I can understand how worrying this is for you, and of course you're bound to be apprehensive. I am not a doctor myself, but I have personally had several referrals for suspected cancer so I do have some general experience of how one gets treated.
First of all, most of these referrals turn out NOT to be cancer, but something else. Most lumps turn out NOT to be cancer, too, so please don't assume that your child has anything seriously wrong.
Secondly, in my experience everyone is kind and caring; they understand the stress you'll be under, and within the limitations of working in a hard-pressed service, they'll try to make it as easy as they can, and answer all your questions.
I can't speak from personal experience of a paediatric referral, but I expect that the consultant will discuss with you your child's medical history, and then will examine the lump with an ultrasound scanner. This is completely painless, but it does require the use of a cold gel. It is quite possible that this scan will provide an answer, but don't be too surprised or worried if the consultant also asks for a biopsy. This will require taking some cells using a very fine needle. I've not had it myself, but it shouldn't be too painful, and the doctor or nurse doing it will be well aware of your child's feelings. The consultant may also decide that a further scan such as MRI or CT is required. Again, don't panic because these scans are routinely given as part of a standard protocol.
Now for some general guidance. Many people try to read too much into the silences or "funny looks" of the doctors and nurses, or into the timing of results. Please don't do this. In my experience (and that of many others here on this forum), when someone is silent or making a "funny look" it's because they're concentrating on the task in hand. Often this requires looking for quite subtle changes on an ultrasound and they don't want to miss them. If your child needs a CT or MRI, don't bother asking the operator what they saw because they can't tell you. The operator's job is to get the best possible images, but they're not qualified to interpret what they see. So they say nothing. Don't be frightened by this.
Also, don't read too much into the timing of results, or how they're given to you. It is common practice to give the news, good or bad, in a face to face consultation. Contrary to what you might expect, it's unusual to get given good news in advance. Also, it is common to be told to expect news in one way, but for that to be changed. Maybe someone makes an off hand comment that the results should come through in a couple of weeks and you'll get a letter, but you get called for an appointment. Well that happens all the time - and it doesn't automatically mean bad news.
That's all I can think of to say for now. Good luck for tomorrow. Try not to worry too much.
Wow thank you so much for taking the time to give me such a great response. I know 9/10 it isn’t cancer so that’s definitely reassuring and I’m kind of trying to not worry until I’m given a reason too however it doesn’t stop it being in the back of my mind as you can imagine.
I definitely won’t read too much into things like you said.
Thank you so much I will update tomorrow after the appointment xxx
We have had his appointment, he was sent for more bloods, a chest x Ray and a tummy x Ray should know results of them by tomorrow. Just waiting game now, consultant put another urgent referral through to ultrasound so should have appointment soon
Par for the course, I'm afraid. It's very common to put the patient through a battery of tests to gather as much information as possible, and try to eliminate possible problems. Good luck for tomorrow.
