Almost 4 years with swollen lymph nodes.

[akb]

About 4 years ago, in 2007, I noticed I had an enlarged lymph node in my left groin. I went to see a doctor who said it was nothing too worry about, most likely some form of infection. But I didn't remember having any infection so I went to see my family physician who said also nothing too worry about, but he sent me too have an ultrasound and blood tests. The blood test results showed nothing out of the ordinary and the ultrasound technician said the node was perfectly normal and was perfectly shaped, mobile and well under the abnormal limits. I don't really remember the exact measurements but I think it was 11mm (0.433 inches).

This gave me peace of mind until I noticed another lymph node in my right groin and in both armpits. I found the ones under my arms too be much larger than 1 cm and became worried. My doctor however said that everything felt normal but he wanted me too have a CT scan to see if I had any enlarged lymph nodes internally. I got the results a few days later and the technician said in his report that there was nothing out of the ordinary and the already enlarged nodes were small and reactive.

Few months had passed and I was still a bit worried, because the nodes were still there, they were NOT getting any larger but of course they were still there. My doctor wanted me too see a specialist in blood disease and related diseases, she said yet again that all the nodes felt normal but ordered another CT scan and a complete blood test. CT scan revealed nothing and the blood tests revealed nothing as well. She did tell me though that they had found some remnants of a viral infection and thought that may be the reason for the enlarged lymph nodes.
She told me that with no symptoms, other than the enlarged lymph nodes, no history of cancer in the family and that everything looked and felt normal I shouldn't be worried. But of course if any symptoms would appear I should see a doctor.

Now, almost four years later, I have no symptoms and none of the lymph nodes have gotten bigger and are all mobile, the one in my left groin has gotten smaller, I think and the one in my right groin is no longer enlarged. The ones in my armpits are still the same size. In 2008 I did notice another one on my right hip, but it feels exactly like the first one I found.

So in short: All of them mobile, one gotten smaller, one no longer enlarged, blood tests, CT scans showed nothing abnormal, no symptoms and three doctors all found them too be normal. Plus they have been there for 4 years and over those years I have gained some weight and feel much better physically then I did four years ago. But still sometimes I get a bit worried about my little lymph nodes.

What are your thoughts on this?

[davidgb]

Go get a biopsy. I did the same thing - had one node on my neck that never changed for over 4 years. Turned out to be low-grade lymphoma. PET scan revealed another one I had NO CLUE about in my left groin - nobody could feel it. Don't risk it. Go get the biopsy.

david

[ChemoMan]

Hi akb

The only way to get a diagnosis is to take one of those nodes out for biopsy, all the other tests can miss it. While I do not think you have lymphoma, it is obviously worrying you enough to justify the biopsy. If the doctor orders a needle biopsy, politely decline and insist on a full node biopsy. Hopefully you will be with the 98% of people who come here worried but leave happpy knowing they don't have cancer.

Good Luck

[akb]

Hi akb

The only way to get a diagnosis is to take one of those nodes out for biopsy, all the other tests can miss it. While I do not think you have lymphoma, it is obviously worrying you enough to justify the biopsy. If the doctor orders a needle biopsy, politely decline and insist on a full node biopsy. Hopefully you will be with the 98% of people who come here worried but leave happpy knowing they don't have cancer.

Good Luck

Thanks for your reply.

One of the nodes has reduced too it normal size, isn't that a fairly good indicator that there is nothing serious? Also I'd like to know, what is it in my post that makes you think I don't have lymphoma?

By the way, I'm turning 23 this year, male and I have never smoked or drunk any alcohol.

[ChemoMan]

Hi akb

Also I'd like to know, what is it in my post that makes you think I don't have lymphoma?

I don't think you have lymphoma because 98% of people who come here wtih suspcious symptoms, in some cases much more suspicious than yours are, leave happy as they don't have cancer. Lymphoma is rare, enlarged nodes are not. If this bothers you get that biopsy, if not just keep an eye on things and stay in touch with your docotr.

Godd luck

[davidgb]

And there is nothing to having the node removed - simple procedure, and it will give you peace of mind. Chemo is right - the odds are way in your favor, but you still need to be certain if things have been presenting for that long.

[Dorney1]

As Chemoman stated, this is highly unlikely to be Lymphoma but peace of mind warrants getting this checked out.

