Looking for help. Scared of Lymphoma!!

[nike123456]

Good Morning,

This is my story.  April the 21, 2014 I noticed an ingrown on the left side of my jaw line.  This was not a surprise for me because I have very thick facial hair and I've had ingrown before.  After aggressively squeezing and poking at it for a week it became the size of a quarter.  Very hard and I can see pus build of deep inside the skin.  It looked like a huge red not on my face.  At the same time I got 2 canker sores in my mouth.  April 29th in the shower i notices a bump on the left side of my neck.  After playing around with it for a few days i finally realized it was a swollen lymph node.  I can actually squeeze the skin together and feel the tine ball underneath my skin.  Went to my dr may 1st and she said it felt like a swollen lymph node.  She said she was not surprise it was swollen because of the massive ingrown and the 2 canker sores in my mouth.  She sent me to a dermatologist.  Well, I'm concerned about the swollen lymph node because its not tender(painless) and its easily movable.  Anyways, the dermatologist confirmed it was a swollen lymph node and said its possible the ingrown is cause a reaction with the lymph node.  He gave me a topical antibiotic for the ingrown which is helping the ingrown, but the lymph node is still swollen and i can totally see it popping out when i turn my head in a certain direction.  Aanyway, the dermatologist told me not to worry and to come back in 2 months and if its still there he will send me to an ENT and get a biopsy.  That really scared the **** out me.  To make a long story short my wife works for a very well known family and was able to get me an appointment at the university of Chicago hospital with the director of the ENT  dept.  Im totally freaking out here.  I have 2 young boys at home and our third child is due june 18.  My questions:  painless movable swollen lymph nodes common with at infected ingrown?  Shouldnt they be tender?  Can the canker sores and infected ingrown cause a swollen lymph node on the side of my neck?  Please someone help and an advice will be appreciated greatly.

[nike123456]

I just cant believe this is happening again.  Last year they took out a lymph node on the left side and it was negative for all cancer.  Isnt that good enough???  Should i be this worried.  like i describe above I had 3 different episodes that have caused very tender lymph node.  the first 2 i had no other symptoms just tender lymph node and the last, which was the severe sore throat.  My sore throat is completely gone but this lymph node on the right side is about 1cm and completely painless.  I been poking and moving it around for a week now.  not sure if its bigger.  This is just unreal.  I cant believe I am back here again.  so annoyed and stressed and worried.  sorry mocha, but you were great help last year.  How are you feeling?  here i am talking about my problem and I never once asked about you.  Hope everything is well with you :):):)

[nike123456]

It's be again.  I hope you can help me like you did about a year ago.  If you remember I had a small lymph node removed from the left side of my neck and came back non cancerous.  Here we go.  this is my new store.  about 5 months ago i woke up and the right side of my neck was very tender.  I had a really hard time stretching my upwards without causing pain the the right front of my neck near my throat.  I realized it was a swollen tender lymph node.  I couldnt believe my luck here i was about a year later back talking about lymph nodes.  Anyway, the pain went away after a few days and everything went back to normal.  about 2 months after that the same thing happened but not as painful.  i knew it was a tender swollen lymph node, but i had no symptoms of a cold or sore throat or anything. that eventually went away.  but i could always feel a small little not if i dug deep enough on the right side.  10 days ago i had a severe sore throat.  I could barley swollow my saliva and i was having a really hard time eating.  went to the dr and strep test came back negative.  the same lymph node felt tender again.  anyway the troat got better and everything felt normal until i started feeling that lymph node not it was not tender pain free about the 1cm and very moveable.  I feel it the most when i swallow and hold it i can totally feel the lymph node and its very movable.  well now I am freaking out again.  literally going thru the same thing like last year.  total break down scared out of my mind.  I keep telling myself i had a lymph node removed on the other side how can i possible go back to my ENT after all that happened last year and bring this up to her now.  She will kill me :(

what do you think is the problem???  I am so confused and scared now.  Of course i been online again and all the bad stuff comes up and im freaking out.  my wife does not want to hear it.  

