I have had about 4-5 pea lumps in my neck / around my neck for about 8 months after I had glandular fever 8 months ago. I had blood work, thyroid checks, went for an ultrasound they said they look like normal lymph nodes that are overactive. I was still worried and saw a specialist ENT who also said he thinks they are okay and too small to biopsy.
I have not relaxed since as i still have the lumps and all over social media I see posts regarding symptoms ect and I’m just lost.
Is it true they can be too small to biopsy?
Any advice is appreciated because I am lost and scared and would rather know what’s happening so I can start whatever treatment I may need.
Hi Lara.deb and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a very rare, incurable but treatable type of Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma ……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare type of aggressive Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma was then presenting so I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
From what I have been told by my consultant....... if someone is not presenting with a few of the main Lymphoma Symptoms they will tend not to do a biopsy until there is a 2 to 3 cm lymph node to biopsy.
The Diagnosis of Lymphoma is not straightforward. There are over 60 types and sub-types of Lymphoma and these can be diagnosed due to presenting with many of the symptoms, or on the back of being investigated for another health issue...... or in my case because I had a small developing rash on my back but had no other symptoms...... and even then, it took a full year and 6 biopsies to get the science to prove that I had Lymphoma..... and that was with my consultant being 99% sure as to what I had.
The important thing is that over the 8 months these pea size lumps are still pea sized...... normally if you were presenting with Lymphoma these would be growing over this amount of time...... when my neck lymph-node started to grow (14 years after my first diagnosis) it went from a pea size lump to the size of a brick with in a few months!!!!!
The fact that you have been seen by ENT and not advised for a follow up....... you have been through one of the initial Lymphoma screening steps and this has to been seen as encouraging.
Lymphoma Action (the main UK Lymphoma Specific Charity) have a Lymphoma helpline on 0808 808 5555 open every week day from 10 till 3. This is a safe place to talk this through and get support.
Always around to chat.