The fact that you're still here, alive and breathing after 4 years of swollen nodes would suggest this isn't lymphoma. The only exception to that rule is low grade but if you look at the age curve for that you'd have about as much chance of winning the lottery as getting low grade follicular lymphoma at 23!

Good luck.

James

[davidgb]

James, I am 43 and had my swollen node for 4.5 years before I finally decided to have it removed for cosmetic reasons basically. And it turned out to be grade 1 nHFL. I know there is a big diff between 23 and 43, but it still isn't worth it. So yeah, I agree peace of mind warrants getting it checked out.

[Dorney1]

I agree....I wasn't saying it's not possible....simply that it's unlikely and at 23 even more so. I would always advocate a biopsy in such situations because knowing it's nothing is better than not knowing it's something.

James

[akb]

Last year I went too my family physician and he felt my nodes and said they still feel normal and he felt that some of them have gotten smaller. I actually did ask him about slow growing lymphoma but he told me that it was almost unheard of in people as young as I am. Also, I was 18 turning 19 when I first found the nodes.

[dizzylizzy]

I'm only 22 and have lymphoma. Found the lump only a few months after my birthday. I don't think just because you are young you are in the clear. It is a cancer that can effect young people so I would also recommend a biopsy if you are concerned.

[akb]

I'm only 22 and have lymphoma. Found the lump only a few months after my birthday. I don't think just because you are young you are in the clear. It is a cancer that can effect young people so I would also recommend a biopsy if you are concerned.

I know that lymphoma can affect people of all ages. But, seeing as I have had these swellings for almost 4 years now, I have no symptoms and haven't had any significant illnesses over this period.
The last time I went too see a doctor I asked him about this, he said that because I had these swellings for such a long time, 3 years at that time, I'd would have known by now if it was lymphoma. I then asked about slow growing lymphoma, I believe this is called "low grade" and he said that those types of cancer were very rare in young people.

Also, one of the nodes. The one that was in my right groin has gone down to it's normal size, at least I can't feel it anymore.

[shakifan]

I had many nodes that went up and down for years. Many different physicians felt them and said they were mobile, normal. Until I had flu like symptoms and had one biopsied, I figured I was fine since I'd been living with it for many years. Not to scare you, but a biopsy would probably be in order just for your peace of mind. Chances are you do not have lymphoma, but these things can behave strangely. Good luck and keep us posted!

[akb]

I had many nodes that went up and down for years. Many different physicians felt them and said they were mobile, normal. Until I had flu like symptoms and had one biopsied, I figured I was fine since I'd been living with it for many years. Not to scare you, but a biopsy would probably be in order just for your peace of mind. Chances are you do not have lymphoma, but these things can behave strangely. Good luck and keep us posted!

Mine aren't going up and down, they have stayed the same and I can even say that I think the first one I felt, left groin, has actually gone down a bit. The one in my right groin has gone down too it's normal size and it has stayed that way for at least 1.5 years.

[akb]

Something just occurred to me. Like I said in the original post, the results from a complete blood test did reveal some remnants of a viral infection. I do remember that in early 2007, four years ago, I couldn't keep anything down for about 3 or 4 days. It was hell. I called my doctor who said it was very likely some sort of a virus. Could this be the cause of the swellings?

[assakinah]

Something just occurred to me. Like I said in the original post, the results from a complete blood test did reveal some remnants of a viral infection. I do remember that in early 2007, four years ago, I couldn't keep anything down for about 3 or 4 days. It was hell. I called my doctor who said it was very likely some sort of a virus. Could this be the cause of the swellings?

yup..probably it is due to infection around groin area especially urinary tract.
if it is persistent for longtime that means ur immune system doesn't strong enough to 'kick out' the virus.

[akb]

yup..probably it is due to infection around groin area especially urinary tract.
if it is persistent for longtime that means ur immune system doesn't strong enough to 'kick out' the virus.

I don't think it had anything to do with the urinary tract or anything related to that. It was more of a stomach virus, or at least it felt like that.

[ChemoMan]

I don't think it had anything to do with the urinary tract or anything related to that. It was more of a stomach virus, or at least it felt like that.

Hi akb

We could play this guessing game forever. Please see your doctor if this worries you. If it does not worry you then leave it be. I am locking this thread now as there is no need to keep going around in circles.

Good Luck

[brainman]

akb, it does sound like you shoot down all suggestions about what is wrong. I agree with ChemoMan... it is time for you to see your own doctor since no one here seems to be able to help. Good luck.