When do Nodes return to Normal - Lymphomas Message Board

nanci2539 · 04-28-2004, 10:38 AM

I posted a few times and read from one thread that a node is suppose to return to normal in 4-6 weeks.

First, what does a swollen node that warrants attention feel or look like?

I have had a "BB" size node on the right side of my neck since last November.
I had a surgeon check it in January and he said it was nothing, what they call a reactive node. I did have a bad cold in November when I noticed it.
It's movable and hasn't changed since that time.

I sort of forgot about it so I can't tell you if it ever went away. A few weeks ago, I came down with a bad head cold and scratchy throat. I noticed it was there again and like mentioned, I don't know if iit ever went away. I feel it more in a sitting position than I do when I stand. I still have some lingering symptoms of the cold. The only other issue is I have a tingerling in my neck which radiates to the back of my neck. This could be from lifting my grandson (who is heavy) or working out with bands in the gym.

I know the signs of a lymphoma - my late husband had Hodgkins. Because of this, I am totally stressed.

Should I see another doctor? Other than what I explained, I feel fine. I just don't know if feeling a node at the size I feel it warrants attention. I don't want to be a hypochondriac but then I also want to be on the side of caution.

If there is a medical person on this board, can you explain in lay man's terms what a reactive node is and how long should you have it?

ysco · 04-28-2004, 12:11 PM

"BB size" (a bit less than 0.5 cm if I understood right) node is nothing you should worry about, especially since you mentioned it did not change in size. It is definitely in the range of normal node size, so it may have been there all the time but you got to notice it just recently. I am not a doctor but I can explain you that "reactive" nodes is what doctors define as normal lymph nodes swelling due to infectious causes (virus, bacteria, inflammation etc.), but not cancer. This is how the body reacts to the infection while it fights it off.
Worrisome (possibly of cancer origin) nodes charaterisitics are being large (and continuously enlarging), hard, usually fixed, non-tender and painless.

I can understand what you are going through, and I'm sorry again to hear about your husband, but in your case, you did not mention anything that turns on a red warning light. So seeing a doctor is upon to your judgement, I think you'd be just fine without too.