Hi proudmummy.

I am not a doctor and I have no medical qualifications.

Please be reassured by your GP that cancer is very unlikely, because that is right. I have lost count of the number of times I've had nodes swell up and often be painful, for no observable reason.  Of course, what's really been happening is that they've been fighting an infection, even though I haven't been aware of it.

It can take several weeks for a node to settle down to normal after it's fought off an infection, and sometimes a node never settles down to its previous size, but stays harmlessly swollen.

Since you've only had this for a week, it really is far too early to get worried about what is almost certain a normal reaction to an infection. Wait and see is by far the best option for you at the moment. 

Please let me caution you against using Google. Inevitably, it turns up the most unlikely worst case scenario.  Also, don't fall in the anxiety trap, which goes like this: Patient presents to GP with a simple condition, but is highly anxious. GP senses patient's anxiety and decides to set patient's mind at rest by referring for some tests. Patient thinks OMG, the doctor has referred me for tests, I must therefore have cancer!  

Hi everyone,

I am so glad I found this thread, it has given me so much reassurance.

I recently noticed a swollen lymph node in my neck under my jaw. I have also had a swollen belly, constipation and chest pain. Obviously the first thing I did was google my symptoms and until reading this, convinced myself I have lymphoma. I am 25 years old and recently started a new job which is target driven and therefore can be very stressful at times, which I am hoping is the cause. I have also previously had glandular fever back in 2017 and suffer with frequent tonsillitis. I do not currently feel ill or have the flu which I guess is the reason I have been so concerned.

I am going to see my gp next week who I am sure will put me through similar tests to what you guys have had. After reading this I do have a much more positive mindset so thank you all!

Wish everyone the best, will post updates later! 

Hello to all who have posted recently, but sorry to see that you are worrying! Long post coming up...

I think googling “swollen lymph nodes” and “lymphoma” can be particularly anxiety inducing because there is so much conflicting information (firm nodes, rubbery nodes, moveable, non-moveable, and on and on) and so much information on how it happens YOUNG. This, coupled with the fact that most of us will be able to find a swollen node somewhere on our body due to being slim, or maybe having a virus (even if we feel well) or from a previous infection where our nodes haven’t returned to normal... its not surprising it can send us into panic.

But, the odds really are overwhelmingly in your favour. Also, what we read on google is often incorrect, or worst case scenarios, and cannot necessarily be applied to our own situation. What we take from the information presented to us also depends on our mindset - you could read something on google about texture of cancerous nodes, feel your node and think it feels “firm” one minute, then an hour later it feels “rubbery” and your heads all over the place and you don’t know what to think! Thats how it was for me, and its often anxiety robbing us of our rational thoughts. We feel what our mind is telling us to feel, depending on the information we’re focusing on.

Of course though, it is entirely natural to worry, and I think this forum really is a great place for people to let out their fears and seek support. I sincerely hope that all those who posted will have good outcomes following their tests and appointments!! And its definitely important to get a medical opinion if you do find you have swollen lymph nodes. I’m not sure if its entirely helpful to say, but in the case of lymphoma the treatment really is so successful in most cases, and its not the death sentence we might conjure in our heads. Even at advanced stages lymphoma is most often treated successfully, so this is a positive thing to know too!

Lymphoma has an incidence of around 5 per 100,000 people, making it very rare. I live in a town of 20,000 people, so on average there would only be one case per year in my town. 

You have a ten times greater chance of being injured in a road accident than getting lymphoma but few of us freak out over the possibility of being injured on the road. 

The fact is that we are very bad at estimating risk, so I think it helps to remember that rare diseases happen rarely, and that Doctor Google is a very poor substitute for a real GP. 

Quick update....

I had my MRI on Wed and then a ultra sound, the guy indicated that it looked like fluid so they stuck a needle in my neck and drew off loads of fluid that they described as 'pus like' This has now been sent of for testing. For a couple of days my lump was almost invisible but it has filled up again now. I shall see what the specialist has to say on Wednesday. 

There is the possibility that it's linked to the tooth abscess I had but they can't rule anything out just yet. 

So I have been to see the consultant today, he says the fluid they drew off is suspect and that he suspects it may be cancer of the tonsil. Although this is not yet confirmed. I am waiting for an appointment to have the tonsil removed for testing. He said the MRI needed more looking into. I also have to have a CT scan of the chest and stomach to see if there is anything else about. 

While there was always a doubt in my mind, I didn't expect to be hearing this today. I was really hoping it was an internal abcess. 

I'm very scared due to watching my Mum suffer from cancer before passing away 18 months ago. And it's crazy what goes through your mind, I now help to look after my disabled and almost blind Dad who is 82 and I'm thinking - I can't have cancer, my Dad needs me!! 

Hi Halfcent.  This is certainly what you don't want to hear. But all you can do now is go with the flow. Have the tests and try not to worry (easy for me to say).  There is also hope that the lab finds the fluid is clear, or if there is cancer, that the tonsillectomy removes it. 

Hi Halfcent,

I am so sorry to hear that you are still waiting for a proper diagnosis. Has your consultant said how long it will be before you get your tonsil removed or your CT and X-ray?

I am sure that this is not the news that you were hoping for today , but it's not all bad, as your doctors still don't know for certain.

I agree that it is terrifying, if you have already watched your Mum passing away with cancer. I too lost my own Mum to cancer. She had breast cancer for 12 years and, eventually succumbed to secondary cancer in her brain, bones, liver and lungs. Her end was horrific, but that was 21 years ago and, there is absolutely no comparison between the treatment that I have received and that which Mum experienced. Great strides have been made with cancer treatment in the past few years and people are now living with it as opposed to dying with it.

I hope that it won't be long before you get these extra tests and that the results won't be as bad as you expect. Please let us know how you get on and remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, 

The appointment for surgery will be in the next couple of weeks. I'm just waiting for a letter to confirm. I'm going for my pre op on Monday. I can't complain at the speed things are going, the fast track is certainly fast. 

He said rather than faff around taking more biopsies that he would rather just not waste any time and get the tonsil out and send that for testing. He said about getting the CT scan done on the same day as the op. (I think, it was all a bit of a blur) I'm scared they think there is something else elsewhere. Is it normal procedure to have a full torso scan?

I've had a terrible night and I feel really shaky this morning. I can't wait to get to work to take my mind off it.  I'm normally a strong person, but feel alright wuss at the minute. 

Thanks for your chat, it's appreciated very much.