Diagnosis Pathway - Probably Being Silly!

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well.

I'm sorry to post in here but just needed a vent, as I'm literally going round in circles.

So, about 5 years ago I was referred to ENT by my dentist for a small lump in my mouth. Attended the appointment, a whole 2-5 minutes later after a terrible inspection (he couldn't feel it), I was turned away saying "it's probably a blocked salivary gland". Feeling embarrassed and like a waste of time and space, I wrote it off, buried it and forgot all about it.

Fast forward to November 2022, I mention the lump in my mouth again and the presence of a neck lump. The dentist urgently refers me this time to ENT. I attend the appointment for the doctor to tell me "there are no lumps". My jaw hit the floor, I mean I can feel this lump precisely and can get my tongue underneath it. Seeing my concern, he referred my for an urgent ultrasound. I hear nothing for weeks, after a couple of chasers, I was informed this was downgraded to routine.

Concerned, my mother arranged for a private ultrasound, this indeed confirmed the presence of an enlarged lymph node (38mm x 7mm), no sinister features seen and consistent with a reactive lymph node. Recommendation to share with GP and have full blood count test done.

I had an early access appointment with a different GP, terrible, just wanted me out and told me that there were not enough red flags to refer me but to have bloods done.

GP appointment comes around at last, much better very thorough, blood tests not of concern. Referred for chest x-ray and further bloods, all clear (phew!)

Another GP appointment to follow up discussions. Appreciated concerns, but again not enough "red flags", but he sought the advice of a hematologist. 

That brings us up to today, where hematology recommend a referral to ENT. GP surgery sent the ultrasound report and hematology guidance for their review on Tuesday, but as yet no news, so probably a routine appointment in another 6 months time or something crazy.

I just feel that other than my GP (and maybe whoever he spoke to in hematology) I'm not being taken seriously. I have the evidence of the lymph node, I have a lump in my mouth, both of which have persisted and gone nowhere, what else do I need to have further testing done? Do I need to be flat out on the floor?

I have no idea what it is, my concerns are that it could be some form of mouth cancer or even a lymphoma of some kind. You can't help but let your mind wonder.

The lump is admittingly difficult to feel (if you're not me). It's located on the inner wall of my lower gums, but not quite the floor of my mouth as I can get my tongue underneath it. So whoever is assessing really has to hook their finger up over the teeth and round to press on it.

God only knows where I go from here, I just want answers as I know all these lumps and bumps aren't "normal". No infections during this time, and the neck lumps remain the same, the mouth lump has certainly grown over the 5 years.

Anyway, that's my vent over, maybe someone has had a similar experience?

All the best