Swollen Lymph Nodes in Neck

[robbb0]

I am 43yo male, and recently had US and CT scan of the neck to investigate two swollen lymph nodes which were present for longer than a year in my left neck. Several nodes were found on the jugular(mid) chain, many sub-centimeter and 5 >= 1 CM the largest ones were 2.26, 1.65 and 1.55 CM. They are on both sides of the neck and under my chin as well. Nothing else was found in CTs of abdomen and groin. I have a biopsy scheduled for next month, but have read myself into anxiety attacks. I have read that anything above 1 CM is abnormal. I have no pain in the nodes themselves but have developed pain in the neck which seems like a stiff neck, and pain exists with any pressure from straining or lifting, also movement related pain in neck, chest and spine in the same region. No signs of infection at all, but do have extreme fatigue, back pain, some weight loss, among other varied symptoms. My Primary Dr said since no other enlarged nodes were found in other regions, he is not concerned about lymphoma.

Are there other conditions that could cause lymph nodes to be swollen for this length of time? Should I be as concerned as I feel about this, or is it more likely not related to something  serious? Is it possible to have lymphoma without nodes in other regions showing signs? Are biopsies only done when cancer is suspected? Any other info or suggestions are welcomed, I am not usually one to worry about such things, but for whatever reason this has me having some anxiety waiting for the biopsy.

[Survivor09]

I am 26 - I had lymphoma when I was 20 - it presented itself as a golf ball sized lump under my jaw by my ear - I just had a mass removed from the back of my head (I didn't even know there were lumph nodes there!) and they are running tests now.  

Those of you who say you are experiencing pain and discomfort - I know it ***** and is uncomfortable but one thing I have learned is that PAIN IS GOOD!!  Cancer does not hurt!  Worry if you have swollen nodes that are not sensitive and not causing you discomfort.  Just a little tidbit so hopefully some of you can rest easier, although I see this will make some of you even more nervous.  Just know it can be a variety of things - and even if it is cancer - cancer ***** but it is beatable!!  Pain is good - no pain means go get it checked!

[pawpaw1969]

hi just came across this site I have had muscle and joint pains for 5 weeks now have had a high temperature for a few weeks also,some chills a couple of times been in hospital for a week had a heap of tests done all negative,but my ct scan showed abnormally large lymph nodes in my chest and neck having a biopsy done tomorrrow does anyone know if it means that it is something serious i have or not i am worried.

[Anna_18]

Hi pixie6, I hope you are feeling fine
but to me, i think your problem had something to do in your GI tract, Lumps in your Neck most of the times indicates an infection (virus, bacteria) although, sometimes they are signs of malignancy or cancer. Im glad that you've checked with your doctor early to see any complications, Cancer or not , at least you got it checked out before it got worse.
If you are curious or anything about your lump, from my further research, i heard that lumps under the ear, are mostly due to infections, and not cancer, and also, if the lump is movable and doesn't feel irregular (is it smooth or rough?) then its just your lymph nodes fighting a foreign bacteria /virus.
but for now, lets wait till your bloodworks done and pray that everything is fine.

So far, if you read about my situation above, the lumps has decreased in size and i no longer experience any of the symptoms ive been feeling from the past. Although just to make sure, ill be having another ultrasounds and xrays.

I wish you all the best and whatever this maybe, you will be able to fight and conquer it
hope this helps :)
God bless

Anna  

[pixie6]

Hi all, just new to this community but I was looking through google results for answers about swollen glands and this looks to be at least a good place to talk about it.

I have a similar situation to some of the others here - back in March/April I started getting intense bloating/intestinal pain, nausea off and on, and frequent acid reflux. When I went to my doctor she prescribed a medication to combat the stomach acid, suggesting that I might have GERD.

A few weeks after that I noticed a large lump the size of a grape underneath my earlobe/along my jaw that wasn't painful and when I saw my doc again in June informed her about it and she said we should keep an eye on it. Meds for the stomach acid helped the acid decrease, I watched more of what I ate, and for the most part my bloating and lower abdominal pains subsided. I still get discomfort once in a while with pasty-type stools that are sometimes difficult to pass. Otherwise I still have the swollen lymph node and during my physical at the end of July my doc suggested scheduling a biopsy and bloodwork. I know for a fact that she's tested for a lot of different things in my blood because there were many checkmarks on the sheet she gave me.

