Hi all. I have had this lump in my throat for about 3 months now. I have been treating it like a pimple, and at times it appears to grow smaller. When I touch it a lot (checking it's size) it's seems to grow bigger again. It has never gotten larger than it was prior to me believing it was getting smaller. It is not visible to the eye, but is felt just below the surface.

Recently I went to a doctor on my campus and he thinks it's a lymph node. I don't think that the doctor's at my campus are very skilled to begin with, you can sort of tell those things by the staff, environment, etc.

Needless to say I am seriously worried. I am 18, and I know I do NOT have an infection because I was recently tested for H. Pylori and I was negative for any form of infections they can tell from that blood work.

There is only one lump. It is located in my actual throat area, not neck. If you place your finger on your bottom lip slightly over to the left from the center and drag it down to about 1-2" from where a male's adam's apple would be, that's where it's at.

I didn't think that lymph nodes were located here. I know lymph nodes are scattered throughout your body, but I didn't think right by your throat, maybe a centimenter from my esphogus area. I've looked at several pictures of the lymphatic system the best being at Body Atlas website.

Does that picture show the entire lymphatic system? If it does, then my lump isn't located on one of those blue lines. It is also movable when touched, is painless, regular colored, close to the skin, and at times I could've sworn was getting smaller. I also don't have any symptoms of lymphoma (my appetite's healthy, I am not anemic, I haven't lost any weight, I don't suffer from night sweats, etc)

I am REALLY scared, and my schoolwork is suffering because of this. I have an appointment with an ENT specialist on the forth of September. Please let me know if you have any imput on if lymph nodes are located here, the possible causes, how biopsies are done (can they do it the day I go in on the 4th), etc.

I will try and respond again Monday.

Thanks,
BLG



[This message has been edited by bobby_labonte_girly (edited 08-22-2003).]