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Large lymph node on neck - waiting game

Judgey
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Hi all.

25F, I noticed a very large lump on my neck behind my collarbone over the weekend - large enough to stick out and be visible, I'd say golf ball sized, along with several smaller lumps around the area.

I went to the doctor on Tuesday and she ruled out any infections etc and took blood for blood tests. She referred me on the 2wk urgent for a biopsy but as I'm not sure how long the lump was there she's concerned it will get rejected owing to it not being "persistent". I'm that case I will have to wait for an ultrasound. I have also been experiencing extremely itchy legs the past few weeks/months which I didn't realize might be connected but apparently that can be a symptom of lymphoma...

I am so worried but at the same time feel like it's too early to panic. Finding it very hard to get on with life knowing I have this huge lump on my neck and no idea what has caused it.

Anyone in a similar situation or have any experiences to share to put my mind at ease?

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    Hello Judgey, 

    You did the right thing to go to the doctor's on Tuesday and it's good that they are being thorough and have referred you for a biopsy. Make sure you also mention that you have been experiencing extremely itchy legs in the past few weeks but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be as it could be a symptom of many other things. 

    You are right that it is too early to panic. I know you are finding it hard to get on with life at the moment and it's easy to become fixated on this especially as you are finding yourself waiting but all you can do while you are waiting is try and keep busy and focused on other things if you can. Try and keep distracted with something you enjoy doing. There are helpful tips on this page to help you cope while you are waiting.  Try and keep away from Dr Google too as looking things up online tends to only bring up the worst and will only make you more anxious. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Offline

    For anyone who finds this thread in the future - I have just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (stage to be determined) and will be starting chemo in the next week or two. Don't ignore symptoms but also trust the doctors!

    I saw an ENT consultant, and was referred for a contrast CT and Ultrasound guided biopsy. At the biopsy my lovely doctor was incredible and did say that it looked like lymphoma, and he got on to some colleagues at Pathology to prioritize my sample. Exactly a week later I got a late night call from my ENT consultant to say that the biopsy was showing Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the CT results weren't official yet but it looks like there's no other nodes enlarged. I'll be meeting with my MDT next week to discuss the plan going forward.

     

     

    Hope this is helpful to someone in the future as I know I scoured these threads!

  • Offline in reply to Judgey

    Gosh that is all so quick. I'm  struggling to get any results or anything. I found a lump in my groin 18 months ago that my doctor said was nothing to worry about but it kept growing. Eventually after more visits my doctor made an appointment for a US scan which took a few more weeks. Didn't hear anything back so assumed all was fine. 3 months later I make an appointment to see about getting the lump removed and they didn't even have the US results. Turns out, my results were an urgent cancer referral! I've had a CT scan and a biopsy a month ago but still no results from this or any diagnosis. My GP says they can't help, I've emailed the hospital and have been calling and leaving messages to no avail. It feels like I'm helpless and there is no end to this waiting hell.

  • Offline in reply to Judgey

    Hi Judgey,

    I've got an ultrasound next week on 9th I've got 5 nodes enlarged 4 on the left and 1 on the right.

    i also have extremely itchy shins, to the point where I itch them until I cut them.

    lost 2 stone in just over a month, and also got a colonoscopy because I'm showing symptoms of bowel aswell.

    which apparently bowel can spread to nodes aswell.

    I hope your treatment is going well 

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