Should I be concerned about swollen lymph nodes?

I noticed 3 weeks ago that 2 lymph nodes in a very unusual spot under BOTH of my arms began to swell. (The subclavicular group axillary lymph nodes)  They would sometimes swell and go back down, I thought they were boils sometimes and picked at them.  One day my armpits began to itch and those lymph nodes swelled to about the size of a marble or more.  It was painful and tender to the touch, (Hence I thought they were still boils)  I decided to go to the doctor and saw my Nurse Practitioner.  She said these specific lymph nodes are linked to my back.  

She inspected my back and found a suspicious mole.  It is small and looks like a normal mole to me but there is a red inflammation around this said mole.  Basically it looks like a minor zit with a mole on top.  ( can't get a closer look it's on my back. )

She did a biopsy and I have to wait 2 or 3 weeks for the results.  Should I just go to a dermatologist and get a quicker answer?  Should I be concerned?  What are the odds it's melanoma or a more minor skin cancer?  The fact that those lymph nodes are swollen reallllly concerns me!

I have had many other fatigue like symptoms for over a year, and suspect I have some sort of infection or auto-immune disease, I guess I can keep thinking that to keep my mind at ease, cause thinking of stage 3 melanoma is not helping me!!!!!

[mongoosepie]

Oh also my breath gets really smelly when these lymph nodes are swollen.  Another sign of infection? Or what do you think?

Thankssss!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is not normal to find swollen lymph nodes. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Other causes include allergic reactions, arthritis, cancer, metabolic diseases, and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

If you notice changes in the mole's/mark’s color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have it checked if it bleeds, oozes, itches, appear scaly, or become tender or painful. Hence I suggest you to get it examined from a dermatologist.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.