DVT and hard painless lump above collarbone

my partner is 39, he’s healthy and active and not over weight. About 3 weeks ago he got a cramp in his calf one night. The pain didn’t go away and after a few days he went to A&E where they took blood then sent him for an ultrasound, he was diagnosed with a DVT (clot in his leg) and put onto blood thinners. 2 days later he noticed a swelling just above his collarbone and was breathless so he went back t the hospital and they did an X-ray to check for a PE, the X-ray was clear and they said it’s very possible it’s a small clot in the lung and to keep up with the blood thinners, he did mention to them the swelling and pointed it out to them and they did not at all seam worried about that. A week later he had an appointment at the thrombosis clinic to discuss his blood clot and what treatment he will need, they asked him how he got a clot in the first place? He said it just happened in the middle of the night, they asked if he had been on a long haul flight? Or if he had been suffering from cancer!? He said no! But that question worried us, why would this even ask that? I didn’t understand what a DVT had to do with cancer. So two days ago he woke up and he had pain in his neck where his thyroid is, he rang the drs yesterday and made an emergency appointment. He went in and told them about this pain in his neck and the swelling above the collar bone and as they felt the swelling they said under that swelling is a hard lump! Then when they noticed he was suffering from a DVT, they asked about his other symptoms he said he’s having night sweats which has been going on for over a month and the breathlessness which we assume is caused by a small PE although it’s never been confirmed, also the blood thinning medication says one of the side effects can be breathlessness. He also keeps falling asleep. The dr was worried and has sent a referral for a CT Scan and told him to wait for the letter to come with his appointment. He came home and we were left a bit confused so decided to google his symptoms. The DVT, the lump above the collarbone, breathless, night sweats. All that keeps coming up is lymphoma! We are so worried about this. How long will it take for the scan? Is there anyway to get things moving quicker? Could it really be cancer? 

  • Hi Nikki2o19,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It sounds like you've both been going through quite a bit recently and I'm sure it has been difficult. I'm glad you and your partner have been following up and persisting to find answers. Hopefully following the CT scan you'll have some clearer answers one way or the others, which I hope will give some peace of mind and clear next steps.

    If you haven't received an appointment within the next week or two you could always phone the hospital to enquire. It's unlikely you'll be able to make things move quicker but occasionally other people's appointments are cancelled so by checking with the hospital you may be able to find out more. But these things can take several weeks.

    I'm sure this is incredibly worrying for you both but the main thing is that you're on the road to finding answers.

    If you'd like to discuss anything with our nurses, you can reach them on 0808 800 4040 - Monday-Friday, 9-5.

    Do try to stay away from Google as it often only causes further worry, and it's always best to get advice specific to your partner rather than general advice, which may also be outdated.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • hi my partner rang up his consulany for his blood clot and told them all that was happening and they were worried too about this lump and want him to go in next week so they can feel all his other lymph nodes and his stomach. But I don’t know why they want to feel his stomach but they seamed a bit worried about it. They also said with them being in the same hospital as where the scan will be done they can see on the computer it’s in red saying urgent and have told him to ring back Friday if he still hasn’t had a letter with an appointment. They also said if it was a PE causing his breathlessness then it would have eased by now, and if it was from his medication it wouldn’t be getting worse it would stay the same. And my partner says it’s getting worse. So that has made us worry even more. However I really it’s not and he just thinks maybe it is as it’s playing on his mind so much. He also keeps getting rashes that come and go which he’s never had before but again it’s possibly and hopefully linked too his new medication. Every symptom he has I pray it’s linked to his new medication. He went back to the drs today for a full blood count and to check his thyroid. Any chance a full blood count will give any answers if it was lymphoma? The stress of not knowing and waiting around is torture. 

  • my partners scan was today. He’s been told it’s a normal lymph node doing it’s job and he has a fat pad there too. And noting at all to worry about. Such a relief. He’s back tomorrow to see his consultant for his blood clots as they’ want to feel all his lymph nodes and his stomach.