Symptoms?

Hi,

I would say about two years ago I found a lump in my neck but I didn't tell anyone because I was scared of having to go through everything. I have a massive fear of hospitals and needles in perticular which is why I haven't told anyone. There's been no pain so I feel like it could be nothing? 
 

Then about a year ago I found a lump on the top of my leg. I am quite worried that it could be something serious but I still haven't told anyone. I feel like I would be happy talking to someone if I knew that in order to check it there would be no need for needles or anything like that. Does anyone know if this could be true?

  • Hi there,

    I went to see my GP recently about a lump in my neck and a lump in my groin.

    They felt the lumps and checked my other lymph nodes etc by hand.

    They assessed the groin one as a skin infection (cyst I think) and gave me anti biotics, which did clear it up.

    The second one they felt and said it was very likely benign but to come back if I was worried in the future. 

    So I'd recommend speaking to your GP if you are worried, and also explain your fear of needles to them.

    Thats purely based on my experience but hope that helps.

     

     

     

     

  • Unfortunately, no one can give you the answers you seek. The only correct answer is, go see your gp. It's a scary thing to go and see about, but for a small number of people, it can be a matter of being sat in an office being told you will need treatment of some sort, and for an even smaller percentage, being told had they arrived months prior, treatment would have been an option.

    Believe me, the sooner you go and see about things, the less needles and medical care are needed.

    The chances are, it's nothing. Cysts, infections are waaaaaaaaaaay more common than cancerous lumps, but as this forums proves, it can and does happen to some.

    Go see about it and that way you can get on and enjoy the rest of your life. Otherwise, you're going be wasting it fretting over something that is probably nothing. But only a gp can tell you it's nothing. Not someone sat behind a pc posting on a forum.

    Not to freak you out, but it is fact, a lot of cancerous lumps aren't sore or don't cause discomfort initially. Cancer tends to hurt when it blocks something or presses against a nerve or structure that has nerves. Infections tend to cause pain or discomfort.

  • I don't want to worry you, but I will say I had a lump on my neck for at least 5 years that turned out to be thyroid cancer. It didn't cause pain; thyroid cancer rarely does

    Now, the vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign and that is even assuming it is a thyroid nodule which I have no reason to assume. It could be many things and I don't think the lack of pain suggests anything one way or the other. Neither benign or cancerous thyroid nodules are likely to cause pain. I don't know about other forms of cancer that affect the neck as I have not had any experience of them.

    I will say if they do suspect thyroid cancer it is likely that their first step will be to do an ultrasound scan. This just means they put gel on your neck and rub something around it to get scans. If that suggests cancer is a possibility, then a biopsy would probably be necessary. But it is possible the scan could indicate no further treatment is necessary.

    You really do need to get both things checked out. They probably aren't connected to one another and neither might be anything serious, but even in that case, the doctor will be able to give you some reassurance.

    You are likely jumping on a couple of steps before you will be referred for anything likely to involve needles. Just go and see the doctor. If they suggest referring you for tests, you can tell them how you feel about needles and see if there are any alternatives. And that may not even happen.

  • I'm pretty certain the first thing they will do is ultrasound them so you should be fine, they most likely tell you what they are from that. Neck and legs is prime areas for harmless Lipomas.