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Mum found a lump on her neck - really worried.

BumbleBee342
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Hi all, my mum found a lump in her neck on the side that's quite large. It seems to have come up overnight and she was feeling fine before. It's hard and doesn't move and is painful when she swallows/moves her head. She also noticed her voice has been a bit more croaky/hoarse since. Does anyone have any experience of this? I've been worried sick about it and I'm struggling not to think of the worst possible thing it could be and overthinking it. She's had a GP appointment today and they've referred her for an urgent ultrasound and blood tests.

I've been worried sick the last few days thinking about this potentially being cancer - lymphoma specifically. I've already lost my dad in the last few years and really don't want this to be anything sinister. I keep breaking down randomly thinking about this being cancer and imagining life without her.

I just wanted some reassurance on the next steps - what could happen next after her ultrasound and blood tests depending on the results? I just want to stay calm before then but I'm really struggling.

Parents
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    Hi BumbleBee342.  Welcome to the forum.

    I'm not a doctor and I have no medical qualifications.

    The general rule about lumps is that most lumps are harmless; however, doctors are encouraged to look for the far less common dangerous lumps, and hence more people get referred for ultrasounds and tests which generally find nothing seriously wrong.

    The current state of modern medicine is that during our lives we can all expect to sent for tests for things which might possibly be cancer, but which will actually turn out to be something else. We have to accept this will happen and try to control our fears while the process is on-going (difficult though it is).

    So please try not to worry until you know for certain that there's something to worry about. I'm sure your mother is in good hands.

     

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    Hi BumbleBee342.  Welcome to the forum.

    I'm not a doctor and I have no medical qualifications.

    The general rule about lumps is that most lumps are harmless; however, doctors are encouraged to look for the far less common dangerous lumps, and hence more people get referred for ultrasounds and tests which generally find nothing seriously wrong.

    The current state of modern medicine is that during our lives we can all expect to sent for tests for things which might possibly be cancer, but which will actually turn out to be something else. We have to accept this will happen and try to control our fears while the process is on-going (difficult though it is).

    So please try not to worry until you know for certain that there's something to worry about. I'm sure your mother is in good hands.

     

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