I have had a lump which has slowly grown to the size of an almond in my right groun for about a year. everytime i go to the doctors they tell me not to worry and they will forward me on to someone at the hospital. I have now been waiting for 4 months for the hospital to offer me an appointment. My leg aches (a dull ache around the groin, discomfort but not pain) and I have now felt 2 other sizeable lumps. I don’t know what to do and am beside myself with worry. Does anyone know what this might be? Should I be worried? Is my doctor too complacent?

Help!

I have had a lump which has slowly grown to the size of an almond in my right groun for about a year. everytime i go to the doctors they tell me not to worry and they will forward me on to someone at the hospital. I have now been waiting for 4 months for the hospital to offer me an appointment. My leg aches (a dull ache around the groin, discomfort but not pain) and I have now felt 2 other sizeable lumps. I don’t know what to do and am beside myself with worry. Does anyone know what this might be? Should I be worried? Is my doctor too complacent?

Help!

Can you go to a surgeon? That's what I did when I felt a pea size lump in my neck, cut to the chase I told myself. But, if your doctor suspected anything, I suspect he would have referred you to a surgeon. Just my thoughts, sometimes for your own peace of mind, you need to take the step yourself instead of waiting for a doctor's referral.

From my experience, most competent doctors pretty much can tell by touch if a lump is suspecious so I guess if you trust your doctor, that should suffice. Another thought is to call him and ask what he thinks it may be? I had a friend who had a lump in her groin - it was caused by an infected hangnail on her toe!

Lymph nodes at the groin area are normally larger and easier to feel (palpable). Even when they do enlarge, it is most often due to infectious causes. Lymphoma is uncommon at this area.

However, the fact you mentioned this node/lump has slowly increased in size over time is not a fact to be ignored. Still, it is most likely reactive process rather than lymphoma. In most malignant processes the involved nodes typically enlarge to considerable sizes in relatively short time. an "almond-size" node(s) doesn't sound exceptionally large to not fit to the common reactive nodes criterion.

On the other hand since you said it's been there for a year and claimed it continued to grow, I believe you got a sufficient reason to have it biopsied. Better safe than sorry.

I agree with nanci's post, your next step is to see a surgeon. (if you do intend to acquire a final and an accurate diagnosis).
You may insist on a biopsy even if he or she does not recommend it.

Good luck.