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Lump on my neck

Susan10
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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. 
 

 

Parents
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    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. 

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    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. 

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