Swollen Neck Lymph Nodes for Monts

[newguy4]

Hi, I'd like to start out by saying im a 21 year old male, and other then what has been going on recently I've always been healthy.

Last August I first discovered a swollen node underneath my left ear. I was given an anti-biotic but nothing happened to the node. I was schedule for blood testing, and a ct-scan. Blood testing came back normal, but my ct-scan showed a nodule over 2 cm with other enlargements in my neck. I was scheduled to see a general surgeon to perform a biopsy. When I went and saw the surgeon he said he wasn't going to perform the biopsy, because the nodule wasn't " that big " in his opinion. He turned out to be right about three weeks later after six months the nodule went away.

However, about a week after it went down I noticed two new nodules one on each side of my neck almost in identical places on each side. These nodules are still there and have been there for five months now. I've been terrified of lymphoma but I don't show any symptoms. No night sweats, fatigue, loss of appetite, or weight loss. Matter of fact I've gained 20 lbs since I first found these two nodules.

I also am scared about whats going on in my mouth. I have two symettrical bumps on my upper gums along the palate line I suppose, that are underneath the gums not sticking out, you can only feel them. I also keep getting one or two white spots on my right tonsil only, and my throat looks like it can be pretty red sometimes. I'd like to point out that I'm not a smoker, and I rarely have a drink.

I don't have any sore throat though thats the problem. It doesn't hurt to talk, or swallow. Everything is pretty much just there, but im not actually feeling any ill effects of whats happening.

I was able to see an ENT and he said, he believed this was "reactive lymph nodes " due to infectious mono that I had three years ago. He said that mono never leaves the body and only becomes dormant until it becomes active again. However, he didnt give me a mono-spot test to verify, that's all he said.

I really hope he's right, but I'm still really worried. If you go back to the first lymph node that eventually went away after 6 months, I've had nodule problems in my neck for 11 months now. Two rounds of anti-biotics haven't cleared anything. I know that I've listed alot of things here, but thats whats happening to me for almost a year now. I know lymph nodes that dont go away can be a bad sign.

Any ideas?

[newguy4]

I'd also like to add that these nodes are mobile i can move them to the left side anytime i want. I was told I could schedule an appointment with another ENT to tak about the results.

[newguy4]

Thank you for the reply.

Last Friday I was scheduled for a CT scan again, and I just got my results back. I was told there is nothing alarming about whats going on in my neck. That there isn't any change from the first CT scan 6 months ago.

I'm really hoping this is good news, as once again the doctors don't seem to be too concerned.

If I could ask a question here. Since these lymph nodes popped up rather quickly, and here we are 6 months later, and according to what I was told, nothing has changed would this be a good sign? I'd think although I'm not a doctor that there being no growth over 6 months would be a good sign of it being benign.

Thank you for your time Doctor.

[PaulMD]

Hi.

Aside from reactive adenitis from infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma is indeed a viable option.

There are classes of lymphoma which are slow growing or 'indolent' lymphomas, which do not characteristically produce symptoms of fever, weight loss and night sweats.  The nodes associated with these lymphomas can really persist for months or even years.

To settle things, you may want to discuss with your doctors regarding doing a biopsy procedure (fine or core needle) to see if there is indeed a suspicion for lymphoma.

Regards.