Lymph node biopsy results - been waiting 9 weeks now. Is there anything we can do?

My husband is 68 years old and has been waiting for biopsy results on a large neck lump for 9 weeks. When we contact the GP all they say is there is a backlog at the hospital and there is nothing they can do. 

I am worried that by the time we get the results and if it is cancer it may have spread and may not be treatable. 

There is no one we can contact at the hospital. Does anyone have any advice please?

  • Welcome to the forum Swani although I'm sorry to hear how long you and your husband have been waiting for his biopsy results, and that it may be even longer due to the current backlog at the hospital.

    This must be incredibly frustrating, especially with having no contact details for anyone at the hospital and your GP saying there's nothing they can do, but hopefully some of our members who have been in a similar situation will stop by soon to share their experiences and advice.

    If it would help to have a chat with one of our cancer nurses about this, they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very easy to talk to and will do all they can to answer your questions and help you figure out what options may be available to you at this time.

    In the meantime, try to stay calm and I hope this guidance we have on how to cope with waiting for news will help to steady your nerves until you know more.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • If your husband is in the NHS in England? When I had trouble with getting my diagnosis results I contacted PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service/which is Free in the NHS. Let them know your concerns? I hope your husband gets his results back soon. I know how the waiting is so traumatic, as I ended up finding out 11 weeks and 2 days. Bless you and your husband x