Child with lump on neck

Hello, I have an eight year old boy who started with a pea sized lump on his neck I’d say nearly a year ago, I initially took him to the doctor who more or less laughed me out of the room and told me all children have these after an illness and it’s very common. She also said they can stay enlarged for a while. I did try to explain it had been there a long time and he hadn’t had any infections recently but did I feel reassured that its nothing serious. A few months on it was still there and I’d say about the size of a twenty pence, my son had also been complaining of leg pain and ankle pain frequently. This time the same doc said I would be wasting time getting him referred but gave him a blood test, the results came back with no further investigation needed. 
I have really tried to put this all to the back of my mind and accept that it’s just a swollen gland but my son is still complaining of leg pain and crying sometimes saying it hurts to walk. He eats well and is fairly active but does tire out easily and is quite pale. The lump is still there and does seem  bigger still. Today he has woke up and is holding his neck on the side ,as he’s saying it’s hurting badly on the side of the lump. I have rang doctors who have said it’s probably just a strained muscle but I just can’t help worrying so much! I feel so neurotic but the doctor does not seem concerned at all! 
sorry for such a long post x

  • That must be so worrying! I'm also currently concerned about a couple of swollen lymph nodes that have been enlarged for almost a couple of months. I was told to wait a couple of weeks after my initial trip to the doctor to see if it got bigger, or went down. A few days later, an even bigger node came up on the other side, at the base of my neck and my GP did a fast track referral after examining me. At the hospital, when scanned, the larger node measured 14mm - so I need a core biopsy, but the hospital didn't sound that urgent about it. 

    I think you should probably go back to your GP after a couple more weeks if nothing has gone down, or if the lumps have got bigger. By the way, apart from my thyroid, my blood tests came back okay too, but they still wanted to do further investigations.

    I hope everything gets resolved for you and your son soon, and you can put your mind at rest.

  • Thank you for your reply Gladys, I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a worrying time. I do hope you will get some answers after your biopsy. 
    that’s interesting that your bloods came back ok, I certainly think my sons lump is 14mm. It has got bigger over time just very slowly. He’s held his head at an angle all day today saying his neck is aching on the side of his lump but usually it doesn’t bother him, he just complains about his legs aching a lot which I put down to growing pains. I will ring the GP tomorrow and ask to see a different doctor.   I hate feeling that I’m overreacting but like you say I need to put my mind at rest! 
    thank you again for your reply x

  • I think a second opinion is definitely worth getting after this length of time. Wishing you both well.

  • Hello island girl39. 

    I am going through the same as you with my 8 year old and pains in his legs, crying when he walks. He can not even complete a full week in school at the moment because the teacher agree he is in so much discomfort. 
    My doctors kept saying growing pains but I just knew it wasn’t. I know it’s a pain but I would take him to A&E. I did this and demanded a scan. They gave him an X-ray which did show “ an area” behind his knee. We are now under the children’s hospital. Parents know best don’t let your GP fob you off. I hope you manage to put your mind at ease xx

  • Hi daughter 2410

    thank you very much for the reply, I’m sorry to hear about your son, what a worry for you and I’m so glad you have got somewhere and being listened to now! I We asked to see another doctor this week for my son  and straight away he commented on the lump on his neck and said he needs to be referred to ENT. I’m not sure how long the wait will be. We have another appointment with the doctor tomorrow as he is still in pain with his neck and not holding it straight,but they think it’s unrelated to the lump. It’s such a battle to get someone to take you seriously! 
    best wishes to you and your son xx