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Swollen Lymph Nodes in Neck
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.
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.
Good points!
Hope your biopsy result will show up normal. Please let us know whatever the result is. Thanks
Hope your biopsy result will show up normal. Please let us know whatever the result is. Thanks
Greetings-
I have had a swollen lymph node on the back of my neck, adjacent to the spine for about 3 years now. I had no other symptoms. When I went to the doctor to have it checked they did an ultrasound and found it to be 12mm. A little large. The doctor said to keep an eye on it. The next year I went back for a check up and the doctor did some palpitations and said he wasn't concerned. Over the past four to six months I have noticed some swelling on the right side of my neck. When looking straight at me it is hard to see but if I crane my neck upward the swelling becomes obvious. I also began having more regular night sweats. I have a generalized anxiety disorder of which night sweats are a symptom and I also take Paroxetine which occasionally has night sweats as a side effect. Better to be safe than sorry though. I went to the doctor and they did an ultrasound and said all was normal. That made me skeptical. If everything was normal then why was my neck sticking out? I cannot feel the nodes individually only a general swelling in their location and they are not painful at all.
I went to another doctor who decided to do a CT scan with contrast of the neck. Two radiologists looked at the findings and said everything was normal. There were no apparent masses and that all the nodes were smaller than 8 mm. After consulting with the doctor we have decided to do a biopsy. We are looking to do an open biopsy since there is the risk with Fine Needle Aspiration of missing the mark. I am praying that the biopsy and hematologists report come back negative. I have a three month old son that needs his father.
That being said, for those of you out there who are worried, go and get it checked out! Don't let your doctor railroad you into not checking things thoroughly. You have to live with the consequences, he or she doesn't. We are responsible for taking care of ourselves and watching out for our health. Inaction because of fear will lead you to the worst outcomes. Let your fear push you to find the answers. That is what it is there for. This is the year 2010. It isn't 1970. If you do have cancer, it doesn't have to be a death sentence. Things may get unpleasant, painful, and ugly but your life is a battle worth fighting.
Remember too that God does work miracles. My mother has had lupus for almost 20 years and every time she goes to see a new doctor or gets blood work done by a new tech, they panic and tell her she isn't supposed to be alive. My grandfather worked in Bethlehem Steel for 30 years and has asbestosis. He lives on about 1/3 of a lung, and has done so for almost seven years. The doctor's told him he would be dead in two. My co-worker had stomach cancer which metastasized in 1990. Her prognosis was that she was unlikely to survive. She is still here, is a VP of a multi-billion dollar corporation, has lived to see her son grow up and go to college. She has been cancer free since 1991 and you wouldn't know she had ever been sick. My wife went into pre-term labor in her 24th week of pregnancy. The doctor's gave her steroids with the goal to get her to the 28th week. She carried my son the full forty and the doctors were stunned.
Miracles happen everyday.
For those without access to health care, I am so sorry for the predicament that you find yourself in. There is no justice for it and hopefully very soon, our government and people will find a way through the politics to make sure that people like you are not left behind. We all have the right to a long and happy life, sharing ourselves with those we love. I wish you all the best.
I have had a swollen lymph node on the back of my neck, adjacent to the spine for about 3 years now. I had no other symptoms. When I went to the doctor to have it checked they did an ultrasound and found it to be 12mm. A little large. The doctor said to keep an eye on it. The next year I went back for a check up and the doctor did some palpitations and said he wasn't concerned. Over the past four to six months I have noticed some swelling on the right side of my neck. When looking straight at me it is hard to see but if I crane my neck upward the swelling becomes obvious. I also began having more regular night sweats. I have a generalized anxiety disorder of which night sweats are a symptom and I also take Paroxetine which occasionally has night sweats as a side effect. Better to be safe than sorry though. I went to the doctor and they did an ultrasound and said all was normal. That made me skeptical. If everything was normal then why was my neck sticking out? I cannot feel the nodes individually only a general swelling in their location and they are not painful at all.
