Hi there. So sorry to hear about your partner, I know you must be really worried, but try not to jump ahead.

The fact that they have done an ultrasound and they think it's an infection on the basis of that is very reassuring. 

If the swelling was caused by something like lymphoma, it would have a very different appearance on ultrasound to a swelling caused by infection. You can see the difference in the images - and if you know what you are looking for, which of course they do, it's not difficult to tell one from the other. 

Please rest assured that it's fairly unlikely to be lymphoma if the scan suggests infection. The mri will provide a lot more clarity, but hopefully it will just confirm what's already suspected. Also lumps caused by lymphoma are generally not painful. So that is a good sign, in that sense, though I would hope that he has been given some antibiotics in order to deal with the infection? 

I hope this helps a bit. Let us know how you get on, if you can. 

Best wishes, 

AK 

Thankyou so much for your response it really helps. Nobody can be certain but it the person doing the ultrasound scan saw it was a problem with the lymp nodes would they just say infection so as not to worry us or would they say they can see a swollen lymph node? 

His stomach is swollen and has itching. Although the lump doesn't hurt the surrounding area of the shoulder does hurt. 

I keep googling which I know is the worst but cant help it.

Hiya, no they don't really have to say anything, so it's very unlikely that they would tell you something that wasn't the case. They might give you limited information, as they have done, but it wouldn't be false just to calm you down or something. Also, lymph nodes do swell in response to infection, but there are other things they can generally see, like edema and so on that can help to establish that there's an infective cause. Lymph nodes that are malignant look different from infective ones. 

Try to keep in mind that there are a lot more common reasons for all the other symptoms than lymphoma, and hopefully they will all be explained. 

I know I can't reassure you completely but if they said it's an infection, I think that's pretty likely to be what they saw x

Thankyou for responding it really helps - hopefully not to long before MRI scan then will know for certain. Will keep you updated.

The MRI referral has come through but it's not for a month. Is this usual or if the ultrasound thought it was cancer would the MRI come through more quickly?

Hiya,

Yes, I think if it is thought likely to be cancer, or suspicious for cancer, it will be done within two weeks. So I would take that as a good sign.

I know the waiting is difficult but it does sound as though they are not too concerned.

Thank you for answering me - it's just the anxiety is really bad!

I know, don't feel bad about that, a lot of us can totally relate! x x

I also suffer from OCD so thought really manifest with me and I know I am not helping by googling so much. 

It can help when you find reassurance. The difficulty is in trying to understand what the information actually means, especially when it's not very specific or if it's written in the sort of language they use for scientific papers.

I've got very used to interpreting it but I'm sure I still misunderstand a lot of stuff.

I hope you can manage to stay distracted for the next few weeks; keep an eye on the swelling and you might find it subsides in any case, if your partner is on medication for what they think is the infection.

Best wishes and keep us informed! x x