Went to GP a month ago as I found a swelling at base of neck, same side as BC lumpectomy last year. GP seemed very worried, sent me to hospital for ultrasound, which showed supraclavicular gland swollen, plus some other glands on other side. They suggested a biopsy and/or PET scan and I said I would think about it over the w/e.
But that night went down with high fever, which lasted over a week, was in a right mess, more swollen glands (though the original big one went back to normal), plus other symptoms, which when I finally made it out of bed to see my GP 2 weeks later, convinced him that it’s a glandular infection (such as glandular fever) which apparently can make the glands swell for months.
But now I have a new lump for past week, on the opposite side to the first (BC side). It is bigger than the first one, and my other glands are still slightly lumpy but much smaller. I’m convinced it’s growing, and although my GP (who seems a very good one) has re-checked it and still thinks it’s down to the virus, I just can’t stop myself worrying.
Don’t want to get a biopsy that might aggravate the infection (I’m still feeling really exhausted and wiped out) unless absolutely necessary - but I feel like I’m going crazy!
Any similar experiences/advice would be appreciated…? Thanks
If you’re still at all concerened about the lump then I’d go back to my GP & asked to be referred. Or contact your BCN if you still have one, as she might be able to advise you better / get you seen more quickly.
I posted on this thread yesterday about the same kind of thing -
I agree with Hayz, if you are concerned, please go and get it checked. If you don’t like the idea of biopsy, you can always ask for scans. Better safe than sorry.
You’ll find my name on the 2nd link Hayz referred to. Oh how I wish I insisted on having scans the first time round. I wish I listened to my inner feelings rather than my onc.
Just another thought, can antibiotics help with infections?
Thanks so much for your replies m1yu & Hayz, and for the links which I have checked out!
Maybe I will give it a week or two and hope my doc is right (if I can stay sane that long!) Just been for accupuncture which has calmed me down a little… shame I can’t afford it every day! But if it gets any bigger I’ll ask for an investigation. Can they diagnose it with Fine Needle Biopsy or will it be more invasive?
Re antibiotics, doc seems very sure I have a virus in any case (cancer or not!), because of the fever and other symptoms I’ve had, so wouldn’t respond to antibiotics. Also I’ve read that if you take them while suffering from EBV/Glandular fever you can have a nasty reaction - so need to be careful!
Has anyone had glandular fever/infections in the past and had lumps near the collarbone/base of neck?
Last year my onco spotted some swollen glands on my neck, in the other site of my original b.c. I was terrified, specially, when a few months later they glands were still swollen. Both times I had a scann that did not show any abnormalities. Every case is different, but I would like to give you some piace of mind with my experience. It seems that glands are funny things that get swollen quite easily. What I believe is important is to have a good GP or oncologist who is ready and eager to treat your concerns, specially whit a history like us, it is always better to stay in the safest side and to check everything.
Thanks happynipple - glad it turned out as nothing!
Do you know what glands they were? Docs seem particularly concerned about the supraclavicular glands (bottom of neck by collarbone) as I think recurrences are more likely here - though as mine says, there are still other reasons they can be swollen.
They where on my collar bone, bottom of the neck, on the left site, (my original bc was on the other site), they were very little and they moved easily.
Just got back from the hospital, they decided to take a stackload of blood-tests as a first step, I go back next week and depending on the results may have ultrasound/biopsy etc… am still nervous…
Thanks! Yes actually it was touch and go whether yesterday’s appointment went ahead, due to the doc being stuck in Malta! But he made it.
He felt all round my collarbone, said that loads of the supraclavicular glands are swollen, both sides! but still seemed to think it was possibly due to the virus, but that I did the right thing by getting them checked out. So still waiting for those results…
Am keeping everything crossed for both of us! Keep me posted x
I have zero expertise on this, but wondered whether if so many glands are swollen so quickly it would tend to suggest infection rather than anything sinister. I certainly hope so. Fingers crossed for you.
Yes that is what I’m hoping, doc said he would be more worried if it was just an isolated swollen gland, so am praying that it is viral.
It’s just that there is one lump much bigger and harder than the others which doesn’t seem to go up and down like the rest - I keep worrying it’s the cancer being opportunistic and grabbing me while my immune system is shattered!
Anyway we shall see next week… wishing you all the best too!
Hi ScaryFox
I’ll keep everything crossed for you too. My 2 week wait to see doc about lump in my lymph node (supraclavicular) has turned into the 3 week wait, in large part due to an error on my GP’s part not sending through a correct form. Am due to get it checked out next Tuesday afternoon. Hope we will both be fine. Will keep you updated.
Twinmummy x
Hi all. I too am waiting for results of a supraclavicular node biopsy which I will get Friday!! I am 6 years post diagnosis and had the audacity to start feeling almost normal!! Felt a swelling above clavicle and being a nurse knew I ought to get it checked out. There was only one isolates node detectable on ultrasound and only 0.5cm but they still did biopsy! I had grade 2 stage 2 with 4/12 nodes. I was 36 at the time. I sometimes feel positive and other times terrified! Although it’s small it is isolated and causing a swelling so I really don’t know what else it could be! Anyone else had similar experience?
Hopefully since it’s just one wee node it’ll just be a reactive node or something innocent.
I had 2 nodes on my infected side & now have one on the opposite side too. Still not been biopsied because of the location, but because of my pathology & the fact there are more than 1 they’re convinced it’s cancer…as am I.
Hope u dont mind me asking, why can’t they biopsy, are they located too near a vein/artery? I’m wondering what they do if there is a tumour, can neck lymph nodes be removed with surgery like armpit ones? I do know I can’t be cured, if it is cancer, as being on the opposite side it would mean stage 4 bc.
I found my lumpy bits 2 days into rads & I was having the area treated anyway. I was given a CT scan & 5 extra boosters & this is to be followed up by another scan 5 weeks after the end of treatment.
As I was already having the treatment which would be the norm for a regional recurrance my surgeon was dead against a Biopsy. The nodes lie directly infront of the main artery in your neck, so obviously not the easiest to get a needle in! Should I require chemo, however, they will possibly do an ultrasound led biopsy then.
My understanding is that while a Local Recurrance can be ‘cured’ a Regional can’t. Surgery isn’t the norm as apparantly it’s a very disfiguring operation (lots of facial nerve damage) & not worthwhile. I didn’t ask anything further, coz I’m a ‘tell me the basics’ kinda person…don’t want to know too much & scare myself half to death!
I think the standard treatment path is radiotherapy first then hormone therapy (if er+. I’m not) then finally chemo if needed. I know that my next step if there is any growth or progression will be Capecitibine (sp?).
Very sad to report that the lump was biopsied and is definately cancer. They are testing it to see if it’s still triple negative, like my original BC, and I’m having a CT scan on Tues to see the extent it’s travelled. To make matters worse I have also been diagnosed with dermatomyositis, an autoimmune condition related to cancer, which is giving me a lot of muscle pain and weakness, I have been admitted to hospital and put on a load of steroids. Feeling very miserable.
Hayz - they have also mentioned capecitibine to me, though we need to get the CT results first…
Scareyfox - I am so sorry to hear that it has turned out to be cancer… I had to have a scan done on a swelling on my neck back in November 2009 and know what a scarey time it is… (with me they said the scan looked fine - although i must admit the weird swelling is still there…) I hadn’t heard of dermatomyositis before - i do hope they are managing to get that under control for you - you must feel awful that so much is happening at once… {{{hugs}}} I do hope the ct scan doesn’t show up anything else…
{{{hugs}}} I do hope the ct scan doesn’t show up anything else…