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swollen lymph node for 7 months. any advice?

faithlove8
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hi, i'm 15 female, and i noticed a small lump in my neck in may. since then, it's grown, and i've noticed 2 more in my neck, and one behind my ear, but i don't have anything else unusual, except being tired a lot the last month or two.

last week, i went to the gp with my mom, and they checked it all out. he said that it was swollen lymph nodes, the first one about 3cm in diameter, and the second one 2cm in diameter. he sent me for a blood test and put me on an urgent 2 week wait referral to haematology. 

my blood test results came back okay and normal, so my referral was downgraded and now i have to wait 11 months to be seen by the specialist. 

my mom called the gp after we found out my referral had been downgraded, and he said that at first he was concerned, but now he's not concerned. 

im glad that the gp doesn't seem concerned, but i've been reading this support page (not sure what to call it) and i've read that many people have had normal blood results, but then after further tests, they found out they did have cancer.

i also have this gut feeling that something isn't right too. i'm not saying that i think it is cancer, but i just have this feeling that there's something not right and it's frustrating that i have to wait 11 months for anymore possible tests.

i don't know what to do as i know i'll be worrying until i see the specialist, and i'll be obsessedly observing the multiple lumps for the next 11 months. 

thanks for reading, if you have any advice, or have gone through anything similar, how did it turn out for you, and what would you recommend? thank you ♥️

  • Hello there

    It can be a worry to notice lumps suddenly appear in your body but there can be many causes and most won't be the result of a cancer. Often lymph nodes swell because of a current or recent infection and it can take a while for these to settle sometimes.

    You have done the right things seeing your GP who have arranged appropriate tests. It is reassuring the bloods have come back normal but I imagine having to wait so long for an ultrasound must be a worry for you.

    I suggest waiting and seeing how things are in the next couple of weeks and if you notice any changes in the size or any other symptoms to go back and see the doctor again.

    If needed they can change the urgency of the referral for you so do speak to them if you remain concerned or things worsen.

    Whilst you may wish to hear others stories remember symptoms can have many different outcomes so it is impossible to compare, I'm afraid to say.

    Take care and I wish you all the best

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    hi, thank you for your reply, what you have said has somewhat made me feel better, so thank you so much.

    since my original appointment with my gp, i have noticed another lump (slightly smaller than the others) just below the biggest one. im not sure if to mention this to my doctor or not, as i'm already on the waiting list, and i don't want to come across as one of those kids who seem to "know better" than the doctor if you understand what i'm trying to say. 

    thank you again for your reply, i appreciate it a lot and i hope all things are well. 

  • in reply to faithlove8

    Hello and thanks for your post,

    As nurse Naomi said it is encouraging that all your blood tests have been fine and it is good to hear that your GP is not too concerned.

    We can't diagnose your new lump but see how it goes and if it does get any bigger then let your GP know.

    I hope this helps.

    All the Best,

    Catherine

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