lump on side of neck

hello i have a lump on the side of my neck that for a month doctors were saying was a swollen gland as i had bronchitis plurisy then gastritis within the last 3 months.but the lump didnt go down and i developed problems swallowing like something stuck in throat but thought it was the acid reflux i have been experiencing,but the lump was tender so i went to see a different doctor and she said its a cyst and is sending me for a throat scan. I amm worried sick as i have lost a stone in weight which i thought was down to the gastritis and the acid but i cant stop thinking its cancer although the doc said she dont think serious like a fluid filled cyst might need draining, i cant stand all the waitng and worrying and have developed anxiety over it all some info would be appreciated thank you 

  • Hello,

    I have the same symptoms as you. My left side of my neck is slightly swollen, at times my throat feels tender. I went for an ultrasound of my thyroid today and a preliminary report from the technician said it looked fine.

    Now I am worried about throat cancer. Can an ultrasound of the thyroid pick up throat cancer?

    I know some signs of throat cancer and lung cancer are:1) weight loss 2) spitting up blood 3) cough 4) change in voice 5) sores in throat 6) white patched in throat. 7) with lung cancer only (I think)  u may have slightly swollen eyes. Something about a few nerves in the lung go up to ones eyes or something like that. Not necessarily in this order.

    Have you gone to an ENT doctor?  I am supposed to go but I am so afraid. Hope it all goes well for you.

  • Oh Elissa! According to your profile you're an ICU nurse! 

    You know as well as we do that Dr Google is the worst type of quack and should be struck off immediately. You also know that posting your symptoms here won't make them go away. 

    It's time to gird your loins and see an ENT consultant. Waiting will only make things worse.

    Yes, it's scary! You don't have to tell me. I recently went through an ENT mill of neck MRI followed by panendoscopy for suspected throat cancer, and waiting for results is an absolute nightmare, but it has to be done

    Take a husband, partner, family member, or friend with you - but please don't procrastinate any more. 

  • Hi worriedmich. Welcome to the forum.

    Apart from the nurses, we're not medically qualified and I am not a doctor.  However, just before Xmas I went to my doctor with a persistent sore throat, and was referred to the local ENT department to rule out throat cancer, so I know a little of what's going through your mind, and it's not pleasant.

    I think you need to remember that doctors today tend to order tests to rule cancer out, rather than rule it in. My GP was pretty certain I didn't have cancer, but decided it was prudent for me to get checked out by a specialist.  You've seen two GPs who both think your lump is nothing to worry about, but are being prudent by getting it scanned. You've got some gastric problems which might explain the weight loss. 

    So far, no one has even hinted at cancer as a possible cause for your problems, so really this anxiety is of your own making. That doesn't make it easier to bear, by the way, as I know from personal experience. Try to keep yourself busy, and try not to worry about something that may never happen. As a friend of mine once said: Let's fall off that bridge when we get to it. 

  • Hi,

    How are u doing? Waiting for the results must be intense, anxiety personified. Things will be what what they're going to be, however, think positive. Everything will work out for you.

    .I know you're right & thank u so much for making reality slap me in the face. I needed that. Why would I wait? Goes against everything I believe in & worked as. Early detection is key. I will make the appointment Monday with an ENT. I have to think positive.

    Never did I ever think I would be in this situation. I will definitely see an ENT doc & will make appointment this Monday.

    Thank you so much for helping me out. You are an angel. I will pray all works out for you too. Keep in touch. Elissa

  • Hi Elissa.

    I'm greatly relieved to say that all my tests eventually came back clear, but the wait was pretty bad.

    Now I want you to post here tomorrow and tell me you've made the appointment!

    Best wishes.

  • I will definitely make an appointment tomorrow. I will definitely post the date & time when it is.I promise.

    Thanks again, Elissa

  • I am so happy about your reults. You must t ve on cloud nine. Thank God! Elissa

  • Hi Elissa

    Yes, I was very relieved. But it has taken about 6 weeks for my blood pressure to drop down to a normal level. I've got my own blood pressure machine and it was high in the run up to my appointments. That wasn't too surprising.

    But in the couple of weeks after it didn't drop down again (despite taking my tablets).  In fact, I mentioned it to my GP and she thought I might need to have my medication adjusted, but she didn't change it.

    However, I took it about an hour ago and I'm relieved that it has dropped down to where it was before. I'll monitor it for the next week just to be sure it wasn't a fluke.  Then I can report back to my GP that it's all normal.

    These brushes with the big C really cause far more stress than most people imagine. 

  • Hi Telemando,
    You can say that again
    . These brushes with the big C are about
    100 nightmares rolled into one
     ( don't know if that was a worthwhile analogy).

  • What an amazing answer! Google is definately the worst at diagnosing ur illnesses. Thankyou u made my day!