Lump on neck

I saw my GP about a lump in my neck on Tuesday (07/01) thinking it would be nothing and he said he wanted it investigating, saying it could just be an infection, but mentioned lymphoma as well, due to my age and location of the lump.

He wanted me to get bloods done and if abnormal to have them repeated in 2 weeks and if abnormal again would refer me for further investigations (scans etc.) 

I managed to get in for bloods yesterday (09/10) (v. quick for my GP practice) had them done at lunchtime and told the results would be back Tuesday, if anything came up they needed to talk to me about urgently they would call, otherwise if I don't hear anything then to call myself on Tuesday but more than likely all ok.

Tried not to worry too much, but got a call from my Doctor today, not even 24 hours later to say results are back and abnormal, liver functions are off, blood count, platelets and many other things too.

He wants me to have more bloods done, but said he wanted them done sooner than 2 weeks. He was trying to look on the positive side and said it could be an infection, although definitely not bacterial, so is rerunning full blood count and testing for Epstein Barr (mono), toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus, just incase (although I've had no symptoms of any).

Got another appointment pretty quickly and having more done on 16/01.

Stupidly Googled all the test results that came back abnormal and it constantly comes up saying cancer, lymphoma etc. I know I shouldn't worry until I have the next lot of results back and need to stop googling! 

Has anyone had a similar experience and it turned out to just be a virus, or if not, how quickly did you get answers/a diagnosis!? 

Trying my best to remain optimistic :confused:

Parents
  • Just a quick update, incase anyone stumbles across this thread.. 

    Had my second lots of blood done, white cell count had increased, blood smear indicated possible infection and it was negative for the three viruses they were testing for.

    Dr was convinced it was a virus and asked me if I had any other symptoms, I explained I'd been having night sweats, exhausted all the time and lost weight, unintentionally. I also said my neck felt swollen around my collar bone, he had a feel and said it felt like the nodes in there were enlarged, which he hadn't noticed the first time round.

    He said he would refer me to haematology to do further bloods and tests for viruses and for an ultrasound on my neck, as he had exhausted all tests he could do and hopefully the haematologist would be able to get to the bottom of it.

    The next day he called and asked me to get down for a chest X-ray ASAP, managed to get in that afternoon and I was told the results would take 3 weeks to get back to the GP. 

    The following morning I got a call from my GP who asked me to come in and bring someone with me, as it was back, the results are abnormal.

    He explained there was a 'bulky' widening of the lymph nodes in my chest and based upon my other symptoms and age, it was looking like Hodgkin Lymphoma. I've been referred to a haematology oncologist, who I'm seeing next week.

    He did say, obviously he can't give a definite diagnosis and based on the X-ray it's either Lymphoma, or Sarcoidosis, but it is being treat as Lymphoma until proven otherwise. 

     

  • Hello MLH93

    I'm sorry to hear that you've been given this news by your GP. I'm sure that it's feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment but hopefully the Haematologist will be able to give you some firmer answers when you see them in the week. 

    If you think it would be helpful to speak to one of our nurses ahead of your appointment then please do give our team of nurses a call. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

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  • Hello MLH93

    I'm sorry to hear that you've been given this news by your GP. I'm sure that it's feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment but hopefully the Haematologist will be able to give you some firmer answers when you see them in the week. 

    If you think it would be helpful to speak to one of our nurses ahead of your appointment then please do give our team of nurses a call. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Keep in touch and let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

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