Lump on side of neck

[neil74]

I have a small lump on my neck, it is on the right side about halfway up. It is quite small, probably not much bigger than a pea and it feels like it is located on the neck muscle (of course I suppose it could be behind it and pushing the muscle, I am not qualified to say but I don’t think so).  I have played sport before and it feels to me exactly like the kind of scar tissue you can get after a pulled muscle.  

I have over recent years ‘ricked’ my neck more than once which could point to it being scar tissue however I honestly cannot remember what side I did this on.  I have also lost some weight recently (2-3 stone which planned so it was not unexpected) so it is possible this has been there for years but has been covered in ‘padding’ and not as easy to feel.    I went to the doctors with it about 6 weeks ago and they were not concerned however whilst I am maybe being unfair the doctor was a newly qualified one and did not fill me with total confidence, nethertheless I took the advice and other than make a note to keep an eye on it have not given it another thought until the last day or 2.  I felt it again, I do not think it has changed in size but it is definitely there and after a few minutes of prodding it I noticed later that the my right ear and right gland area around my throat felt a little sore, nothing major but probably no coincidence and I wondered if it had been irritated by me poking around?

So it is worrying me again, I have recently moved house and have just registered with a new GP but it will be a week to 10 days before I can see a doctor.

Advice appreciated.

[neil74]

Thanks, the weight loss was deliberate, I totally changed my diet and started exercising 4-5 times a week.

I guess I would not still be worried if my doctor said 'I'm not concerned because its just a X,Y or Z' but they gave no explanation as to what they thought it was and just said they were not worried.  I suppose I am thinking that they don't really know but as it is small are not worried YET.

Thanks again.

[Mochadelicious]

You are very welcome.  I'm not sure what the conversion of stones to pounds is, but I can tell you that weight loss due to cancer is usually pretty significant (10% or more in a 6 month time period).  If you experience that, or persistant fevers or night sweats, than you should definately see your doctor again (and especially if your lump doesn't go away).  

I hope the ultrasound can give you more answers and help put your mind at ease.

[neil74]

I have decided to have the ultrasound to put my mind at rest.  It is bothering, probably irrationally but it is nonetheless.

I had lost 3 stone at the point of the first doctors visit and another stone on top of that for the visit this week  (I have gone from 15.5 stone to 11.5 stone and am finished now I think), so as I said maybe it is has been there a long time and is just a far more obvious now I am thinner.

Both doctors said it was not a lymph node which is positive but there is still a lump and I guess any unexplained lump is a worry.  No other symptoms though.

Thanks again

[neil74]

Thank you.

The ear ache has got worse so I guess I was coming down with something.

My old GP agreed to me see a (different) doctor 1 last time so I went in today.  He said it was not a gland and was not concerned, he said that if I was still worried that he refer me for an ultrasound to put my mind at rest,

[Mochadelicious]

Most doctors don't get too concerned over a small lump unless there are other sympoms you are experiencing that would indicate something more serious.  Pain is not usually associated with malignant lumps and your earache makes me think you maybe are fighting an infection, which can make your lymph nodes swell.  

Keep an eye on it and if it's still there by the time you go see your new GP, you might show it to them.  Sometimes swollen nodes from previous infections can stay swollen and never completely go away.  

[neil74]

The sore throat turned into an ear ache as the day went on, so maybe I was coming down with something and that is why I felt it again?  

Who knows? still worried and hoping to get a doctors appointment ASAP.