Pea sized lump hasn’t gone away after 4+weeks

Hi, I'm a 14 year old male and I have had pea sized, moveable, painless lump on the bone on the side of my neck for about 2 months now (maybe more or less I can't remember) and at first I didn't think about it but then I googled it and it said swollen lymth node and that it should go down in 2-4 weeks,But it's been  way longer then that and it's still there. So I decided to do more googling and it said if it hasn't gone down it might be cancer. Now I have been worrying it for a couple of days, but of course it's google, it says cancer for everything... please someone tell me if I should be concerned... it's painless (unless I force pain on it) a little moveable, and not very hard. 

  • Hello and thank you for your email,

    I can appreciate your concern about your this.

    Unfortunately, I am afraid that it is not possible for me to know what this could be but it is very likely that this is not something serious. Any cancer would be uncommon and fairly unlikely in someone young for example, so try not to worry. 

    This is because the symptoms of cancer are the same symptoms for other far more likely non-cancerous common medical conditions that GP's see day to day. Lumps or lymph nodes can be caused for various reasons, such as a local skin infection, or a blocked or inflamed lymph gland (lymph node). Sometimes lymph nodes come up in response to a recent bacterial or viral infection elsewhere in the body.

    There is some useful information on the NHS website link here

    www.nhs.uk/.../

    I would suggest that if you remain worried, or if they are sore or get bigger, that you go and see your GP as they will have a look and hopefully reassure you.

    I hope that this reply helps.

    Best wishes

    Vanda

  • Hi James, sorry for answering. 
    its very brave to come online and talk about any health issues at your young age.

    Not all lumps and bumps turn out to be dodgey. 
    Please however make an appointment with your Family doctor and they the have a look. It should only take 10mins to check you over and ask a few questions.

    I'd also take someone with you too. They can listen in and take in what gets said in case you forget any info.

    Keep us posted

    Efffie :)

  • Hi James, 

    I once found a lump that was in my upper arm and I ignored it for years. It didn't hurt and didn't grow, but in the end I got it checked out and luckily it turned out to just be a fatty lump that was nothing to worry about. 
     

    Doctors seem to take lumps very seriously and there's good reason for that. Speak to your parents and book an appointment as it's much better to be safe, plus it'll put your mind at ease. 
     

    J