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Posterior Cervical Lymph Nodes
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!
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!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Lyme etc can create night sweats. I assume you also know there are "Lyme Literate" docs.
For lymphoma worry? The radiologist's report is most important right now. Hopefully, your report is not one that only gives the size. We want to know about the internal structure as well. 2nd opinions can be obtained for the scan images, without needing a whole new scan.
If a sono report says that the internal architecture is effaced, or if it gets even bigger, then it's time for a surgeon. Biopsy is the one sure way of diagnosis.
Your 1.2cm is probably getting near to max. There is not a one-number fits all for it. It makes sense that for infection a node goes quickly to max size.
Surgical biopsies have risks, so are not done willy nilly. Different docs are more or less prone to order a biopsy.
The problem with looking online for lists of symptoms is that it doesn't give a correct view of probability of the cause. Lymphoma is the least likely at this point.
Good luck with your doc visit today.
For lymphoma worry? The radiologist's report is most important right now. Hopefully, your report is not one that only gives the size. We want to know about the internal structure as well. 2nd opinions can be obtained for the scan images, without needing a whole new scan.
If a sono report says that the internal architecture is effaced, or if it gets even bigger, then it's time for a surgeon. Biopsy is the one sure way of diagnosis.
Your 1.2cm is probably getting near to max. There is not a one-number fits all for it. It makes sense that for infection a node goes quickly to max size.
Surgical biopsies have risks, so are not done willy nilly. Different docs are more or less prone to order a biopsy.
The problem with looking online for lists of symptoms is that it doesn't give a correct view of probability of the cause. Lymphoma is the least likely at this point.
Good luck with your doc visit today.
Also, at what cm size would you stop being calm and start really worrying?
Like I said, the tech told me the sze so I will get the info from Dr.'s interpretation tomorrow.
Like I said, the tech told me the sze so I will get the info from Dr.'s interpretation tomorrow.
Haven't seen it yet. Drs will get it tomorrow. Praying that it looks good and that the chest X-ray is clear. Please keep me in your thoughts for that!
The sweats HAVE been drenching, I don't wake up from slumber enough to change clothes but my chest is pretty drenched. I don't really know if thats an issue though b/c like i said I've been sleeping with a lot of blankets and a sweatshirt and its not like it has been every night for weeks or months.
I'm concerned about what kind of Dr I should be seeking the opinion of, because I don't trust GP's. I have seen way too many who have no clue what they are talking about (for example... the Lyme. I saw 30 docs before I was diagnosed. They just wanted to give me antidepressants) What type of doctor would be most familiar with the situation? Ears, Nose Throat? Oncologist?
Hopefully I have that fatty hilum. The other thing is I have NO clue when it popped up. I had an itch right where it is and when I scratched it I felt the bump. I checked it later that evening and it was still there and seemed to be concerning. If I never had to scratch that itch, who knows if I would have noticed or when. Its only visable when looking for it and when I turn my head a certain way.
When would a biopsy be warranted? Isn't it sensible to want assurance if it doesn't go down anytime soon? I hate waiting.
You are right, the timing is a shame. I feel bad for being so on edge and probably worrying my parents.
This whole thing stinks and I am just ready for a definitive answer from someone so I can relax.
Thanks again for your knowledge
The sweats HAVE been drenching, I don't wake up from slumber enough to change clothes but my chest is pretty drenched. I don't really know if thats an issue though b/c like i said I've been sleeping with a lot of blankets and a sweatshirt and its not like it has been every night for weeks or months.
I'm concerned about what kind of Dr I should be seeking the opinion of, because I don't trust GP's. I have seen way too many who have no clue what they are talking about (for example... the Lyme. I saw 30 docs before I was diagnosed. They just wanted to give me antidepressants) What type of doctor would be most familiar with the situation? Ears, Nose Throat? Oncologist?
Hopefully I have that fatty hilum. The other thing is I have NO clue when it popped up. I had an itch right where it is and when I scratched it I felt the bump. I checked it later that evening and it was still there and seemed to be concerning. If I never had to scratch that itch, who knows if I would have noticed or when. Its only visable when looking for it and when I turn my head a certain way.
When would a biopsy be warranted? Isn't it sensible to want assurance if it doesn't go down anytime soon? I hate waiting.
You are right, the timing is a shame. I feel bad for being so on edge and probably worrying my parents.
This whole thing stinks and I am just ready for a definitive answer from someone so I can relax.
Thanks again for your knowledge
COMMUNITY LEADER
Stress can stir up the immune system also.
Have you seen your sonogram report? The presence of a "fatty hilum" almost always means it is not lymphoma. The word "reactive" means that it is most likely swollen only because of an immune response - not from lymphoma. If you don't have your sono report then get a copy and you will probably feel reassured..
