I am a 41 year old female. A week ago I found 2 pea-size knots in the back of my neck. The dr. did blood work, which was fine, and he said it was a lymph node, but very common. Some type of viral infection. However, I am still very worried. They are not sore or tender, but still there. I go back to the dr. in 2 days. I have never had this before, and am very scared. Of course I am thinking the worst. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? Thanks!

If the lumps don't go away and there is no infection present to make the nodes swell, I would ask for a biopsy. I was diagnosed as Stage 4B. All blood tests came back normal for about a year. I never had any palpable lumps. My tumors were in my chest and were seen by xray when I developed pneumonia. I had a cough for 4 years and was told I had Asthma, when actually had several tumors near my windpipe, in my lungs and around my heart.
If you don't like the way this doctor is working with you find another who understands your concerns.
Joyce

I recently found a swollen, hard, painful lump in front of my ear, where the jaw meets the skull. Pops right out. Went to doc, he couldn't find a reason for it. Ordered blood work and sent me on my way. Its my "anterior auricular node". Still there, now hard as rock and painless. So..............what now? Ignore it?
Mom said (I am 38) if the doc would have thought it was serious he would have biopsied it right away. I have no other symptoms. Any advice? Thanks

Here's a link to lymphoma, anatomy and self-exam information.

You have several pairs of lymph nodes that can vary by size and shape depending on many factors. BTW, blood tests are not all that expensive as far as diagnostic tests go. Check the Merck manual [online] for normal ranges.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lymphaticdiseases.html