Enlarged lymph nodes and weight loss

[BUTTERFLY2714]

I am new to this forum.  I have been dealing with enlarge lymph nodes for 1.5 years.  It started with one enlarge lymph node in the subclavicular area.  I had an ultrasound which came back suspicious and was referred for a CT, the very next morning they called me back to have an MRI as the previous CT showed abnormalities and several nodes in my neck area varying in size between 1 to 1.5 cm.  The specialist that I saw specialize in lymph node surgery (he is a surgeon) related to melanoma since I had a melanoma on my right leg in April 2003.  He wasn't concerned with my lymph nodes and didn't want to do a biopsy.  I went back to see him in September because I have been feeling unwell since June.  Again he was not concerned.  I did a blood test and it only revealed ferritin at 38 so I was sent back for another test a week later and it had gone down to 33 but he didn't do anything about it and neither did I since I don't know what it means.  Since then, I have lost 21 pounds since mid August; I have more palpable lymph nodes.  I have constant cold sores on my lips and inside my nose.  I have intermittent fever but I am not sure if it is caused by the cold sores or if I have the cold sores as a result of the fever.  I had cold sores in the past but maybe one every two years.  I went to a clinic yesterday because I felt unwell again and the doc said that I had sign of an infection in my mouth and that my lymph nodes could be caused by a virus that I haven't been able to fight for 4 months.  He is sending me for blood work again. I am not scared about this, as cancer, which is usually the most scary diagnosis is not new to me.  As I said I had a melanoma removed and I lost my sister to cancer a year and a half ago.  Thanks for listening and any insight would be appreciated.

[BUTTERFLY2714]

Thank you very much for your feedback.   I went for the blood test yesterday and will wait for the results.  Since then, I have found a lump on my sacrum (by roling on to it while I was sitting) I am a little concern as I previously had a pilonidal cyst removed and it is not in the same area but more to the side.  I will mention it to the Doctor if I am called back for my blood work.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

The whole series of symptoms which you have been experiencing (enlarged lymph nodes, cold sores, intermittent fever, weight loss) may all be signs of a lingering infection.  But given your prior history as well as a strong family history of cancer, the possibility that these symptoms are caused by an underlying cancer cannot be discounted. It is good that you are seeing a doctor right now and having these things thoroughly investigated.