If it popped up suddenly, that is much more like an immune reaction than lymphoma.
The symptoms you are thinking of - sweating, itching, SOB -- are typically in later stages and not in the beginning, Besides, 'night sweats' means that you get *drenched* and have to change clothes.
You don't seem to have "shotty nodes", which are a group of small ones - like buckshot.
It's a shame that this had to happen to you over the Christmas season. But I hope that next year will be the good one for you, Nyla.
I doubt that any doctor would think that a biopsy is warranted from what we know at this point. I hope you can relax a little.
Have you seen your sonogram report? The presence of a "fatty hilum" almost always means it is not lymphoma. The word "reactive" means that it is most likely swollen only because of an immune response - not from lymphoma. If you don't have your sono report then get a copy and you will probably feel reassured..
If it popped up suddenly, that is much more like an immune reaction than lymphoma.
The symptoms you are thinking of - sweating, itching, SOB -- are typically in later stages and not in the beginning, Besides, 'night sweats' means that you get *drenched* and have to change clothes.
You don't seem to have "shotty nodes", which are a group of small ones - like buckshot.
It's a shame that this had to happen to you over the Christmas season. But I hope that next year will be the good one for you, Nyla.
I doubt that any doctor would think that a biopsy is warranted from what we know at this point. I hope you can relax a little.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for your swift response!
What is your experience with stuff like this?
I forgot to mention that I've have no sign of illness or infection. Lyme sure does do MANY strange things to the body.
I have been sweating at night - but I also live in LA and am visiting my parents in NY, so i sleep with a sweatshirt and a lot of blankets, sometimes electric blanket. I worry about itchy skin (I'm not super itchy, just a little, like dryness) but, it could very well be from the dry environment and lack of lotion with the forced hot air.
Then I wonder if i am short of breath or if I'm just so worked up that i feel that way. The whole situation stinks. What should I be doing to confirm? a biopsy or... another ultra sound to see if it grows. I'm sure I'm fine, it'd be really terrible luck if I'm not.
I just wanted to relax over the holidays- I have had the worst year. 2014 has been pretty awful to me, just one thing after another. I was really in need of a good break... and now this. I am so tense.
I feel better after your response... but as you cAn see, I am losing my mind with worry. It is all consuming. I knew a kid back when I was 21 that found a lump on his neck and next thing I knew he was fighting for his life. So, obviously that must have scared me on some level. Thats the only reason I even knew there was cause for concern. If it's nothing- what causes them to be "shotty nodes"? Is this common to have never noticed anything like this my entire life and then have this? I hope so.
Thanks in advance (to anyone).
:)
Nyla
Thank you so much for your swift response!
What is your experience with stuff like this?
I forgot to mention that I've have no sign of illness or infection. Lyme sure does do MANY strange things to the body.
I have been sweating at night - but I also live in LA and am visiting my parents in NY, so i sleep with a sweatshirt and a lot of blankets, sometimes electric blanket. I worry about itchy skin (I'm not super itchy, just a little, like dryness) but, it could very well be from the dry environment and lack of lotion with the forced hot air.
Then I wonder if i am short of breath or if I'm just so worked up that i feel that way. The whole situation stinks. What should I be doing to confirm? a biopsy or... another ultra sound to see if it grows. I'm sure I'm fine, it'd be really terrible luck if I'm not.
I just wanted to relax over the holidays- I have had the worst year. 2014 has been pretty awful to me, just one thing after another. I was really in need of a good break... and now this. I am so tense.
I feel better after your response... but as you cAn see, I am losing my mind with worry. It is all consuming. I knew a kid back when I was 21 that found a lump on his neck and next thing I knew he was fighting for his life. So, obviously that must have scared me on some level. Thats the only reason I even knew there was cause for concern. If it's nothing- what causes them to be "shotty nodes"? Is this common to have never noticed anything like this my entire life and then have this? I hope so.
Thanks in advance (to anyone).
:)
Nyla
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi, the odds are that it is not lymphoma. Most enlarged nodes are from infection, by far. A node that is only 1.2 cm can certainly be merely from infection.
Sometimes a node just doesn't go down, usually because it has built up scar tissue inside.
Lyme and its co-infections can do many strange things, as you probably know.
I think you can look forward to your doctor telling you that it is not lymphoma. Merry Christmas.
Sometimes a node just doesn't go down, usually because it has built up scar tissue inside.
Lyme and its co-infections can do many strange things, as you probably know.
I think you can look forward to your doctor telling you that it is not lymphoma. Merry Christmas.
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