Normal lymph node????

[tw26]

Thank you in advance for your time.  I'm a white 27 yr. old female, drink once a week (4-5 beers or wine), ex-smoker, 20 lbs. overweight, take Aciphex for Reflux, Zrytec-D for year round sinus/allergies problems, multi-vitamin w/ numerous supplements, birth control pills, wear a splint at nite for TMJ, Xanax on occassion (high levels on anxiety/panic/OCD/huge fear of cancer-grandmother died of Ovarian cancer/border line Hypocondriac), have sometimes very dry mouth (some days are better than others). My ENT says that I have chronic tonsillitis (having them taken out in Oct.) I frequently check my mouth, feel my throat, sides of my ear and face.  My problem:  Last Friday I felt a dime sized swollen gland under my chin and it was somewhat painful/tender but you couldn't see it in the mirror - no reddness, I have no facial/neck pain, no weakness on my face or neck.  Saturday it felt like it doubled in size and it was very painful/tender.  I only felt pain when I touched it or rested my chin in the palm of my hand. Sunday it felt somewhat smaller and less painful/tender.  Monday - felt a whole lot smaller and just a little bit tender.  Tuesday - smaller and no tenderness/pain.  Wednesday - hardly notice or feel a gland (kinda feels like a small bean, not really hard and somewhat moveable) and no pain.  Today - same thing as Wednesday and no pain.  The weird thing is that when I wake up in the morning I swear it feels just a tad bit bigger or firmer(not much-not sure if its all in my head since I have alot of anxiety) than when I went to bed the nite before but through out the day it feels like a small pea or bean again (kinda almost nonexistent but not- can still feel it a little bit).  This has happened before in the past, once last year and a few times a couple of years ago.  It just seems like its taking longer for it to go away than in the past.  I don't feel sick - just have the typical sinus/allegry/post-nasal drip problems.  I do tend to over react and I don't know if I should see my ENT for this because I was just there last Monday to see him to remove one of those stinky tonsil stones (they smell horrible) and he said everything looked fine but I also didn't have this problem at the time.  I don't want to seem like a idiot or that person who rushes off to the doctor because I do do that.  Should I be concerned about this?  As I have said before I'm afraid of cancer and I'm just scared that it could be Lymphoma, Salivary gland cancer, Throat cancer..... I don't really remember ever being able to feel my gland under my chin.  Is it normal to be able to feel your lymph nodes? ALso, does it irriate the gland if you keep feeling it?  I'm always feeling it and pressing on it. I assume that its a good thing that the swelling has pretty much gone away, I just don't really remember being able to feel my gland under my chin.  I'm just confused and looking for a professional opinion on this?  Thank you

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I often get questions about enlarged lymph nodes.  In most cases, they are due to infection - especially enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and groin area.  Any type of viral or bacterial infection can enlarge lymph nodes.  If there is evidence of an upper respiratory infection, you may want to consider treatment, or (if viral) wait until it runs it course to see if there is any improvement in the enlargement.  

If the lymph node persists despite appropriate treatment, then I would certainly have it evaluated by an ENT physician.  The definitive test to evaluate for lymphoma would be a biopsy.  

I would discuss these options with your personal physician.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

**Note: I'll be away until August 14th - The forums will re-open then.**