I went to another doctor who decided to do a CT scan with contrast of the neck. Two radiologists looked at the findings and said everything was normal. There were no apparent masses and that all the nodes were smaller than 8 mm. After consulting with the doctor we have decided to do a biopsy. We are looking to do an open biopsy since there is the risk with Fine Needle Aspiration of missing the mark. I am praying that the biopsy and hematologists report come back negative. I have a three month old son that needs his father.
That being said, for those of you out there who are worried, go and get it checked out! Don't let your doctor railroad you into not checking things thoroughly. You have to live with the consequences, he or she doesn't. We are responsible for taking care of ourselves and watching out for our health. Inaction because of fear will lead you to the worst outcomes. Let your fear push you to find the answers. That is what it is there for. This is the year 2010. It isn't 1970. If you do have cancer, it doesn't have to be a death sentence. Things may get unpleasant, painful, and ugly but your life is a battle worth fighting.
Remember too that God does work miracles. My mother has had lupus for almost 20 years and every time she goes to see a new doctor or gets blood work done by a new tech, they panic and tell her she isn't supposed to be alive. My grandfather worked in Bethlehem Steel for 30 years and has asbestosis. He lives on about 1/3 of a lung, and has done so for almost seven years. The doctor's told him he would be dead in two. My co-worker had stomach cancer which metastasized in 1990. Her prognosis was that she was unlikely to survive. She is still here, is a VP of a multi-billion dollar corporation, has lived to see her son grow up and go to college. She has been cancer free since 1991 and you wouldn't know she had ever been sick. My wife went into pre-term labor in her 24th week of pregnancy. The doctor's gave her steroids with the goal to get her to the 28th week. She carried my son the full forty and the doctors were stunned.
Miracles happen everyday.
For those without access to health care, I am so sorry for the predicament that you find yourself in. There is no justice for it and hopefully very soon, our government and people will find a way through the politics to make sure that people like you are not left behind. We all have the right to a long and happy life, sharing ourselves with those we love. I wish you all the best.
I had my appointmnet with hematologist/oncologist last week. I showed him my US results for cervical lymph nodes he said it didn't look /feel swollen to him . i asked then why did US result said like that . he said it aslo depends upon radiologist. But he said it did feel/looks swoolen to him. to make sure he did ordered CT sacn
Long Story But Make It Short As Possible...
I had actually been dealing with swollen lymph nodes since around January 2009. There was one at the back left of my neck which would get to the size of a large grape or bigger. However, after several/repeated visits to my PCM and getting sent home with a sinus infection diagnosis or a 'you have some sort of an infection' diagnosis and here are some antibiotics -- needless to say, eventually I gave up.
Around Thanksgiving/Christmas 2009 I began experiencing drenching night sweats. They were so bad I had to change my clothing and sheets religiously. My skin was horrid itchy. Sometimes it itched so bad I scratched myself until I bled. Honestly, I didn't think anything of it. I figured A. I was crazy or B. my PCM would give me some random diagnosis, so I didn't bother, plus it was the Holidays, and I wanted to focus on my children/family, rather than myself.
Well, just after this new year (2010) I started running fevers regularly. They were NEVER lower than 100.3. My concerns really started to set in at this point, however, I did nothing about it until February 13, 2010, just a matter of days ago. On January 24, 2010 I developed a cough and not only did it not go away, but it got worse, my throat started hurting, I had energy to do very little and on February 13th I noticed not only had the node on the back left of my neck grown to about the size of a golf ball, but I also had a nice lump under my chin and a sizable one in my collar bone area. These along with all my other what I called 'crazy person' symptoms. I didn't bother making an appointment, instead, I went straight to the ER as my temperature was over 103. Later on I would find out my weight loss was a symptom, even though I had thought is was due to my being been busy with work, eating/exercising better and busy in general.
The doctor at the ER was immediately concerned and ordered a chest x-ray. He came back and said he suspected either TB, pneumonia or lymphoma...
The next few days proved to be some of the most eye opening days of my life...
After Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, Bone Marrow Tests, Echo Cardiogram, Cat Scans, a Pet Scan...my final diagnosis is Stage 4-B Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I had a PICC line placed and began an ABVD chemo cycle (which I started on February 17th). They discovered the lymphoma in my mediastinum, lungs, pancreas, stomach, liver and neck. The largest were 11.4 cm, 9.8 cm and 6.9 cm. They said they hope only two cycles will be enough and if it is gone they will do two more just to be sure, so 4 months (worst case scenario 6) in all and radiation in about 6 to 8 months.. I've been informed that lymphoma has a very high cure rate. It is better if it is discovered at Stage 1 or 2, but Stage 3 and 4 have good survival rates too depending on your age and overall health.
I was discharged on February 19th. My throat is sore. I have to give myself injections in my stomach to help my white blood cells stay high and reproduce while going through chemo. I receive another treatment in about 2 weeks.
All I can say is to be proactive with your health and be stern with the doctors. If I wouldn't have be so 'agreeable' back when I noticed that first enlarged node and then so eager to give up after frustration from my doctors, I could have caught this a lot earlier. Even though it is an aggressive/bulky lymphoma and I have all the B-symptoms, initially it probably was so wide spread.
I just wanted to share my story.
I had actually been dealing with swollen lymph nodes since around January 2009. There was one at the back left of my neck which would get to the size of a large grape or bigger. However, after several/repeated visits to my PCM and getting sent home with a sinus infection diagnosis or a 'you have some sort of an infection' diagnosis and here are some antibiotics -- needless to say, eventually I gave up.
Around Thanksgiving/Christmas 2009 I began experiencing drenching night sweats. They were so bad I had to change my clothing and sheets religiously. My skin was horrid itchy. Sometimes it itched so bad I scratched myself until I bled. Honestly, I didn't think anything of it. I figured A. I was crazy or B. my PCM would give me some random diagnosis, so I didn't bother, plus it was the Holidays, and I wanted to focus on my children/family, rather than myself.
Well, just after this new year (2010) I started running fevers regularly. They were NEVER lower than 100.3. My concerns really started to set in at this point, however, I did nothing about it until February 13, 2010, just a matter of days ago. On January 24, 2010 I developed a cough and not only did it not go away, but it got worse, my throat started hurting, I had energy to do very little and on February 13th I noticed not only had the node on the back left of my neck grown to about the size of a golf ball, but I also had a nice lump under my chin and a sizable one in my collar bone area. These along with all my other what I called 'crazy person' symptoms. I didn't bother making an appointment, instead, I went straight to the ER as my temperature was over 103. Later on I would find out my weight loss was a symptom, even though I had thought is was due to my being been busy with work, eating/exercising better and busy in general.
The doctor at the ER was immediately concerned and ordered a chest x-ray. He came back and said he suspected either TB, pneumonia or lymphoma...
The next few days proved to be some of the most eye opening days of my life...
After Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, Bone Marrow Tests, Echo Cardiogram, Cat Scans, a Pet Scan...my final diagnosis is Stage 4-B Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I had a PICC line placed and began an ABVD chemo cycle (which I started on February 17th). They discovered the lymphoma in my mediastinum, lungs, pancreas, stomach, liver and neck. The largest were 11.4 cm, 9.8 cm and 6.9 cm. They said they hope only two cycles will be enough and if it is gone they will do two more just to be sure, so 4 months (worst case scenario 6) in all and radiation in about 6 to 8 months.. I've been informed that lymphoma has a very high cure rate. It is better if it is discovered at Stage 1 or 2, but Stage 3 and 4 have good survival rates too depending on your age and overall health.
I was discharged on February 19th. My throat is sore. I have to give myself injections in my stomach to help my white blood cells stay high and reproduce while going through chemo. I receive another treatment in about 2 weeks.
All I can say is to be proactive with your health and be stern with the doctors. If I wouldn't have be so 'agreeable' back when I noticed that first enlarged node and then so eager to give up after frustration from my doctors, I could have caught this a lot earlier. Even though it is an aggressive/bulky lymphoma and I have all the B-symptoms, initially it probably was so wide spread.
I just wanted to share my story.
