Cancer Research UK main site

Lump on my neck

Susan10
Offline

A family member noticed a lump on my neck around 3 years ago and told me I should get it checked. The doctor reffered me to get an ultrasound and I was then told it was a small cyst on my thyroid. I was reassured it was nothing to worry about and no point removing it as I was young and it would leave an unnessesary scar. I was so happy to get this result and I didn't mind if the cyst stayed there as it wasn't causing any problems at the time. 

Over the past year, I have noticed the lump more when I look in the mirror and I now feel something is pressing on my neck 24/7. I have anxiety about swallowing food as I feel like I'm going to choke so I have to over chew my food before swallowing. For these reasons, I've began to think this could be thyroid cancer since it feels like my lump has gotten bigger. I also thought that since my mum has cancer, there's now a slightly higher chance I'll get it. I could just be paranoid though. 
 

I decided to arrange an appointment with the doctor a few weeks ago and she could also see and feel the lump in my neck. She urgently referred me for an ultrasound. 
 

Within a few days I received an appointment date and my mind flooded with thoughts. I started googling thyroid cancer and the symptoms and also googling thyroid benign cysts. I knew it would either still be benign or it could be cancer.

 

I got the ultrasound yesterday and the doctor who carried out the ultrasound told me I just had a lymph node. He stated this could be caused by a vaccine which I haven't got? I told him this and he still assured me it's a lymph node and nothing to worry about. 

I was disappointed with myself when they gave me the results. I wish I had asked questions, I wish I had brought up to the doctor for the 2nd time that I've already been diagnosed with a thyroid cyst. 

Now I'm confused and I can't stop trying to do my own research. I don't understand how 3 years ago, I had a thyroid cyst and now there's no sign of it and I've just got a Lymph node and why is my lymph node causing me so many problems? Should I push for another opinion?

I would appreciate anyones opinion and I'm sorry if I'm wasting anyones time. 
 

 

  • Offline

    I'm no expert but I did have thyroid cancer and it sounds like everything you've heard is good news.

    Thyroid nodules are incredibly common. I read that about 25% - 40% of the population have them and the vast majority are benign. I've no idea why there was no sign of it in the ultrasound, but I would assume that is good news. And lymph nodes can swell for all kinds of reasons, like infections. He probably just suggested the vaccine as it's something lots of people have gotten recently, not because that is the only possible cause.

    A lot of the symptoms you are experiencing could just be because you are paying so much attention. After my ultrasound and before my biopsy, I started getting a sort of pain in my neck. Once I had had the biopsy, the pain stopped immediately. I am pretty sure I was just sort of imagining it because it was on my mind as something he was going to ask.

    Also, just as reassurance, thyroid cancer isn't what you might be imagining when you hear cancer anyway (not that I think there is any chance you have it; after two ultrasounds, I am sure something would have shown up if you did). They basically just remove your thyroid and then you get on with your life as normal. And it is very slow developing. Mine had probably been there for at least 5 years before I noticed it and when I did, the specialist basically said, "well, it's not going to cause any problems any time in the near future, but it will have to be removed at some point, so psychologically, it's better to do it as soon as possible." 

    I'd say try and stop doing research, though I know that is easier said than done. It sounds as if everything is fine.

    Sorry to hear about your mum. I doubt that has much impact on your own situation though. There is a hereditary form of thyroid cancer, but it's relatively uncommon. 

  • Offline

    I'd ask for a second opinion on the scan if possible. I was in a very differnt situation to you but i when I was 19 I had a lump in throat area, had a FNI and the consultant said all was okay. My mother had a gut feeling and asked for a second opinion, so we sent that same scan off privately to another consultant. He immediatley said the cells looked cancerous and I needed an operation and he was right, it did turn out to be cancerous. All okay now but just I learned that although doctors do amazing things, they can make mistakes and its okay/ important to get things double checked sometimes. 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.