Several Palpable Lymph Node

[fury6]

I would really appreciate it if someone would take the time to talk with me because I am truly freaking out.  It all started with palpable lymphnodes in the collarbone area and posterier triangle.  I went to an oncologist/hemotolgist who did a full body ct scan with contrast which showed 4 enlarged lymph nodes.  The largest was 1.5cm x 1.9cm and my blood work came up perfect LDH everything great.  I pushed for a biopsy anyway.  They biopsied the largest lymph node with ultrasound guided  FNA AND core needle and ran it through flow cytometry.  Nothing was suspicious it was benign.  My doctor explained to me that in some people they are just palpable from old infections.  It is completely normal.  I decided to get a second opinion so I went to a top notch doctor in new york city who was literally rated number 1 hemotologist by 12,000 doctors.  He palpated all my nodes and explained to me that the cervical chain runs all the way to the supraclavicle area so it is not necessary a supraclavicle lymph node I am feeling.  He was no concerened at all.  

I am getting very good and finding lymph nodes and I find more each day but I am not sure if they are new or have always been there.  I am getting very worried. I feel great no symptoms at all just anxiety over these nodes.  I am 23 years old.  I have palpable lymph nodes in my supraclavicle area but they are not large and symmetrical I feel them on both sides left and right.  I also can feel  a few in my neck.  Should I go for another ultrasound becuase the radiation is becoming to much i think for someone my age.  My doctor also explained the scalp drains to the posterioer clavicle areas and i do have excema and itchy scalp.  Im going back to the doctor but should I be as concerned about this as I already am?

Is it normal for some people to have symmetrical collarbone lymph nodes palpable?  You cannot seem them adn I have to push my shoulders back to get to them but should I just assume I have cancer?

[fury6]

you also have several palpable lymph nodes in both areas of your collarbones? How do they feel? Thank you for answering. This is permanent right because mine are.

[PaulMD]

Hi.

I also have a lot of lymph nodes in the area that you have described, and also have severe dermatitis of the scalp with folliculitis.  Lymph nodes do enlarge in response to this local skin irritation and infections.  The fact that the biopsy and even the flow cytometry (which I believe, is already overdoing things) turned out to be benign means that this is indeed a benign condition.

You have been worked up extensively and has been seen by top notch doctors.  I don't think that any additional consults at this point would be of benefit, and this might just turn into hypochondriasis or an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.  Also, I suggest you stop surfing the net for answers.  All you will find are morbid information about cancer, lymphoma and similar stuff that will usually not apply to your situation and will just make you worry more.


Regards and God bless.