Anyone had a hard fixed lymph node and it not be cancer?

[CornishGiant]

I am waiting for an ultrasound on a lymph node in my neck, it has worrying signs - mostly that it is big (2cm), hard and fixed to the muscle underneath. Anyone had anything similar and it not be cancerous? I can't sleep or eat or think clearly, and I don't dare Google.

Yes me!

I’ve got a lump on the side of my neck, around 1cm and it’s totally benign. I was seen under the 2 week rule at my local hospital too. I’m not sure what you mean by fixed though? Mine does move if I touch it. Fingers crossed for you, I know how terrifying it is

I mean it does not move at all when you push it and it is like a small hard marble. I am also under the 2 week rule which is causing me to panic quite a bit. Thanks @LemonSquash94 and it is good to hear that you didn't have anything concerning.

My DH last year. He had bloods the same day, ultrasound that week. We were concerned too as he was totally well (ie no sign that they were raised due to an infection) but all was good. No idea what caused it though. How stressful for you, hope you get a good outcome and soon.

I had this and panicked thinking and planning for the worst but got the all clear. I described it as a knot in my neck as it was so hard.
Try to relax as may be nothing.

@Loftyloft good to hear that your DH was well. Mine has been up for about 8 weeks now. No sign of infection and not showing any signs of going down. Did your DH's node go down eventually?

I had this in 2013. A 2.6cm node. They removed the complete node under day surgery, I had a neck down to groin contrast mri to see if any other enlarged nodes as well. It came back benign and they don't know what caused the enlarged node. I had a hell of a lot of blood tests (in one sitting they took 13 tubes), to try and determine if an infection had caused the enlarged node but it was all ok.

Thanks @ramblingsonthego that is reassuring. Glad you were ok. Was your node hard and fixed as well? My GP seemed visibly concerned and I have an appointment for next Wednesday. Everything is moving so quickly. I have young children and I can't stop worrying I won't be there to see them grow up. I can't seem to calm my mind down.

I have a lump just like this. Around the same size.

I had routine bloods which identified that my inflammatory markers were elevated. I saw a consultant. He was very thorough. Full investigation, camera down my nose to check my throat. Then an ultrasound.

The lump is benign. It's is a lymph node that has been pushed out. It is unlikely to go back down. The other nodes close down around it.

I am leaving it for now. If it changes I might have it removed.

The consultant says my body was fighting some sort of infection which triggered a reaction from the lymph node.

It has taken 12 weeks for my bloods to return to the normal range.

I have one in my neck. I Had an ultrasound 2 years ago and they thought it was raised in response to an infection but unlikely to go down completely. They were happy enough they didn’t biopsy it as they didn’t see anything worrying on the ultrasound and it is still there now, no changes.
A Lot of nodes raise with infection and never fully go back down.

I had one when I had shingles

It took about three months for DHs to go. I’d fully expected it to be lymphoma and had googled the treatment plans, outcomes (it is not death sentence, good outcomes are particularly seen in younger people, and there are lots of treatment options). Wishing you all the best the next week, the waiting is the worst.

Because it is so hard and fixed it seema more of a solid cancer lump rather than a lymphoma lump. I have managed to build myself into a panic over it and can't think straight. The wait until Wednesday seems unbearable now.

Me, me, me! Same! All fine!!

Thanks Cold it is hard not to freak out. I am definitely completely losing it today

Hi @CornishGiant, I’m in a similar position to you, found a lump in my neck which is about 1.5cm long. I’ve got a scan tomorrow and blood test, will keep my fingers crossed for both of us that everything is ok

Good luck @Boozysoozy1 I hope everything goes OK for you. It's hard not to spiral into panic. Look after yourself.

Me too! It was a stressful time.

They did a fine needle biopsy abc didn’t like the look of that so removed it entirely. I then got a nasty post op infection and ended up in hospital for a week. Eventually got the results and it was benign after all that.

Good luck with it all and as someone said upthread it’s a very treatable cancer if you do have bad news.

I had one several years ago. I had an ultrasound and it was fine. It was there for about 7 months though and then just suddenly disappeared. I didn't feel I'll but it felt sensitive if I wore a necklace which touched it.

How are you? Have you had your appointment?

I had a small hard lymph node in my groin for 2 years after shingles that got infected

Even if it is cancer it could well still be benign. I have a 10x4 cm node attached to my thyroid (yes that big and visible). It's benign (tested several times) and will be removed after pregnancy (and covid probably). It doesn't have to be bad news. Statiscally the chances are much higher for it to be either not a cancer or benign. Maligne cancers are really the minority.

I’m so sorry you are worried

I have had one in my groin for 20 years. Just sits there doing nothing

Hi, I had this too and I remember the worry. I'd had it for well over three months, thought nothing about it. Then went to the GP for something else altogether, he noticed it and was very alarmed - he put me on the two-week testing route which gave me such a shock.

Like others, it was a very inflamed node. After several months it calmed down but it still reoccurs every so often.