Hard Lump For 5 yrs

[Confused80]

Hi All,

I'm new here and mainly just have a few questions. I will give you a run down of my situation.

I think it was 2007 I noticed a hard lump in my neck, behind my jaw bone and under my ear. It didn't hurt, though it really is rock hard. I went to the dr and was told it was just a swollen lymph node probably due to a virus and not to worry.

I did that. Fast forward to now and it's still there and has grown slightly. It's still not painful, though I got a new dr to check it because I have had a wide range of unexplained additional symptoms.

I had a ultrasound today and he also said "oh it's just a lymph node." This was just the technician and not the dr though it annoyed me.

I haven't been sick with a virus for a long time so I was sure if it was due to that it would have gone down?

My other symptoms are weight loss without trying, really tired and rectal bleeding. I'm going for a colonoscopy soon to find the cause of that. The only other thing is I get night sweats only when I drink.

I know no one can diagnose me, I'm just wanting to know if it's possible for a lymph node to stay that hard and swollen for so many years??

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

[Kermica]

I know no one can diagnose me, I'm just wanting to know if it's possible for a lymph node to stay that hard and swollen for so many years??

Hi Confused and welcome. Honestly, anything is possible when it comes to lymphoma. I suspect that the node is probably due to something else but the only way to know for sure is to have an excisional biopsy done on the tissue, have you asked anyone about that possibility? Combined with the night sweats and weight loss, the procedure could certainly be justified, in my view.

I would certainly get that colonoscopy done, for sure. Bottom line is that you are responsible for your care and, if you are not satisfied that they are "getting it" you need to be the squeaky wheel that makes them listen and respond. There is no substitute for this.

Let us know how you get on and good luck.

Good health,

kermica

[Confused80]

Hi Confused and welcome. Honestly, anything is possible when it comes to lymphoma. I suspect that the node is probably due to sommething else but the only way to know for sure is to have an excisional biopsy done on the tissue, have you asked anyone about that possibility? COmbined with the night sweats and weight loss, ythe procedure could certainly be justified, in my view.

I would certainly get that colonoscopy done, for sure. Bottom line is that you are responsivle for your care and, if you are not satisfied that they are "getting it" you need to be the squeaky wheel that makes them listen and respond. There is no substitute for this.

Let us know how you get on and good luck.

Good health,

kermica

Hi Kermica,

Thanks for your fast reply. I will for sure be pushing this. My grandma (dads) had throat cancer and my grandma (mother) had bowel cancer. I'm not overly concerned, I just like to inform myself well because I haven't had much luck with helpful doctors.

Then there is our intuition, we just know something isn't right.

May I also ask, do you know if lymphoma has been known to cause lesions on the brain? I have four, I was diagnosed with MS but my new neurologist isn't so sure.

Thanks for your help.

[Kermica]

May I also ask, do you know if lymphoma has been known to cause lesions on the brain? I have four, I was diagnosed with MS but my new neurologist isn't so sure.

Confused, that is within the realm of the possible. there are a couple of types of lymphoma that may manifest in the brain including Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma as well as various types seen in AIDS patients. Most CNS Lymphoma presents in the spinal column and nervous system but can present in the brain. This is a pretty rare occurance, though.

I am going to say again that they thing you need to be pressing for is a biopsy. Until that is done, everything else is speculation. Speculation is a lot like assume...it makes everyone involved look a bit foolish when all is said and done.

Ask your doctor when he/she will be scheduling a biopsy and let us know what they have to say...

Good health,

kermica

[davidgb]

Greetings. Go request a biopsy. I had a node on the side of my neck for five or six years or longer. None of my doctors were ever concerned. I heard all the same stuff - just a swollen node, maybe a cyst, nothing to be concerned about, could take it off but it could cause nerve damage in the area and would be just a cosmetic procedure. My node never really changed that I know of. I suppose it might have gotten microscopically larger over time, but I never knew. I had no other symptoms ever. When I finally did have it biopsied I discovered I did in fact have indolent grade 1 follicular lymphoma. I had one other lesion in my groin that I never knew was there.

I tell you this because you should stop messing around and get the thing removed for biopsy. Most likely it is not lymphoma, but you need to get that done tomorrow.

[Confused80]

Confused, that is within the realm of the possible. there are a couple of types of lymphoma that may manifest in the brain including Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma as well as various types seen in AIDS patients. Most CNS Lymphoma presents in the spinal column and nervous system but can present in the brain. This is a pretty rare occurance, though.

I am going to say again that they thing you need to be pressing for is a biopsy. Until that is done, everything else is speculation. Speculation is a lot like assume...it makes everyone involved look a bit foolish when all is said and done.

