Posterior Cervical Lymph Nodes

[martonius]

A little over a year ago, I discovered three small lumps in my neck.  I started to get anxious about them, so I decided to go to the doctors.  He said that I had a few slightly enlarged posterior cervical lymph nodes and they were probably due to a recent cold or virus.  A few months later they were still around the same size so I went back.  He told me they were around 1cm (though they felt larger to me) and that I should keep an eye on them to see if they get larger, and that sometimes they can become permanently enlarged.  Well, it's been over a year and as far as I can tell, they haven't gotten any larger, but I can still easily feel them.

The thing that bothers me is that I read about this particular lymph node group, and almost every site I look at says that if the Posterior Lymph Nodes become enlarged, it is commonly due to malignancies, leukemia, or lymphoma.

I am a 25 year old male.  I've had no fever, night sweats, or any other symptom besides the lymph nodes.  I've had blood work done on two separate occasions, which have both been fine.  I've also had a monospot, HIV test, and TB test, also OK.  

I've just had a bit of anxiety lately, and have grown a little concerned over this.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Ken_PA]

Well, I've been saying to get a copy of the report, but now I give up repeating :)

I've also said that the actual images are useless (to anyone but a radiologist).


I once saw a GP say to call the radiologist - though he also said they never get calls from patients and don't quite know how to field the call. I'd ask for details on "benign appearing".

[nyla123]

Just got off the phone with the doctor.
Still waiting on chest X-ray.

I have two lymph nodes swollen. They disregarded one due to size but I still think it's rather large (0.2 x 0.7 x 0.8) and then the other one is said to be 0.7 x 0.3 x 1.2
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS!

Allegedly, it is "benign appearing" no mention of the fatty hilum. I asked, he didn't have an answer because I guess the report must be vague.
How do I get that information?
I am picking up the disc tomorrow, but I don't know what I am looking for.

Instead of feeling better I feel worse. Is two swollen ones more indicative of an infection or of something more serious such as lymphoma or leukemia? Why won't anyone run bloodwork?

Do you or anyone have any suggestions or answers?

[Ken_PA]

Yes, kidney bean shape is fine.

Your doc does not look at the scan images, they read the report from the radiologist. So can you.

Yes, everybody says 'good luck'.

[nyla123]

Just called to get it faxed over to the doctors and the lady goes "okay, good luck to you."
Jeeezzz... I hope she just says that to everyone.
Guess I'll have some info soon

[nyla123]

Yes, I only go to Lyme literate docs now. But before when I was told it wasn't Lyme, I didn't know to go to one.

It feels to me that it is not necessarily long and thin but it is longer than it is wide. Like an oval or a fat pill... kidney bean.
Called both docs - they haven't received the scans yet.

So the structure ... I should be hoping for a preserved fatty hilum? is that easy for the doctor to see?
Thanks for the well wishes, info & positivity!
Nervously waiting...

[Ken_PA]

I'm assuming your node as seen on the scan is an okay shape - i.e., bean shaped. Long and thin would be worrisome, or lobed or otherwise irregular.

I'm also assuming it is in fact a node, not a cyst or lipoma.