Hard lump at front of neck

[Petals17]

Hi, I am hoping someone can share a little insight.
Back in March my DH went to the GP as he had noticed a small lump in his neck. It is at the front, but sort of side of the windpipe, mid neck and around where the thyroid should be. He also had sore throats on and off.
this GP didn’t examine him but just said something to the effect of ‘it will pass, don’t worry’.
My DH isn’t easily worried regarding health usually. He is 36, a healthy weight, has never smoked and rarely drinks.

Fast forward, he tells me a few nights ago the lump feels bigger and that the sore throats are still there. We have been to the GP again who was more thorough, and she referred him to ENT. He got a phone call the same day, and has an appointment for next Thursday… but it is a telephone appointment? The letter seems to refer to a 2 week referral. What does this mean, will they actually see/examine him within those 2 weeks?
I can’t imagine what they can find out through a phone call? He told the GP all he knows.

My DH is in a really bad head space, he is absolutely convinced it is cancer and he’s going to die.
I am trying to do what I can to distract him, and reassure him that there are so many possible scenarios, but I don’t want to invalidate his concerns either.

I just wish we knew when he could actually be seen for an ultrasound or camera. Are these things very expensive to do privately?

I guess I’m just looking for any words of wisdom from anyone who has gone through this.

To prepare for the phone call he needs to write down dates and times of every symptom, try to describe the lump as accurately as possible and how much it has grown. Giving an accurate history is very important. Hopefully they will arrange appropriate investigations.
I had a really important second opinion phone appointment during lockdown. I had waited a year for the appointment, so I was pretty anxious. I wrote a detailed history so that when I spoke to the doctor everything was there in front of me. She arranged for me to come to the hospital for several investigations, all done very quickly and efficiently.

Make sure he has absolute quiet for the consultation. No noises off or distractions.

Not sure if similar but my son started with a small lump and then sore throat started and now in hospital currently with severe tonsillitis his throat is mostly closed and he is in double antibiotics which wasn't diagnosed by the dr tho we took him twice

DD’s boyfriend had this exact same thing - he was referred to ENT under the 2 week pathway, had scans, biopsy and follow up appointments. They were checking for thyroid cancer but it turned out to be two benign cysts on the thyroid. He is discharged from ENT but has been told that if the lumps grow so that he has problems swallowing or breathing, to call them and he can have them removed.

My DH has had quite bad tonsillitis in the past. if you don’t mind me asking, whereabouts is the lump for him? I hope he will start getting better soon, that sounds very scary.

I will make sure he writes down some notes as I know it’s so easy to forget on the spot.

I just can’t quite see the point in trying to diagnose something over the phone now. I am probably just frustrated as it is hard seeing someone so distressed. I think he would feel a bit better if he was going to be examined.

@SabbatWheel I am glad he is okay. Did he get seen quite quickly for the scans and biopsy?

Sorry Petals only just seen your questions.
He was referred under the 2 week pathway so everything happened very quickly. The lumps were deep down on the front left of his throat, and were quite difficult to feel according to DD, but one of the cysts was 2cm. They still decided to leave them in situ though.