Thanks again for your help.  

[Mochadelicious]

That's great news Nike.  I'm sure that is a big load off your mind and you can go back to really enjoying life again.  There's nothing like a little health scare to make you really appreciate the ones you love.

I'm glad I could help and thanks again for the update.

[nike123456]

Mocha,

Just thought I would post an update.  Had the lymph node removed and it came back negative for cancer. It was normal lymph node tissue.  After 2 months of fear and worry I can finally put this behind me. Thanks for all your help!  I really appreciate you answering all my crazy anxious questions!  Good luck to you and keep up the great work!

Paul

[Mochadelicious]

Good for you.  I think that's a great idea.  I know it's easier said than done, but try to put it out I your mind for now.  No point in worrying until the doctor says you have something to worry about.

[Mochadelicious]

Good for you.  I think that's a great idea.  I know it's easier said than done, but try to put it out I your mind for now.  No point in worrying until the doctor says you have something to worry about.

[nike123456]

You know what your right!  I'm so sick and tired being worried about this.  It has taken over my life and I can't feel this way anymore.  Marking the calendar right now and leaving this alone for now.  Again, thank you for your help and your knowledge!  

[Mochadelicious]

You will see and feel that it has gone from pea size (which is pretty normal) to something bigger like a grape or walnut.  Malignant lumps tend to be hard and painless.

Your doctor probably didn't see a need for an ultrasound or scan since you don't have any other symptoms that resemble lymphoma and you did have symptoms that point to infection.

My advice to you is to write on your calendar when 3 months has passed since your last appointment and if by then, if it doesn't go away, call your doctor and see about doing an ultrasound or needle biopsy.

[nike123456]

Thanks AGAIN!  How will I know if it's getting bigger?  Will it harden?  Become more fixed?  Will it become more visible?  Sorry I know these questions sound ridiculous, but I am confused from all the information I've read online.  Isn't it odd  that the dr didn't order an ultrasound or a ct scan or at least draw some blood?  My wife thinks I'm making this a bigger deal then it is.

[Mochadelicious]

Lymph nodes can take a long time to go back down and sometimes they never go back down completely.  It is possible that you have built up some scar tissue within the node.  I think your doctor said wait a few months to see what happens and I think I'd be comfortable waiting that out unless it becomes very obvious that it is getting bigger.  Cancer is an accumulation of malignant cells so if it isn't getting bigger then that is a good sign.  

[nike123456]

Also, I only feel the node when I rotate my head completely to the opposite side.  If I'm looking straight forward I cannot feel it.  Does that make sense?  So confused right now.

[nike123456]

Good morning Mocha,

As you can see I am back.  I had a really bad night.  Even after the visit with the ENT I am still worried about this swollen node.  Its been almost a month and it's still there.  The ingrown hair is 95% better.  I was online reading and read so many thing that scarred me again.  I don't know what to do at this point.  Should I be comfortable and accept what the ENT said or should I move forward and demand a biopsy?  Sometimes I feel the node has gotten smaller and other times I think it's gotten bigger :( sure does not help that I constantly poke and squeeze at it all day.  Should I leave it alone for a month and see what happens?  Or should I demand a biopsy?  Pls any advise would be highly appreciated AGAIN.

[Mochadelicious]

Hey that is good news Nike.  I'm sure that is a big relief for you.  Thanks for keeping us posted.  Sharing your experience with others on this forum can help those who come here know that not all swollen lymph nodes equals a malignancy.  

Take care!

[nike123456]

Ok here we go Mocha,

The dr I saw was professor of surgery & director head and neck program and the university of Chicago hospital.  After examine me thoroughly she said "I am 99.999999% sure this is not malignant".  She said it was the shape of a bean and was no hard and it was more pronounced when I turn my head and it rested on the muscle.  She said it was not a surprise it was slightly enlarged (1cm is the size she said it was) because of the ingrown and all the other acne issues on that side.  She said if I was her brother she would tell me the same.  She told me to relax and wait a few months and then if "i" wanted to come back and not because she thinks I need to come back, she would do a ultra sound needle biopsy to easy my fears.  I feel much better.  Thank you do much for all your help and I will be praying for you always!  

