Lymphoma? groin, arpmit, neck pain

[mica529]

Hi,
This seems to be a somewhat common post, but I haven't yet seen any conclusion to these type of symptoms.  Basically the situation is about 5 months ago I started feeling some strange sensations in my tooth, which later developed into a sore throat and low-grade fever, gum pain (on and off) and later started developing pain in my groin.  After some paranoia over a sexual encounter (unprotected oral sex)  I started searching for lymph nodes on other parts of my body.  Shortly after that I started developing pain in my armpits and neck, along with tightness in my lower neck at times.  There are no visible lumps, just pain where lymph nodes should be.  This went on for a couple of months and then subsided a bit.  I was given a couple of courses of antibiotics, but I'm not sure if they helped or the symptoms just calmed down.  The groin thing never went away completely but was more mild.  A few weeks ago the symptoms started coming back with pain in my armpits, neck and groin, nothing obviously swollen, but I've been told they could be swollen under the skin.  Sometimes I get pain in other areas where lymph nodes could be (behind the knees, elbows), also accompanied by a slight sore throat and ear ache.  I recently went to the doctor again for another look and she "thinks" a few are swollen, but seemed kind of unsure.  They took some blood and urine and are in the process of running a battery of tests.  I have already tested negative for HIV, but am testing for that again as part of the tests.  I am waiting on the results for all of these tests.  As a side note, I also went to the dentist during this time and have many cavities that need to be treated.

My questions are:
1) Does this sound like any kind of Lymphoma or cancer?  I've read that nodes are usually painless and generally start in one area and not all over, but my doctor said they could be painful in the beginning.  
2) Could dental problems (cavities) be causing these symptoms?  I've been told they can only cause lymph node swelling in the neck, but I still feel like this is somehow related to my teeth problems.
3) If my blood work comes back clean, is this a pretty good sign it's not cancer or lymphoma?  I don't have insurance and can see some very expensive testing coming if nothing conclusive comes from the test.  My doctor has already asked me to get an ultrasound.

Any ideas on what this could be would be helpful.  I'm trying to get through the weekend without being overwhelmed with anxiety.

Thank you!

[kate61]

My daughter recently diagnosed with Lymphoma, blood test showed no infection but high white cell count(not good) as they start looking elsewhere. CT shows tumor, abnormal cluster of white cells (cancer) then biopsy to find out if it is malignant  or not.

Another CT & a PET scan a to check for more areas of concern and a more indepth look.

Bone bio to determine type & stage of cancer.

Symptoms included weight loss 10% and sweaty, tired and lumps under arm, neck and groin.

If your teeth or mouth was infected this can cause your lymp nodes to swell and you to be unwell. I hope this help, no I am not a Dr just a concerned mother

[mica529]

kate61, thank you for taking the time to respond.   My symptoms seem somewhat nebulous, kind of off and on.  i personally can't feel any lumps, just pain where lymph nodes are.  My CBC was pretty much normal and I don't really have the money to spend on many more expensive tests (ultrasounds, CT scans).  I've decided to get my teeth fixed first (13 cavities) to see if the symptoms resolve.  Most of this started with pain in my gums, sore throat, and then a few weeks later pain in my groin, later neck and armpits.  It seemed to happen very quickly, and from what I've read, lymphoma doesn't usually present with pain and tends to start in one area first.  As far as the rest of the symptoms go, I could probably say I've been fatigued a bit, had some itchy skin, and maybe sweat a little, but I couldn't say if it was anything out of the ordinary.  

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter and truly hope everything turns out for the best.  Thanks again for your thoughts.  Good luck.

[Lorrie62]

The lymph glands in the neck can be from your teeth, but not the underarms and groin.  You could possibly have an infection - mono?  cat scratch?  Symptoms of lymphoma are itching, weight loss, night sweats, fatigue.  My blood tests were perfect and I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and had no symptoms.  The only way to tell is by biopsy.

Lorrie62

[mica529]

Thanks Lorrie.  I'm confused, if you had no symptoms, why did you get a biopsy?  Do you mean you had no weight loss, sweats or fatigue, but had swollen lymph nodes, or no symptoms whatsoever?  If you had swollen nodes, were they visible, easy to feel and not painful?  Mine aren't visibile, can somewhat feel a few, and they are painful.  Lately I've been having pain behind my knees, especially my right knee but I can't feel a lymph node.

[Lorrie62]

My lymphoma was found by accident.  I had a CT of the chest to check for a pulmonary embolism, and lung nodules were found.  I then had a PET scan and had hypermetabolic activity in the abdomen.  Due to this, I had a CT of the abdomen and pelvis and that is where retroperitoneal and mesenteric lymphadenopathy were discovered.  I had a laparotomy and exploratory and two nodes were biopsed proving to be follicular Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  I was in total shock, as were my internist and gastroenterologist.  

Lorrie62