Ask your doctor when he/she will be scheduling a biopsy and let us know what they have to say...

Good health,

kermica

Thanks again Kermica!

I agree with you completely, sometimes I can't help thinking....."Hmmm I wonder." LOL Tomorrow I go for a full MRI of the brain and spine with and without contrast so some of my questions may be answered there.

I haven't heard from my Dr yet, though I will call today and push for the Biopsy. I think they will refer me to a ENT for that.

I will keep you updated and thanks again for your help.

[Confused80]

Greetings. Go request a biopsy. I had a node on the side of my neck for five or six years or longer. None of my doctors were ever concerned. I heard all the same stuff - just a swollen node, maybe a cyst, nothing to be concerned about, could take it off but it could cause nerve damage in the area and would be just a cosmetic procedure. My node never really changed that I know of. I suppose it might have gotten microscopically larger over time, but I never knew. I had no other symptoms ever. When I finally did have it biopsied I discovered I did in fact have indolent grade 1 follicular lymphoma. I had one other lesion in my groin that I never knew was there.

I tell you this because you should stop messing around and get the thing removed for biopsy. Most likely it is not lymphoma, but you need to get that done tomorrow.

Hi David!

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you that I should push for a Biopsy, and Im going to try my hardest today. I know they will refer me to a ENT for it so I will just push to get it dont as fast as I can.

Like I said Im not overly concerned but I know because its hard and has been there so long it needs to be looked at further. One of the other reasons I went to the Dr also was because I was having a feeling of fullness in my throat and like something is stuck in there.

This feeling is no where near the lump but I know I shouldn't have those issues.

Its nice to know that I have every right to push further because Drs do indeed get it wrong sometimes.

Looking back do you think you had anything else that may have pointed to it being Lymphoma?

Thanks for your help!

[Confused80]

Hey Guys,

I just wanted to let you know I went to the Dr yesterday. He told me he was referring me to a ENT/Surgeon to have the lump biopsied. I will keep you updated when I go. Hopefully its all nothing.

Thanks for your help again.

[Didee]

I am so glad you are having the biopsy. My fingers are crossed for you.

[Confused80]

I am so glad you are having the biopsy. My fingers are crossed for you.

Hi Didee and thanks! I see you are from NSW, Australia! I am also from there! )

I have my fingers, toes and everything in between crossed! LOL

I have had a lot of odd health things going on in the last two years so Im hoping to get this all sorted soon.

I had a full MRI last Thursday and my Neurologists said "I really don't think you have MS", I asked what would be causing the lesions similar to MS and he said he's not sure. Then he went on to say a weird statement I wasn't expecting, "I don't think you have Cancer, but we will get you in for a follow up." Hmmm?

Oh well, I'll take it as it comes. It's all I can do. ) I had a chest X-Ray yesterday also, because I've come down with some weird chesty flu'E thing.....I have had it about four times this year and it changes my voice......I sound like a man! LOL

I get my MRI report in the mail today, so I will see what the radiologist report says. One Neurologist says yes MS the next says No.

I'm not sure this is all connected, but because I have no definate answers....forward I go!

Thanks All!

[Kermica]

I just wanted to let you know I went to the Dr yesterday. He told me he was referring me to a ENT/Surgeon to have the lump biopsied. I will keep you updated when I go. Hopefully its all nothing.

Confused, this is excellent news! I hope the procedure is simple and straightforward and that the results are negative. If they are not, we are here for you so let us know how you make out with everything.

Good health,

kermica

[Confused80]

Confused, this is excellent news! I hope the procedure is simple and straightforward and that the results are negative. If they are not, we are here for you so let us know how you make out with everything.

Good health,

kermica

Hi Kermica,

Thanks so much! I hope so too and I will keep you all informed. Its nice to know, that if it is what I don't want it to be I will have some awesome support!

Thanks!

[addictress]

Greetings. Go request a biopsy. I had a node on the side of my neck for five or six years or longer. None of my doctors were ever concerned. I heard all the same stuff - just a swollen node, maybe a cyst, nothing to be concerned about, could take it off but it could cause nerve damage in the area and would be just a cosmetic procedure. My node never really changed that I know of. I suppose it might have gotten microscopically larger over time, but I never knew. I had no other symptoms ever. When I finally did have it biopsied I discovered I did in fact have indolent grade 1 follicular lymphoma. I had one other lesion in my groin that I never knew was there.

I tell you this because you should stop messing around and get the thing removed for biopsy. Most likely it is not lymphoma, but you need to get that done tomorrow.

Wow, 5 or 6 years???

Did the pathologist find effacement of the node architecture, or did they only find out about the diagnosis through immunohistochemical testing and flow cytometry?