Yes so normally you have an appointment at the hospital with ENT and then from there a biopsy which will confirm whether the cells in the lump are canercous or not- I think it is normal to have a gap between appointments.  (I also had an ultra sound but I'm not sure if that's a common thing- long explanation as to why). You have blood tests too. 
The above takes around about 2 weeks I think but I may be wrong. I was going away at the time and not willing to come back for hospital appointments (I didn't realise how serious it was at the time) so mine got done literally within about 4 days but that's not normal procedure. 
 

If it is cancer then you'll have a PET scan done which is how they can tell what stage it is. So there tends to be another gap between finding out you have cancer and then finding out what stage it is. I think mine was about 2-3 weeks but the hospital were pretty sure it was stage 1 because I only had 1 lump and no symptoms. I'm not sure if they'd have suspected a worser stage if it would've been quicker?- not sure. 
 

I understand you're worried that it may be bad because it has been left so long but with hodgkins/ non hodgkins it is very treatable. Unlike some cancers, if they're late stage it's unlikely they can be cleared completely, with this kind of cancer it's more possible. I had stage 3 advanced and have been cancer free for nearly a year now. 
 

It's not a problem. I'll keep an eye on my emails so we can chat. 
 

Hello,

thank you so so much for responding. That information was very helpful. During the ENT appointment, will they have some sort of idea if it is cancerous or not? I assume they don't give a difinitive answer until the biopsy but I'm hoping they will tell us on Tuesday as I hate the waiting. 
 

im so glad that you are cancer free now! You are an inspiration and if my boyfriend does have it, I know there is hope. I just feel awful at the moment as we don't know what it is but the doctor just said suspected cancer. With his symptoms I just assumed it was lymphoma after I googled it. Large Lump on neck, swollen lympnodes in his groin (not sure if he has them in his armpits), night sweats and weight loss.  I will keep you updated on Tuesday as it is nice to talk to someone who has been through it. 
 

thank you so much again x

I didn't have any idea until after my ENT appointment it 'could' be cancer. It was never mentioned at my doctors appointment. 
 

But no, the consultant who done by ENT appointment didn't give any kind of idea to whether it definitely was or wasn't. Just said it could be and I would need further tests. I don't think they like to say until they know for sure. 
 

Ahh I'm pleased you're feeling a bit more positive. They are all symptoms and I found when I looked up what a lump on the neck could be (when I found mine) it wasn't coming up with much else. 
 

Youre welcome. Speak soon x 

That's great. Thank you so much for all of your help. I really really appreciate it! 
 

I will keep you posted about with ENT etc. It's lovely having someone to talk to about it. 
 

thank you so much! X 

Thanks so much for sharing your story and very glad you have fully recovered. Can I ask you a question? I am 16 years old and have discovered a lump in my neck on the left side just below my ear and it appeared quite suddenly. It was originally like a golf ball and didn't think much of it... it seems to have reduced a little but I am having some tests next week and I am now worried... did your lump appear suddenly as well or did you notice it growing progressively? I'm otherwise healthy. Thanks for your help.

Not a problem. I know how grateful I was to have people to talk to about it all. 
Sorry to hear your news. 
I would say your lump is also on your gland as they run from near your ears downwards but I wouldn't know for sure. Maybe have a look on google at a diagram? 
Mine was left side of my neck, just above my collar bone. It's was big enough to be able to see just looking at me (didn't have to feel to know it was there) but there wasn't any changes in size. It was also very tender which isn't common but they think it may have been sitting on a nerve. 
I too didn't have any obvious symptoms (which the hospital said is very uncommon for stage 3) however looking back I was always very tired and always seemed to be ill like tonsillitis/ colds/ flu etc. My mum use to joke I was her 'sickly child' haha. 
Sorry I can't help more with where you lump is or the fact it's changing size. I hope your tests go well. 

Thanks for your quick reply! Yes my lump is visible too.... I am quite aware of it now that I'm about to get a lot of tests... but did your lump appear suddenly? I just woke up last week and realised I had a large lump which had seemed to grow overnight! Did yours also appear suddenly? It's definitely a swollen gland...

Hi really informative responses good to find this site.

My lunp seemed to appear overnight also,  blood tests from doctor didn't show infection or anything but 2 weeks later its getting bigger and now pushing on neck. Saw throat nose ear specialits so now a 2 week wait for scan. Feel fine though apart I think its pushing a bit on a nerve so neck a bit tense.

Hi Tone444 and all

i found some much needed support when I was stressed and I should update you that my bump totally disappeared two weeks after I carried all the tests! Blood test didn't show any infection and the scan was normal... doctor said 99.99% it's not cancer but recommended doing a biopsy to be totally sure if the bump didn't disappear - but it did! Thanks everyone for your support at the time.

I'm pleased you found the posts helpful! 
 

Fantastic news. I hope everything stays as it currently is. Thank you for updating us! 
 

All the best