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Lump in neck - had for about 4/5 years - scared

abby.p
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I wondered if anyone could help me. I'm 27 and I have a lump in the left side of my neck about half way down (like a jelly bean my partner describes it as). It's quite firm but does move. I've had it for at least 4/5 years. I know I really should have had it checked out a long time ago and I still haven't but I plan to. 
 

It's a combination of fear and then burying my head in the sand and then thinking, "Well I've had it years now, can't be anything bad". I know that's not a good way to look at it and that I've been very silly. 
 

I'm now worried that, if it's something serious, I've left it so long that it would be more "advanced" now. But I'm thinking of having children so I want to make sure I'm fit and well. 
 

I'm hoping it will be a swollen lymph node as I suffered with recurring bouts of tonsillitis and strep throat when younger but I did have a tonsillectomy 10 years ago at 17. And I've only had 1 or 2 throat infections since. 
 

Has anybody got similar experiences? Whether it turned out to be serious or not? Please get in touch. :) 

Abby xx

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    Hiya Abby, 

    im 18 and have had a small lump similar to yours for 4/5 years also, this was around the time I had a bad throat infection that I didn't realise that I had !! I went to the docs because of the lump and he said that it was probably due to this infection I had and had never gone down fully !! 
     

    I hope this reassures you a little bit... I've had mine checked out and still worry from time to time when I feel it after a few months

    Erin x

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    Hello Erin, 

    Thank you so much for your message. That definitely does reassure me a little bit. I'm hoping it's the same with me. I just wish I hadn't left it so long and buried my head in the sand. But I am going to get it checked out for in case.  
     

    Thank you so much for reaching out. 
     

    Abby xx

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    Hi Abby,

        My son has a soft tissue swelling on the right side of his neck. GP said it's not lymph nodes. My son reckons he's had it for 3-4 years but I noticed it last week and sent him to the GP. He now has a 2ww appointment at the head and neck clinic. GP said it looked like a soft tissue swelling. It is only visible when he turns his neck to one side.

    Thanks

    Anxiety12

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    Just for in case anybody is reading this thread now. I had the lump checked today via ultrasound. It was benign. It turns out I have lots of lumps in my neck but none are malignant thankfully. If you're reading this because you're worried about yours then please, please get it checked. Don't leave it ages like I did because you may not get so lucky. Don't bury your head in the sand like I did. If it's sinister then the sooner it's found, then better. 

    Wishing you well xxxx 

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