Cancer Research UK main site

Branchial cyst

Shelly3
Offline

Hi my name is shell, end of June noticed what I thought was a swollen gland but when it was still there in July went to docs. had bloods done all clear but felt he should refer me. the result being had the lump removed 10 days ago told would be simple and small scar, woke up in recovery with whopping scar on left side of neck and numbness so at least no pain. sent home that evening. yesterday had staples removed in clinic then seen registrar for results. he said sorry but it's cancer and I would have to be referred to Aintree hospital in Liverpool. tried to ask questions basically any info but refused to answer anything other than the name of the consultant I'm being referred to and that "there is cancer" his exact words. the trouble is in all the fog of it all and his reluctance to say anything I've been left an absolute wreck. he didn't explain why the scar was so big or what they took out, and while I was asleep they were they were going to look down the throat to check and take any biopsies from other areas they felt necessary. so I'm left not knowing if they did or didn't, if they did were they the problem or the lump or both. I know it sounds stupid but has left me feeling so frightened and struggling to cope x shell 

Sorry did say lump was branchial cyst and gave me a macmillan leaflet then left us with the nurse x 

  • Offline in reply to sp81

    Hi there, I hope you are recovering well? I am having a branchial cyst surgery coming up soon and totally nervous and scared.

    May I please ask how big was your cyst?

    Also was yours a day surgery? Is the pain immediate the next day?

     

    Any information will be helpful thank you X 

  • Offline in reply to KatieMcG

    Hi there I'm glad to hear that you're 99% recovered :)! Wishing you 100% recovery!  
     

    I am having a branchial cyst surgery coming up soon and totally nervous and scared.

    May I please ask how big was your cyst?

    Is the pain immediate the next day?

    Any information will be helpful thank you X 

  • Offline in reply to Kutty06

    Hi, please don't be too worried. I am fine now and recovered. My cyst was about 9cm in length and pretty big. In my needle aspiration, they took out over 100ml and it didn't shrink in size!!! It was attached to lots of neck structures so the op was more complex and lasted around 6 hours! I didn't know anything about it though!! The pain was totally bearable - more uncomfortable. Because of the cut nerves, the pain isn't so bad. Manageable on paracetamol and codeine. I stayed overnight, and was discharged early afternoon of the day after. It was swollen but that goes down. I was a bit surprised by the 20 odd staples in my neck!!! I hadn't thought about how they would close it, but they were fine and didn't hurt when they came out. It is more uncomfortable. I slept sitting upright for a few days. When I left hospital, they gave me physio movements to do as they had carried out a radical neck dissection so I had to practise turning my head. That is mind over matter rather than pain, I didn't trust the staples to hold!!! They did!!! My scar was large but the surgeon was brilliant and it now isn't really noticeable as it follows my neckline. I didn't have a lot of bruised nerves due to the complexity but that meant my mouth was droopy and my shoulder ached. They warned me about that but it comes back with time. I was back in work after about 3 - 4 weeks. Rest will see you right! I hope it all goes well. Good luck! I'm sure you will be fine! Katie 

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.