[nike123456]

Thanks for your continuous support and feedback.  Appt at 8am Chicago time.  Will keep you posted.  

[Mochadelicious]

A normal lymph node is about 1 cm (about the size of a pea).  The place where your node is presenting is a very common place to see a swollen lymph node.  I don't think it is unreasonable to have a swollen node on your neck when your ingrown hair is close by on your jaw line.  Nodes closest to the infection tend to swell first.    

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow and please keep us posted.

[nike123456]

Moch,

My ingrown is almost gone but my swollen lymph node is still there and seems more pronounced.  What is considered a normal size lymph node?  I guess the location of this lymph node had me worried.  When I turn my head completely to the right I can see and feel the node on that muscle that runs from my ear down.  I never had a swollen node there.  My ingrown was on my jaw line.  I'm just frustrated and worried about my appt tomm with the ENT.  Been a bad couple of weeks filled with fear.

Thanks

[Mochadelicious]

If you've had the swollen tonsil for years then I doubt it is related to the swollen lymph node that just recently showed up.  I still think it's more related to your ingrown hair.  

[nike123456]

Sorry few more questions.  For years one of my tonsils is larger then the other and I frequently get tonsil stone in that same tonsil.  The tonsil is painless and the same color as the rest of the tissue in my mouth.  Could this be causing the problem?  Or can this also add to my lymphoma fears?

[Mochadelicious]

You are very welcome.  I can understand your fears, especially with a young family.  Please keep us posted on how your appointment goes.  

[nike123456]

Thank you so much for all your help.  You have been amazing and so much help.  I have an appt with ENT dr this Friday.  I'm hoping and praying everything will be fine.  I have a very young family (wife, 2 boys and a princess due June 18)  so my anxiety and fear is very high :( will post what the dr says.

Thanks,
Paul

[Mochadelicious]

I have never heard that about some lymph nodes being more alarming than others.  You have hundreds of lymph nodes through out your whole body, and with Lymphoma any of them are susceptible, however the ones on the neck, collarbone, groin and armpit areas are usually the most noticeable and prompt people to be seen by their doctor.  Cervical lymph nodes just means the group of lymph nodes found in your neck.  You can Google image the phrase "cervical lymph nodes" and see some good illustrations.

It's probably best to try and leave your lymph node alone as much as possible while it's healing.  Poking and prodding probably doesn't help with the swelling.  You mentioned previously that you though that the ingrown hair and canker sores were getting better?  If that's the case, I don't see a need for you to take oral antibiotics if the topical one is working for you.  The lymph node will probably take longer to heal and shrink back down than the ingrown or canker sores.  However, if after a couple of months it still hasn't shrunk down, your doctor might want to try an oral antibiotic.

[nike123456]

Sorry for bothering you so much :(
But I have a few more questions.  I read that swollen lymph nodes in the back of the neck are alarming and swollen nodes in the front were less likely to be cancerous...is this true?  My dr said my swollen lymph node was cervical, is that front it back?  And my node feels bigger this morning :( maybe I should stop poking/squeezing.  Also, would you suggest a round of oral antibiotics?  The topical antibiotic the dermatologist gave does not seem to help.  

Thanks,
Paul

[Mochadelicious]

Glad to hear you are healing already.  The lump could take some time to go down (weeks probably).  That is why your doctor gave you that 2 month window.  

As I mentioned before, lymphoma isn't always black and white.  Yes, most malignant lymph nodes are painless but sometimes not, and, most swollen lymph nodes from infection experience some degree of pain...but not always.  I wouldn't really worry too much about the fact that you don't feel pain.  You may not be experiencing any pain because your lump isn't very big.  My guess is if it had gotten bigger, you would have probably felt some pain due to the outer capsule of the lymph node stretching as it fills with WBC's.  

I know it's hard to not let your mind run wild, but from everything you explained I agree with your doctor and think you really have nothing to be concerned about.