Scared I have lymphoma

[User06]

I have a swollen gland in my neck and my neck aches on that side. If it’s not lymphoma what else could it be? The lump didn’t come up with illness and has been there for a few months. It aches constantly. Apparently that’s a symptom of lymphoma, not a benign node.

I am looking into getting a private scan done ASAP because I am so worried but I am hoping someone can reassure me? A doctor maybe?

I have a lymph node that comes up on the side of my neck from time to time and it’s usually painful. Anything that has swollen up can be sore due to the pressure. What size is the lump? If it’s small again that would suggest a reactive lymph node not lymphoma

An£ you would normally have other symptoms with lymphoma

Er - here's a thought. Why don't go to see your GP?

I had painful one at the base of my head at the back. It turned out to be caused by eczema in my outer ear. I did not even associate the two but as soon as the gp treated the eczema, the lymph gland went down.

As pp says, see your GP.
I have had lymphoma. I had zero pain, but I did have other symptoms. You won’t know either way until you get it checked out, and you can make yourself ill in other ways just worrying.
Hope it’s something easily fixable. 💐

Lymphoma nodes tend to keep growing, or more pop up and down. A solitary node that isn’t continuing to grow wouldn’t worry me. Especially if no other symptoms eg drenching night sweats, weight loss, fatigue. But see your GP, they can hopefully reassure you. If not sure an ultrasound will show whether the node looks structurally normal.

My Dad has lymphoma. He found out by finding a lump in his neck but it was painless, it didnt go up or down, it just slowly grew and he had other symptoms too. I think painful glands are a sign of fighting an infection but I'm not a doctor. Just get to your GP and take it from there. Good luck OP X

@Srictlybakeoff it’s difficult to measure the size. Maybe 1.5cm? The lump itself is not painful. My neck that entire side aches all around it. Maybe there’s a blockage of lymph fluid?

@IheartNiles you sound like a medical professional. Any idea re the aching?

Thank you all for replying

I’m watching with interest as my neck is also aching one side, the ache sometimes extends into the top of my shoulder and shoulder blade. Thyroid also has intermittent pangs of pain. No obvious lumps though. GP can’t feel anything untoward.

It might be aching for various reasons. No one on here will be able to reassure you without examining you, so see the GP next week. If at all in doubt they will send you for an ultrasound.

Lymph nodes can sometimes flare up when you have an underlying infection that your immune system is fighting. It might not be enough to make you feel fully unwell but enough that your immune system has taken notice. Have you been under the weather/vitamin deficient recently?

Also how old are you? In younger people (50 and below) lymphoma usually presents with a huge, growing lump on lymph nodes. Worth getting checked out but no need to panic just yet.

I am vitamin D deficient but pretty much everyone is this time of year! No illnesses to speak of since I found the lump. Which now I think about it was about 6 months ago. At the same time I started suffering from what I assume is acid reflux. I have globus sensation. Ent looked down my throat and couldn’t see anything abnormal. The lymph node appeared a couple of weeks later. Or rather I found it a couple of weeks later. Could have been there much longer.

I’m in my 30’s

Have you not consulted a doctor at all since you discovered this lump?

I did when it was there for a few weeks and saw a nurse practitioner who said because I didn’t have night sweats she wasn’t concerned and it was mobile so to keep an eye on it. I forgot for a while but was aware of the aching the whole time. Now it’s been on my mind for the last few weeks, getting into my GP surgery is a nightmare.

I’ve managed to get a private scan today. I’m so nervous.

I’ve had the scan. He said they’re small and look normal so just to keep an eye on them every once in a while and check they haven’t grown. Thank the lord.

That's good to hear!