Hi there,
My first post on here.
So last Tuesday I found a lump on the side of my neck. It’s around 2 inches below the bottom of my left ear and around 1cm-2cm back from the front of the ear.
I saw a GP the following day. GP has effectively ruled out infection, although she did say there still could be an infection somewhere in my body but I don’t have any other symptoms whatsoever. GP said lump is 3cm. She didn’t tell me much more and to be honest I totally forgot to ask any questions.
GP referred me to an ENT under the 2 week pathway. However, I am lucky in that I have private medical insurance with work and have managed to secure an appointment with a consultant next Thursday. I have of course cancelled the NHS referral.
So, I have no obvious other symptoms such as loosing weight, night sweats etc. However, when I have discussed any possible symptoms with the hubby the only things we can think of is that now and again I seem to choke on air! What I mean by this is that I choke as if I have swallowed food down the wrong way when I’m not eating anything. I could just be sitting watching TV and I will suddenly choke a bit. It only happens for a few seconds and it does not happen very often. Maybe 2-3 times a month. The only other thing I seem to do, and again this is not very often, is I suddenly take a sharp intake of breath. I have no control of this, I don’t know it is about to happen, it just literally comes out of the blue. This happens probably 1-2 times a month. This has been happening for probably a year.
I appreciate that the lump could be nothing at all. I think it is a swollen lymph node and of course we need to get to the bottom of why it is swollen.
I lost my dad last year to oesophagus cancer. He died 6 days after diagnoses. My mum has Barrett’s Oesophagus.
I am very concerned I have some sort of cancer. I know I need to wait but am finding it difficult.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who had a similar lump who have then gone onto get a cancer diagnosis. What I would like know is, other than the lump and the more common symptoms such as night sweats and weight loss, did any of you have no other symptoms whatsoever or have any of you had the strange other symptoms I have had?
Gosh, this is a long post. Sorry about that.
Wishing you all well.
(forgot to say that the lump feels hard but not rock solid and I can move it up and down and it is totally painless)
Hi catsandtrees and welcome to the Online Community but I am sorry to hear about the concerns you are having.
It’s good that you will be seen next Thursday, lumps and bumps on the neck area can be cased by many things and it’s just not possible for anyone on the community to give any informed advice as there are so many reasons for this….. and a lot have nothing to do with cancer.
I have lived with and been treated for an incurable blood cancer for over 23 years and I am now over 7 years out from my last treatment and in remission…… and for the past 7 years I have had a lump much the same as you and it’s not a thing sinister.
I do hope you get answers soon but our Support Line teams are available 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on freephone 0808 808 00 00, email or live webchat where you will find one of team there to help you out. We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.
Hi Thehighlander,
I’m not really after advice, just wondered about people’s symptoms other than the lump on a neck. But yes, will have to wait until next week.
I read you cancer story yesterday. I was wowed by it to be honest. What an achievement. 
Back in 1999 apart from a small developing rash on my back I had no symptoms, my rash continued to develop and it took 14 years before any lumps and bumps appeared.
I am sure that you have searched lots online and as you most likely know that there can be lots of symptoms that can point to various cancers but also to other health conditions and honestly it’s best not to speculate but look for you to get answers soon.
This diagnosis lark can be ever so complicated and even although my consultant was 99% sure as to what I had it took him a year and 6 biopsies to get the pathology to prove my diagnosis.
Let’s look for this to have a simple answer and straightforward fix.
Hi catsandtrees sorry you have been worried like this but it's good you have a quick appointment. Waiting is absolutely awful but remember that 90% of referrals are NOT cancer. Best of luck
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
