simply present with a lump.

It would be incredibly unusual without any other symptoms such as unexplained fevers, weight loss and night sweats. Especially over a period of time.

@Kirbert2i feel like I'm just watching her like a hawk for any other symptoms 😭

I'd try and stay away from google for the time being and reassure yourself at just how unlikely it is to be lymphoma or anything similar.

Hi

How is your little one now?

xx