Lump above collar bone and waiting for results... UPDATED

Hi Everyone

Just after some advice really (and maybe a virtual hug or two - feeling a bit overwhelmed)

I've had a lump above my collar bone for at least 18 months (don't know exactly when it appeared but I have various lipomas and just brushed it off as the same at the time) it got really hard and more prominent just before christmas so I emailed the Dr to see whether it was worth making an appt to get it checked out. Got a call back the next day and referred straight to ENT. I saw ENT on the 19th - camera up my nose and checked the lump out. He referred me for a ultrasound and biopsy as he was concerned it could be linked to something in my abdomen. Had the biopsy last Wednesday (lovely 40th birthday treat for me lol - they did wish me a happy birthday). I have my follow up booked in for the 4th but I'm losing the plot waiting now. The ultrasound guy said that there was a 10% chance that the lump was 'normal' and while he was doing the biopsy was talking about lymphoma and how treatable it was with chemo - just now he's sown that seed in my mind it's hard to focus on anything else. Doesn't help I started my new job last week too - my new boss has been fab though which was a relief.

Can they really tell what it is likely to be from ultrasound? Anyone had the results before the follow up appointment or have I just got to suck it up and put my patient pants on?!

  • Hi Shazbot

    I’m not knowledgeable in tests, ultrasounds and stuff but just wanted to drop by with one of those hugs you’re after. 

    (((((((HUG))))))) xxx

    Hoping that one of the other members can assist with your questions. It’s awful waiting around for results and not knowing what’s going on. 

    Nice to see your new employer is being kind to you xx 

  • Hi Shazbot79,

    Sorry you're going through all this.

    I do think sadly you need to put your patient pants on (sorry, but I just loved how you put that :) ) that's the curse with all this, the waiting game.  Sometimes they can tell from an ultrasound, but on the basis that you referred to him as "the ultrasound guy" rather than something like "consultant radiologist" I would definitely be waiting to see how your doctor assesses the scan before worrying yourself.  You probably know that lots of things can cause lumps and lots of lumps turn out to be benign. So, while it's easier to say than do, best not to worry until you have to.

    It's only 5 days now to your results, it will be here before you know it.  Hope it comes back as something innocuous!

    If it helps any I started my new job just a month after finding out I had stage 3 cancer, so I totally get how you feel.  I started last June but have barely been there, my employer is being amazing but it always makes you feel guilty.  Still, you need to put your health first!

    Try and think of things to do that are good for distracting you.

    LJx

  • Hi,

    This must be such a worry. You say abdomen?  Is there a lump there too?

    I have a lump above my collar bone, it's pea sized, maybe a bit bigger and wobbles about. I assumed it was a nice. Now I'm worried. But enough about me. I hope thetime flys past, keep busy, treat yourself well, it is your birthday ;) 

    Let us know how you get on

    X

  • Me too Pandoradistribution.  Well two above my collarbone, one below and various other ones.  They could only biopsy one of the collarbone ones as the others are too close to arteries.  Then they decided they needed to operate and remove them for proper analysis so had that done yesterday.

    Your lump may well be nothing to worry about but please do get it checked out.  New lumps should always be checked out.

    LJ

  • Thanks LJ

    Its been a very intense couple of weeks what with going back to work after a redundancy break and the kids going back to after school clubs etc. As nice as my new team are I'm missing the support network of my old job and feeling a bit alone at the moment.

    Ultrasound guy was a Mr so pretty sure he was a consultant but I was half an hour late for my appointment because of the snow last week and mumbled embarrassed through the introductions lol.  

    The ENT Dr mentioned that lumps in this part of your neck can come from elsewhere in the body (he said stomach, ovaries and liver I think) - no one has actually checked my stomach though!

    Just a waiting game I guess.

    Pandoradistribution I only actually have one swollen lymph node which he said was odd - I've been putting off getting myself checked out for ages now - please go and get checked x x

  • And thankyou for the much needed hug

  • Yikes, sounds like you've had a right busy spell there.  Sorry you're missing your old team and support network, that must make it all harder, hopefully you'll make friends very quickly with your new team.

    Awwww snow.  I miss snow :cry:  Now I'm jealous of you.  Still, while being late is somewhat of a crime these days, it is going to happen sometimes and for genuine reasons.  His job is not to assume anything about why you were late and just put you at ease, but he's human I guess!

    Different sets of lymph nodes filter lymph fluid from different parts of the body and if yours is what they call a supraclavicular lymph node then it is a key lymph node for some of the organs in the lower half of our torso.  I currently have two supraclavicular, two infraclavicular, one internal mammary chain, all on the left hand side, and two axillary on the right hand side.

    Hopefully the fact it is just one means it's a red herring and something else is going on, maybe related to the fact you've had a lump there for so long anyway.  Not that you should worry about that, I've had two lumps in my neck for over 20 years now that are lymph nodes that swelled up with an infection or virus and just never went down again.

    And sorry, I missed the birthday bit (anaesthetic brain still) happy joining the 40s club :-)

    LJx

  • Snow has now turned to ice - it's.overrated

    Thanks for the replies - I'm feeling better for letting it all out! :)Husband is a bury his head in the sand kind of guy so hasn't really been much use (his mum had cancer so any mention of the c word and he shuts down)

    Just wish they'd put me out of my misery - I've found out this week that I'm really not as patient as I thought I was! x x

  • insufficient sample! 

    Took the afternoon off work too!

    Got to wait now for them to send me an appt for a core biopsy and my follow up is booked for the 19th Feb. If that doesn't work then he wants to take it out. Fed up of waiting now - just need to know one way or the other

    The receptionist made me wait while she went and checked what the consultant had booked and I heard her discussing mri so goodness knows what I've been booked in for

  • Awe what a pain. Glad they're doing something and checking it. I showed the node to my dr she didn't seem concerned. I have very reactive nodes, I can feel several at any given time. My collarbone one apparently part of my node system, whatever that means!!!

    Good luck :)