lymph node questions - Lymphomas Message Board

serpentgirl · 07-17-2004, 08:17 AM

Hi again everyone,

I am a 26 year old woman who noticed four painless, moveable, rubbery nodes in the submandibular (I think) region of my neck last week. They are clustered together and each about the size of a baked bean or tic tac (about 1 cm). When I put my head back all the way it looks like I have a bump about the size of an almond. I've been told by people here and others not to worry about it unless it gets bigger, so now I'm constantly looking at it to see if it's grown. I'm driving my self crazy. I've been trying not to touch it, but it is so difficult. I can feel the nodes sometimes when I swallow and sometimes it feels like there's pressure on the skin sometimes for no reason. I don't know if this is because I touched it so much the first 5 days (and occasionally there after) or if it is growing and I'm not noticing it visually because it's growing slow. I don't remember having this feeling before I noticed the bump in a mirror, but then again I wasn't paying attention to it. My question is, generally how fast do lymphomas grow? I know every person is different, but is it more common for a large lump to appear quickly or does it usually happen more gradually?......My next question is, has anyone every heard of allergies causing the kind of nodes I have? I was on antibiotics last week and they did nothng, plus I feel fine, so I don't think this is from an infection. I know all kinds of things can cause enlarged nodes, but is allergies one of them? I've had a constant post nasal drip for 2 years and it was really heavy along with some coughing and sneezing the night before I found the nodes......Thirdly, I three other nodes, hard and enlarged to about 1 cm, on the other side of my neck. They are each isolated in different places and never grew after a long period of time, so I never worried about them. 2 are fixed, one is moveable. Could it be possible I just have a problem with nodes?......Lastly, I got a CBC test done a week ago. My doctor said he'd get back to me with the results, but I still haven't heard anything. I've been so worried. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for these test results to come back?.....I'm sorry for all the questions. I am just quite nervous. I can't stop thinking about all this. The people here are very kind and helpful in answering questions, so I thought I'd see what you all thought....

Thank you so much,
-S

serpentgirl · 07-17-2004, 08:43 AM

I CAN'T READ THE METRIC SYSTEM! Okay I feel stupid now. I estimated in my post that my nodes were 1 cm, but then I pulled up an on line ruler and saw that they are actually a bit smaller - 5 to 7 mm. It's been a long time since I worked with the metric system. SORRY!!!

Marimac · 07-17-2004, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by serpentgirl

I CAN'T READ THE METRIC SYSTEM! Okay I feel stupid now. I estimated in my post that my nodes were 1 cm, but then I pulled up an on line ruler and saw that they are actually a bit smaller - 5 to 7 mm. It's been a long time since I worked with the metric system. SORRY!!!

Although your doctor has to have the final say, nothing conclusive can be decided by how a lymph node feels or looks, it must be biopsied. Blood test results do not define lymphoma they just contribute to the information regarding the state of your blood ie: enough iron, enough infection fighting elements etc. A post nasal drip can cause infection or plain inflammation. Inflammation can lower in the white count and still not be a severe medical problem. Node sizes are not important if they are cancerous. Nodes can be large and still be merely reactive. Biospy where cancer is actually seen at the microscopic level is the definintive answer.

lob · 07-18-2004, 10:14 AM

Hi

I am afraid that I don't know any of the answers to your questions. I can however totally understand what you are going through in terms of waiting for your results. I get mine in the next couple of days having had lump removed from under my arm on Monday. For months I drove myself mad with worry (and still am...) Just wanted to wish you all the best and try not to worry about what you don't yet know (I know it's easier said than done!!). The only way you will get your answers is from your doctor. Maybe make an appointment to chase those results and to get some propper advice.

Very best wishes...
xxx