Lump in Neck

[Cmitchell]

Hi Folks

My mother found a lump in her neck about 18 months ago.  Her dentist (yes dentist!) told her to get it checked out.  She saw a specialist etc and she recently had an MRI scan.  Then she went for the results.  When the specialist sat her close to him, took a deep breath and then said it is NOT CANCER, she was so overcome with emotion, crying etc that she didn't find out what it actually is.

The lump is attached to her carotid artery. Have you had /Do you know anyone with anything similar? If it's not cancer, then what is it? Is it likely to get bigger and bigger and bigger?  Could it eventually cause a problem with blood flow? Might she need it removing even though it's not cancer?

Many thanks in advance for your advice and thoughts.
Kindest regards
Mitchell

[Gabrielle001]

I�m not saying it�s a definite but it could be ganglia. My auntie has one on the bottom of her neck and it causes her no problem. If you�re still unsure I would get a second opinion.

[spammylou]

it sounds like a gland. One of mine is slightly enlarged and always has been. Not worried at all about it, my son has one too!!

[mrs.pudding]

Ring the hospital and ask to speak to the specialist's secretary.  Explain that your mother failed to ask for a full diagnosis of the problem and ask if the consultant would write to her to tell her what it is.  Or, go to the doctor.  The consultant should have written to him to tell him what is going on.  Either way, she should be able to get an answer to her questions.

Good Luck.

[flaming]

Quite right,  mrs.pudding.  A letter to the GPshould have arrived within 10 days of her visit to the specalist.  They still write to the GP if its an NHS matter.

[jen012]

I think I have the same thing! But people who I get to feel it say that they just think it is a swollen gland but it is ALWAYS the same so i don't think it is just swollen!