Ok here is what I am going through and need some advice. I have recently moved which in turn I had to find a new doctor. For a few years now I have had swollen lymph nodes sometimes they bother my breathing and it will cause me to choke when taking medications or eating. I had asked my prior doctor about them several times she blew me off. So far I have been diagnosed with MS, Crohns Disease, Optic Nerve Athrophy ( i am now legally blind) Rheumatiod arthritis, panic disorder, regional complex pain syndrome and PTSD. When I went to this new doctor I asked for a Mammo because I had found a lump and my mother is a breast cancer survivor. The mammo was ordered and it has come back as suspicious. They are doing another one in two weeks. On my return visit she was training a new nurse practicioner who checked my neck and noticed the swollen lymph nodes. I had all but written them off because my old doctor told me not to worry about them, though she never did any tests to check on them. This new doctor ordered a cat scan without dye because i am allergic to the dye. I got the results yesterday she said that I have several(to many to count) lymph nodes swollen from my head to my chest. Most of them are larger than 1 cm most of them are actually close to 2 cm. She wants to order a pet scan as soon as the mammo is complete also she wants to send me to a surgeon once the tests are completed and she also wants to send me to a hematolgy/oncology guy. She said at this point she does not know what it is so at least she is being honest. I will list my symptoms below if anyone can give me any insight as to where to search on this I would appreciate it.
symptoms
legally blind
painful joints
headaches (severe)
ringing in ears
cold all the time
tired constantly
confusion sometimes think this is headache related
swollen joints
unexplained lumps and rashes
swollen lymph nodes (they are not painful)
loose the use of my hands frequently
unable to speak in a normal fashion (sometimes its like i cant get the words out, they are there but don't come out)
dizziness
vomiting
abdominal pain
diarrhea
chest pain
burning throughout my body
trouble sleeping
swollen face
dislocating joints
I think I hit all the symptoms but not sure, there are so many I never can hit them all.
symptoms
legally blind
painful joints
headaches (severe)
ringing in ears
cold all the time
tired constantly
confusion sometimes think this is headache related
swollen joints
unexplained lumps and rashes
swollen lymph nodes (they are not painful)
loose the use of my hands frequently
unable to speak in a normal fashion (sometimes its like i cant get the words out, they are there but don't come out)
dizziness
vomiting
abdominal pain
diarrhea
chest pain
burning throughout my body
trouble sleeping
swollen face
dislocating joints
I think I hit all the symptoms but not sure, there are so many I never can hit them all.
Hi,
My Daughter is 12 years old and when she was 2 years old she had some swollen lymph nodes that at the time her pediatrician said appeared to be completely normal other than swollen. In 2007 once again she had swollen lymph nodes this time much larger and in her grion area. We did some blood test and a ct scan and they couldn't find any cause for the swelling of the lymph nodes. It took approxitmetly a year before those nodes would return to normal size but because we lost medical insurance were unable to further any treatment. Three years later the swollen lymph nodes are back again this time in the back of her head , so I took her to a Dr.. After a full physical and lots of questions the Dr. found 3 more swollen nodes , my daughter is complaining of being tired all the time , restless at night and having night sweats. The Dr. ordered lots of bloodwoork . I am trying not to over analyze anything. But I don't want to overlook anything either. My baby has the poor misfortune of having a family history of autoimmune diseases (lupus,sjogrens disease) from my mother and I. The Dr. I beleive is covering everything she can .I pray eveything is NORMAL....
My Daughter is 12 years old and when she was 2 years old she had some swollen lymph nodes that at the time her pediatrician said appeared to be completely normal other than swollen. In 2007 once again she had swollen lymph nodes this time much larger and in her grion area. We did some blood test and a ct scan and they couldn't find any cause for the swelling of the lymph nodes. It took approxitmetly a year before those nodes would return to normal size but because we lost medical insurance were unable to further any treatment. Three years later the swollen lymph nodes are back again this time in the back of her head , so I took her to a Dr.. After a full physical and lots of questions the Dr. found 3 more swollen nodes , my daughter is complaining of being tired all the time , restless at night and having night sweats. The Dr. ordered lots of bloodwoork . I am trying not to over analyze anything. But I don't want to overlook anything either. My baby has the poor misfortune of having a family history of autoimmune diseases (lupus,sjogrens disease) from my mother and I. The Dr. I beleive is covering everything she can .I pray eveything is NORMAL....
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