Lump on back of neck

Nora_Lee · 06-17-2002, 01:16 PM

Hi,
I'm new here. I just signed up.
I have a lump on the back of my neck, just between my spine and my hairline, on the left side of my neck. I think it might be a lymph node, but i'm not sure. It has been there since the beginning of December 1999. I am 17, and i have not told my parents, and i have not gone to a doctor about it. It's only about a centimeter in diametre. Sometimes it will get slightly larger than other times, but not by much. Lately it has been hurting a bit. It is fairly firm also. There is another smaller, harder lump right above that one.
I was wondering if anyone might have any advice for me or anything. I have wondered before if it could be cancer, but i have never been to a doctor about it. The main reason i have not told my parents is coz i don't really talk about my health much, and i really don't like going to the doctors.
Thanks for any advice i can get.
God Bless,
Nora

p.s. i know this is a long post for a newbie who dosen't know anyone, but thanks for listening.

Jay Tor · 06-17-2002, 04:47 PM

Bumps can be caused by a number of different things. However, even a benign bump can be hazardous simply because of its size or location. Anything that may interfere with your spine really should be looked into.

Suggest you read up on the blood/lymphatic system and bone/joints at this link and get a better idea of what may be going on. Then, I hope you speak with your parents and see your doctor.
[url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html[/url]

Jay

Nora_Lee · 10-30-2002, 01:37 PM

OK, so i'm replying to my own message.
I've not gone to a doc or anything yet.
I was wondering about something else now. Should you be able to feel the lymph nodes right above your collar bone without pressing very hard? I mean like not putting any pressure at all on them. I can sometimes. I'm wondering if it might be the angle i am sitting at at the time or what? Can the way you sit and lean on your arm make them more able to be felt?
Anyway... thanks for your time...
God Bless,
Nora

Jay Tor · 11-03-2002, 12:57 PM

In general, it should be fairly easy to feel or 'palp' lymph nodes. That's what doctors usually do during a regular physical exam. What they check for includes: size, shape, texture [lumpiness], symmetry [nodes on both sides of the body should be about the same in all ways] and number [sometimes it may seem that there are more nodes than there should be.]

However, since there are other organs, glands and tissues nearby, it is best to have this evaluation performed by an expert - your doctor. For the same reason, a positive lymphoma diagnosis is usually made only after you've had blood tests [CBC Diff], diagnostic imaging [X-ray, CT scan], lumbar puncture [spinal tap] and, sometimes, a biopsy. After all, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment are nothing to take lightly.

Denise F · 11-07-2002, 04:19 PM

You should have it checked out, but it is probably
nothing so don't worry. You might go to your school
nurse she could give you a better idea if it should
really be checked by a Dr.
Don't worry about telling your parents if the school
nurse thinks it should be checked out she'll probably
send home a note.

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