Lump in my neck? Lymphoma?

[Igglepiggle88]

Hello, I’m a 29 year old mother of one.

About 4 years ago I noticed a lump in the right side of my neck, the size of a large pea. I went to the GP who said it could have been caused by a spot I had at the time and to be honest I forgot all about it for a while - so I aren’t sure if it has come and gone, or got any bigger.

I noticed it again so I went to my GP.. who just said “it’s a lymph node” I said how come I don’t have it at the other side? He didn’t really answer and said they can come up for any reason and to book a general blood test and go back in 6 weeks if it’s still there (it will be I’ve had it 4 years) he didn’t ask me if I have any other symptoms because I have lost some weight, I do get really itchy all over and although the night sweats I get now aren’t as bad as the drenching one I used to get I do get them, and I’ve had a cough for a couple of months. Does this sound like lymphoma?? Are docs normally good at spotting the kind of lumps they are?

Do you have health anxiety? There's a big jump between a (long term) lump to lymphoma.

Have the blood tests and see if anything shows up. Don't go worrying yourself with extreme diagnoses until you've more to go on.

I had Hodgkins Lymphoma. I had identical swellings either side of my neck just above my collar bone. They were visible when I turned my head as well. I didn't experience the night sweats or the itching just extreme tiredness. Try not to worry, quite often lumps and bumps appear and turn out to be nothing sinister.

I have had lumps appear and disappear after about a week and like yours mine didn't come in pairs. I've had them come up almost beneath my ears, and more recently right in the centre.
I also have been suffering night sweats and overheating. I am early 30s so not menopause. Been put on Clonidin though doesn't seem to have much effect.
Anyway, I'm not sure I'd connect the 2 issues as the lumps in my case go away after a week, though they may come back later.
I don't know if that helps you or not.

I was CONVINCED I had lymphoma a couple of months back - had all the symptoms you mentioned. A couple of the lymph nodes in my neck are constantly swollen - the size of large grapes. But had blood tests and nothing was abnormal so don't stress too much

Thank you everyone. Yes I think I do have health anxiety to some extent. My grandad and my cousin (who’s 30) have both been diagnosed with terminal cancer this year and a friends partner has just been diagnosed with lymphoma so it’s sent my anxiety about it into overdrive.
Do you think doctors know pretty instinctively by feeling certain lumps if they are sinister or not? xx

There are multiple reasons for neck lumps - not just lymphoma. Brachial cysts, naturally enlarged lymph nodes, nodes that get stuck up, and then various forms of cancer.
I was investigated for lymphoma a few years ago. Mine was actually thyroid cancer. Ask for your bloods to be done, ask for a biopsy to be taken. If you haven't lost a lot of weight and you're not exhausted, I would assume it wasn't lymphoma - especially as it's been enlarged for four years.

Have just re-read your pp. I thought I had night sweats, then I saw a close friend with lymphoma and WOAH those are night sweats. I had itchy legs, but that was just because I was thinking about it.
But I would go back and insist on a blood test and a biopsy. They should be ordered because you have an A symptom and a couple of minor B symptoms.
But honestly, having seen others with lymphoma, it was obvious from v early on that they were ill. And properly ill.

I have the exact same thing. A lump in the right hand side of my neck, had it about 3-4 years.
First doctor totally fobbed me off and said it's nowt.
So I got a second opinion who said it was a swollen lymph node but she would send me for a blood test for piece of mind and if I'm still unhappy with it, I could have it removed.
Definitely go for the blood test and if you're still not happy then request another doctor.

I was refereed for thyroid weeks ago and heard nothing back am chasing tomorow.
It Could be thyroid related... Or any number of things... Go back.

Digital ghost - did you ever find out what it was?
Thank you everyone else. I had the bloods done on Thursday and then the doctor said if I want referring to ENT he would but “he wasn’t worried” it just worried me as he didn’t actually ask if I had any other symptoms he just said “it’s moveable, X of an inch in size, I’m not worried” I haven’t had severe night sweats for a while and I have lost weight and am tired/itchy but then maybe that could be from norovirus at Christmas and having a toddler and I’m not sure what else.
My friends partner that has it says that his bloods came back clear but I think the GP wanted him to have an X-ray.
I’m just really hoping it’s my health anxiety going into overdrive with what’s happening to my grandad and cousin xx

I'm sure that's playing a huge part in it.
All you can do is keep pushing and asking questions. My bloods came back slightly raised, so my (very on it) GP referred for biopsy. Try and push that.

Snow PM if you need any thyroid advice

Apparently it is just a lymph node. They said it would go away on its own and it's still there. I'm tempted to have it removed to stop me poking it.My bloods were normal and I had no other symptoms
I've had a baby during the time I've had it and nothing weird came up during the all of blood work then either.
If you're worried about it then get a second opinion. Otherwise you're just going to worry yourself more.

its easy to feel like you have a condition. keep visiting another doctor and check for a second opinion - it's hard to diagnose using modern techniques.

if you are stressed more than usual, consider changing your activities, like exercising more, avoiding eating sugar and taking b-complex supplements.

My dd had lymphoma, she was totally healthy no symptoms at all except one lump, it’s quite common to have no symptoms however you’re having night sweats, itching and weight loss and a cough so I think you need this investigated further.
Blood tests are a start but generally lymphoma isn’t diagnosed from the blood even though it’s a blood cancer, although it does depend on the stage and where it is etc.
You should get an ENT referral for an ultrasound on the lump.
However don’t be alarmed it most likely isn’t lymphoma especially as you’ve had the lump 4 years.
Usually lymphoma lumps are hard - not like stone but like an eraser and are not moveable and anything under about 1-1.5cm isn’t deemed to be a suspicious lump (I think!) which is why your doc said he’s not worried but at the same time get it checked further as there’s no point sitting at home worrying!