What could be this be if it's not lymphoma?

Coatimundi

I am a 26 year-old male. I have had a small movable lump on my left collarbone for perhaps ten years, which I believed to be benign and thus never had examined. In the last six months, several new lumps of the same nature have appeared in the area around my neck and jaw, mostly on the right side. Of ten lumps, three have disappeared and seven have remained--they are remaining at a constant size. The only thing that makes me wonder whether these are enlarged lymph nodes is the fact that two of the lumps are on my back, near the spine.

I would have had them examined sooner, but I have no health insurance and no regular physician. I'm in the process of finding such now, because the most recent lump, on my jawline, is larger and more irritating than the others. The lumps are not sore to the touch except for this most recent one, and I suspect that's because it's in a location where it doesn't have much room and is therefore stretching the skin.

I have no other symptoms associated with lymphoma, so I was wondering what the chances are this could be something else. I have not been sexually active and have had no recent diseases. I read about lymph nodes being enlarged for a number of reasons, but most of them imply that they will go away again within a few weeks or that they will be sore. What could this be, if not lymphoma?

Orange Agent

Hi Coatimundi

Yeah, it can be tough to get medical attention without insurance, but at least some hospitals have income levels posted for whom they will provide free (or near free) medical attention. Even if you don't qualify, this is still potentially serious enough that I strongly advice you to get it checked out and just pay them the best as you can.

I did not have a doctor either so I took the plunge by going (three years ago) to the emergency room of the local hospital. They keep me all day and took every test they could think of. Not particularly a 'feel good' experience but at least by the end of the day I knew what the situation was. In my case they referred me to an oncologist who came into the area once a week (It worked for me).

In your case you already have youth going for you (I was in my late 60's, and it does make a difference).

Good Luck.

Burt
_________________
Burt

Cookiely · New User Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 6

I would suggest first to check with a physician but it could be a lypoma which are fatty tumors. They run in our family. Some get extremely large. My uncle has them all over his body. Several on his face and some on his back. My aunt and I who are the same age have identical ones on our left waist. They get them removed if they become uncomfortable. The one on my waist has been the same size for years.

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lymphoma - Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others