I went on vacation for the first two weeks of August but got my bloodwork taken before I went and have an appointment next week to follow up - however, just recently in the past week I've started feeling like I can't swallow sometimes or that this node is pushing on my windpipe, also like there is something stuck in my throat. The back of my neck aches and I have post nasal drip, sometimes a dry cough, and it feels like my ears are sore...symptoms that one might normally consider in a sore throat/head cold/sinus/strep situation I guess. My question is, is there some type of infection aside from cancer (I've been giving myself anxiety attacks over cancer possibilities already), that could be causing this enlarged lymph node and tenderness/head cold type symptoms?

I have not had nausea for weeks, in fact I think only once in July did I have it for a day on and off, nor have I ever vomited, had blurry vision, no fevers, loss of appetite, or weight loss. I don't smoke, drink once a month if that, try to limit my caffeine and eat well, also exercise a few times a week. I made a chiropractic appointment tomorrow because that has helped alleviate any shoulder/neck pain I've had in the past so hopefully that will help this time. Feel tired but I don't go to bed at the same time every night so I'm not sure if that's due to any sickness.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I guess the doc will have answers about the bloodwork for sure when I see her next week but I've been nervous about this lymph node for a while and need some reassurance or some answers if anyone has them.

[Anna_18]

Hi I am 19 year old female, and I am here to tell you the experience about my enlarged lymph nodes.
It all started about 5 weeks ago when i noticed a lump on the left side of my neck. I was a bit concerned but my parents told me to wait 3 weeks and see if it decrease in size, however it didn't, in fact, more lymph nodes showed up on the bottom of the lymph node, and during that 3 weeks were getting larger and larger. I was at my upmost concern that i went to see a doctor.
He prescribed me with antibiotics and believed it was just some kind of bacterial infection. Although he made me take a blood test two weeks ago and so far none have called so I'm guessing the results are normal, and just last Friday i had an ultrasound on my thyroid area (still waiting for the results).
It is now July 28th and so far I've noticed that the first lymph node was no longer palpable and the other lymph nodes under were decreasing in size (but still palpable)
I'm a little relieved that they were decreasing in size since 5 weeks ago. Although, i am wondering if i should still be concerned?

Here are the symptoms ive experienced along with the enlarged lymph nodes:
Loss of appetite
Loose stools (worse in some days and perfectly fine other days)
Abdominal cramps
Tiredness
Neck pain
2 infected salivary glands (one after another)
and frequent mouth ulcers

Presently, the lymph node swellings has gone down (as what I've said before) and Ive been feeling better than before also, no more mouth ulcers and infected salivary glands YAY :)


I  apologize for this long note , but I greatly sympathize for others I hope I can hear from you guys and I will keep updating you on this. Thanks

Oh and for choc_aid, I would like to know about the progress of your findings and I pray that you are feeling well. We are here for the same reason and that is to find comfort that you are not alone, and whatever this thing is, it will not defeat you.
take care and god bless

[choc_aid]

I have read through many of your comments. I am sorry for everyones health issues.

I guess my story is different though. I got sick again at the end of the year, third viral infection i had in a year span and all similar symptoms between them. This concerned my doctor as my lymph nodes were also really swollen. He told me to rest and stay out of school for the week and to basically be on bed rest again. He then asked me to come back in 6 weeks to do a follow up. So I went back with still swollen lymph nodes, he said he was concerned about them and said the first thing they normally try is an extended period of antibiotics. I was put on 500mg of ceftin twice daily for 3 weeks. He also advised I take a vitamin daily (so I have been doing that) and then he said to come back in 6 weeks and if they were still an issue we would look into imaging studies. I also have a pain on  the upper left part of my abdomen that he checks in on. He originally thought it might  be a kidney problem during the 2nd viral infection I had and he did a urine test but said it checked out fine and that he was going to watch it.

Why I feel my story is different is that my doctor is the one being persistent and concerned. I think having a good doctor can make all the difference. So I would advise seeking out 2nd opinions to all, doing as your doctor requests with follow ups to see if it works, asking questions and being honest in the doctors office. and if anyone has an idea what is wrong with me please let me know. I have had my kidneys tested and had mono tests (multiple times). The antibiotics unfortunateltly didn't work and I go back in, in 3 weeks to see what my next step is in solving the mystery.

oddly searching the internet I found a lot of people who had unknown cause for swollen lymph nodes. I guess the antibiotics rule out infection of any kind for the most part. Those were some strong drugs! I guess imaging studies would rule out several more things.