Please Please Lymphoma? need some advice!

[jess220]

Approx 3 months ago I noticed a small lymph node on the left side of my neck (measured 9mm). I havent been sick at all. I also have a very tiny lymph node I can feel in my left armpit that moves very easily. I immediadtely went to my doctor, had 3 CBC's done everything normal. Then I had a chest xray done and it came back clear nothing abnormal. I also had an ultrasound done to check my neck lymph node which was measured at (9mm) and a few more that were much smaller (2mm) same side of neck. The doctor said the lymph node didn't appear abnormal on the ultrasound and that they can usually tell by appearance of the node if its cancerous (is this true??). I honestly feel fine I have started with body itching especially at night but  the winter months have just begun so I dont know if its from the furnace being on and the dry air. I am having huge anxiety and I know its causing me extreme stress. I am constantly searching online and reading symptoms. My fatigue I believe is caused from my anxiety and not sleeping. This week I will be having an abdominal ultrasound if this comes back clear of no abnormalities can I put this behind me? The doctor said usually with lymphoma the nodes are 2cm and bigger and look "mean" on an ulreasound. Please I need advice I feel as though I will have a nervous breakdown.

[jess220]

As well the doc said no biopsy was necessary he believed! Should I feel confident? And they are painless

[Ken_PA]

yes, your doc is telling the truth and not just sugar-coating things

there are various aspects about the structure that can indicate that an enlarged node is not cancerous, not just size

[jess220]

Ok thank you so much for your quick response. So should I persue this lymph node of feel confident to move on? Is a clear chest xray, ultrasound a 3 cbc's a good indication its not lymphoma? He said sometimes thinner people feel theirs and that 9mm was no concern. I believe the itching may be from stress! Its a scary feeling im 30 years old and have 2 young children. This has terrified me!

[Mochadelicious]

Hi jess,
Yes, I agree with your doctor that 9 mm is very small and not a lot for concern.  If it was lymphoma, you would most likely see bigger nodes.  Keep an eye on it, and if you notice it getting bigger over the next few weeks, then you should go back to your doctor.  I never personally had the itching, but most people describe it as pretty intense and all over.  

I was just curious why you are having an abdominal ultrasound?  It does sound like your doctor is being very thorough so I would feel pretty confident it's nothing to worry about.    

[jess220]

Thank you! I appreciate your advice! My doc ordered an abdominal ultrasound to check for lymph nodes on the liver, kidney and so on I suppose. He said they will also check my spleen. He said he felt confident in that the chest xray was clear and the size of the nodes are small and didnt look abnormal. I also had other test to rule out other things for swollen lymph nodes everything negative. I just dont understand why I can feel them then? My itching is everywhere but I honestly believe its the weather change and the intense stress ive been under from this. Also do you think 3 clear cbc's are a good indication as well? I just want to be able to move on. Its been a few weeks since I had the ultrasound no change in size.

[Mochadelicious]

You are very welcome.  Sounds like you have a really good doctor.  With all the tests coming back negative including the CBC's, I'd say you couldn't ask for anything better.  I wasn't quite sure what you meant by "I also had other test to rule out other things for swollen lymph nodes."  Do your remember the name of the test?  Possibly a CT or PET scan?  I guess it doesn't really matter since all tests are negative anyways.  The itching could very well be winter dryness.  You might try slathering on the lotion in the morning and evening.  

If I had to guess (and that's what I'm doing because I'm not a doctor), I'd say you're just fine, especially if your abdominal ultrasound comes back clean.  Some people have residual lymph nodes that are slightly swollen from an infection that never goes back down all the way.  This may be exactly what's going on with you, especially if your thin.  

[jess220]

Sorry I should have been more specific. No CT or PET scan. I had a cat scratch fever, hiv and one other test all negative just to rule out other swollen lymph node causes. Should I request these? Or wait on the abdominal ultrasound? Could you tell me the characteristics of your lymph nodes when you were diagnosed.

[Ken_PA]

nodes swell up as the normal response to infection. Stress weakens the immune system. Stressing about the size of the nodes can ironically make any chronic infection last even longer.

You would do yourself a favor by forgetting any thoughts that it is cancer :)

[jess220]

Thanks again Ken and Mocha, your great help.And your right Ken stress is so horrible for you and I have been extremely worried. I just have one last question if you could help. In lymphoma, are all your nodes infected and appear abnormal? For example, Like the one I had ultrasound wasn't appeared to be "mean" looking as my doctor said. So would all other nodes appear the same? I guess what im asking is IF I had lymphoma that one specific enlarged node I have would appear abnormal correct?

[Ken_PA]

yes, correct

so you are good