Very scared

[enzopolous]

I am in cancer treatment and know the symptoms although I am only a student and do not have health insurance currently.  I used to socially smoke and consume alcohol on a monderate basis.  I have had several severe flus in which vommiting was frequent.  I have had some throat irritation and slight ear problems for several weeks as well as a very large lymph node on the left side of my neck although it is prolly extra large because I have been poking at it.  I am only 26 but I am very scared.  Please help.

[Enoch Choi]

If you are in cancer treatment, it's concerning that you have a persistently enlarged lymph node.  Even in people without cancer, a lymph node that remains swollen for more than 2 weeks requires further evaluation.  Please see your provider of cancer treatment to look at this node.

If you don't have insurance, go see your local county public health clinic, they can provide care at low cost.

Enoch Choi, MD

[enzopolous]

I must say though my symptoms are not always present.  As of right now I have the swollen lymph node but no throat or ear pain.  I get weird ear pains every once in a while and it seems like the pains in my throat have been absent for a week or so.  Please any help would be much appreciated.