"lump" in the groing area for over two years...infection or something else ?

[roxanne74]

I've had a "lump" in my groin (in the right side) for over two years...when I found out about it I had my first pap smear done (about 2 years ago as well) and everything came up normal (although it's my understanding pap smears do not test for STDs)...in any case, the doctor told me that it could be a swollen lymph node but that was usually normal in people my age (I was 20 then) in which case it should go away within few weeks, and that I should go back and get checked in case it didn't improve by then. Around that time I changed jobs and changed insurance and never went back to get checked until a year later. The "lump" was still there and my new doctor gave me an order for an ultrasound and after another pap smear she did not find any abnormalities; she also tested me for chlamydia and another STD which name I can't remember..everything came up normal. I haven't been able to get the ultrasound done though because my insurance doesn't cover it and haven't been able to put aside some money to get it done...I'm finally working on getting some money aside for the ultrasound but in the meantime I'm really worried since ocassionaly I have pain in the area where the "lump" is, which sometimes goes down to my right leg and sometimes I also feel kind of a slightly burning/tinggling sensation in the pelvic area or in the leg as well (the pain appears to increase sometimes when I sit specially if I'm wearing tight jeans)...Besides a yeast infection about 6 months ago, I haven't had any STD's (as far as I'm concerned) ...can this be a swollen lymph node due to an infection I had at some point without knowing it ? If so, could it be swollen for over two years ? could it be something else ?

[mjbrown]

Have you been back to your doctor recently? Your insurance company may pay for an ultrasound of a mass that has been there for two years. Any STD that would have caused a swollen lymph node would likely have "resolved itself," presented symptoms, or caused complications by now. It is important that you have the ultrasound to determine if the mass is an enlarged lymph node, a cyst, or a benign tumor (a malignancy would likely have caused many more symptoms / problems over the course of 2 years). But definitely get this checked out. If your insurance still won't pay for an ultrasound, speak to your doctor and see if your insurance will cover a fine needle biopsy to determine what the mass is. Maybe someone else here can offer you some better feedback.

All the best..

[roxanne74]

Thanks for the feedback...I actually scheduled an appointment for tomorrow..will see.. hopefully I can get this resolved it's very frustrating being in doubt and not being able to do something when you need it the most...