Teenager Told Neck Lump Was Tonsillitis, Later Diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer

A 13-year-old boy who was initially told that a lump in his neck was due to tonsillitis was later diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, a type o...

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

teenager told neck lump was tonsillitis, later diagnosed with stage 4 hodgkin lymphoma cancer

A 13-year-old British boy was diagnosed with stage four cancer after a lump in his neck was initially mistaken for tonsillitis. Tyler Hemming said he first noticed a small lump in his neck, which doctors said was due to a tonsillitis infection he had earlier in the year. However, after the teenager’s mother insisted on further tests, scans taken nearly six months later revealed Tyler had Stage Four Hodgkin Lymphoma. The cancer had spread to various parts of his body, including his nose, throat, neck, collarbone, armpit, heart, spleen, abdomen, and shoulder blade. Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system that is characterized by the presence of abnormal Reed-Sternberg cells. Tyler’s family is now trying to fulfill his dreams of visiting

places he has never been to. He will soon be flying off to Thailand for a fishing trip once he completes his intense cancer treatment. "At the moment it's, 'oh you've got to go to hospital for chemotherapy',” his mother Charlotte told Surrey Live. “But he's had to be wrapped in cotton wool for the past six weeks as he's had bad chest infections, COVID-19, and just has to spend more and more time in hospital,” she added. Before his life-changing diagnosis, Typer had competed in the United States for a fortnight with his cheer academy team at the youth summit for cheerleading. “It wasn't a definitive answer: the only side effect he had was a lump, that's it - there were no other signs,” his mother recalled.

Tyler’s treatment is taking a toll on his health

According to his mother, ever since the treatment began, Tyler's immune system has become extremely compromised. He has to spend up to three weeks of every month in the hospital, frequently fighting infections and high fevers. The foods he once enjoyed now make him feel sick, and he's come to terms with losing his hair and strength. Doctors treating Tyler say the treatment is making headway, with some areas showing no activity, but the cancer remains active in other parts.

What is Hodgkin lymphoma?

Once known as Hodgkin disease, this is a group of blood cancers that develop in your lymphatic system. It is one of the two main types of lymphoma, with the other type being non-Hodgkin lymphoma. According to experts, these cancers affect important white blood cells in your immune system known as lymphocytes. Doctors say Hodgkin lymphomas form when genes inside B lymphocytes mutate, or change. Hodgkin lymphomas typically start in the lymph nodes in your neck or chest. They may also develop in groups of lymph nodes under your arms or in your groin, belly, or pelvis.