I am really worried about my dad, (lump on throat) can anyone reassure me/share experiances?

[loopylou6]

My mum told me today that on tuesday night whilst having a shave my dad noticed a lump the size of a 2 pence peice on the bottom of his throat (thyroid area) he went the docs who have referred him for bloods and and ultra sound.
Obviousley i am thinking thyroid cancer, especially as the lump is apparently quite hard and imobile. The only good things that are giving me hope is that, A, he has never smoked, and B, he taked very good care of his health, barely drinks and is not overweight etc etc, also, surely a nasty lump would not just appear very quickly? he says he has been aware of it for about a week now, but only checked properly on tuesday
Last but not least he had a scare a fair few months back with prostate cancer, thankfully it wasnt cancer, just normal changes, but they did do blood tests to check his PSA (i think) levels, would they of found anything nasty in his blood then?
Sorry its long, but i would really appreciate anyone's input.

My grandad, maybe the same age as your dad roughly, found a lump in his throat. It turned out to be an abcesso on his thyroid gland. He got it removed and was out of hospital the same day.

thank you CG, did your grandad have any pain caused by his lump? my dads is painless

I dont think so as far as I know. He never complained or said anything. Did everything without anyone knowing except my mum. He thought it was cancer at first and it really scared him.

thnaks for sharing CG x

ur welcome x

I've had a lump (goitre) on one side of my thyroid for a good many years now, it's just a bit bigger than a 2p coin. It's hard too, and immobile, although does move up and down when I swallow. It's not cancer, and apart from having to get it checked now and again, it doesn't cause me any concern. Although admittingly I have fretted over it now and again. Just to let you know if it does turn out to be thyroid cancer, it's got one of the best survival rates of all cancers. Good luck with your dad.

My cousin found a lump on her throat and it did turn out to be thyroid cancer. Apparantly this is very unusual though. The lump was removed and she is absolutely fine, although has to take thyroid every day. Even the worse case scenario (cancer) is appears to be not too bad. Apparantly it is one of the "best" cancers to get as the cure rate is fantastic. Hoping it turns out to be nothing though.

MW, thank you, that is really reasurring
NL sorry bout your cousin, glad she is fine now, its good to know the recovery rates are high

shameless bump

and again

FIL had this about 10 years ago, it was just a goitre so nothing sinister. It was removed in a simple op and he's had no issues since.

HTH .

there are a few reasons for lumps on the thyroid, goitre, as macwoozy mentioned is usually due to graves disease - a form of overactive thyroid, there is also another thyroid conditon that can cause non cancerous growths on the tyroid (that is usually what they look for with the ultra sound) cant remember what its called but its not in any way life threatening, lastly is thyroid cancer, but i believe this is rare and as already siad has one of the best survival rates.

I discovered a lump at the base of my neck, just behind my collarbone. It appeared overnight (it seemed to anyway). It was 'Marshmallowy' in size and texture. I had a variety of tests and the lump removed and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.It is quite a rare cancer and does have a good survival rate (thank god)but does effect people mainly in their 20's and later life. Hope this helps and doesn't frighten you - 5 years on i am still clear.xx

thank you so much for sharing your experiances with me, i reallly appreaciate it i am hoping it is goitre thingy, but it is reasuuring to know that there are survivers out there. bongosmum, i am soooo pleased that you are ok and clear xx

another bump if anyone has anymore to share?

I also have a lump on my thyroid for which I have had scans in the past. Mine turns out to be nothing to worry about despite being visible to the eye. I know how scary this is believe me but it can be something completely normal. Best wishes and I hope all turns out well for your dad.

thank you BIOTB. Can i ask how big yours is and where it is situated? my dads is below his adams apple and it looks the size of a large grape, when he lifts his head bcak and swallows you can see it going up and down

Yes, that's pretty much where mine is too. It's not quite as big as that (but size doesn't seem to be the risk factor as far as I can tell). I can also feel it when I swallow sometimes.

thanks BIOTB, i do feel a teeny bit reasurred after that. My dad has to go for his bloods to be taken on wednesday, he has to do a fasting blood test? and then he has to have a scan