Lymph Node Confusion - Please Help

[turtle221]

Hi.  I am a 29 year old female.  Non-smoker, non-drinker, average weight.  I have had this lymph node in the left side of my neck for as long as I can remember.  There is a smaller, softer one just below it which is movable and about the size of a pea.  The larger one is a little less than 1.5 cm. It does not hurt and it moves freely.  It is not soft and squishy, but it is not rock hard either.  Two years ago I was evaluated by an ENT for this node.  He examined me and thought it was ok but said I could go for a CT scan if I wanted.  I went for the scan and the report said that I had some top normal cervical chain nodes on the left side.  It said that there was not definate lymphademea or mass. The ENT said that he did not see any problems and he did not suspect cancer.  I still have this node.  It has not changed since my visit with the ENT.  

Recently, I have communicated with a few forum members and I began to wonder if I should get the node checked again since I still have it.  I did not want to unecessarily run to the doc because I have had other health issues over the last few years and I am tired of docs, stress, scans and unecessary radiation from the scans.  Also, as I have already had this node examined, I don't want to put myself through all of that again for nothing.  

I have no other symptoms except, once in a great while I will sweat at night but when I do it is during the day or two before my monthly cycle.  Also, almost every time I did sweat at night so did my husband, so I think the room may have been just warm.  The sweat was never drenching or constant.  It may happen before a montly cycle once or twice every two or three months.  

Also, as a teenager, I had tonsilitis frequently for about 3 years.  Every time I would stop an antibiotic, it would come back in a few weeks.  Eventually, they were going to take the tonsils, but then the infections stopped.  Also, on the left side I had a severe infection once in a tooth.  I was wondering if these things could have contributed to the node size and if re-evaluation is necessary.

Any advice is appriciated.

[mom7777]

Hey, I just joined and was looking up stuff and read your. I think you know your body and if something does not feel right, then get it checked.My son, who is almost 9 has had 4 swollen lymph nodes for about 5 weeks. He is scheduled for a biopsy this friday.He has had night sweats every night, low grade fever on and off for no reason. He has not been sick. He itches sometimes.Could be related to something else?? His stomache is bloted, more than normal from his constipation problems. He gets headaches and gets pale sometimes. He has not been super tired, though. Anyways, have you had anything like that? I think if a node is fixed and grows rapidly it should be checked.You ould always have a biopsy done on one of them to make sure. I fear his is lymphoma. Good luck.

[turtle221]

Hey.  I'm sorry to hear that your son is having problems.  I have not symptoms at all.  The I only sweat once in a while at night (not drenching) and it is always before the start of my monthly cycle.  I don't feel like anything is wrong, I am just worried because I have had the node for years.  It has not grown or changed and it is mobile.  I didn't get a biopsy because at the time my ENT said that he didn't think it to be necessary.  I am just really freaked out about these things since my dad died of kidney cancer 4 years ago.

I am sure that there are other explanations for your son's symptoms. However, if it does (and I pray that it doesn't) turn out to be lymphoma, I hear they have excellent treatments and many children who do have it have a good prognosis.

I will pray for your son.

[mom7777]

thank you for the prayer. If it has not grown and it mobile, then that is a good sign. I have read so much on line, that I think I am getting alot of education about things. I will say a prayer for you tonight. I am sorry about your father. Lisa