Help

Ok, here is the situation, it's not to long, but hopefully somone can give me some answers. Anyway, I am a 24 year old male. I got my first swollen lymph node probably around 99-00, anyway, since then I have more nodes swollen on my neck, the original behind my right ear and one above my right collar bone. I have been to my family doctor a few times over the years, as sometimes it bothers me, even though I have no overall weight loss, I am not fatigued and to my knowledge I am fine. My weight is around 175 and has been around that number by 10 pounds or so since I graduated High School. However, recently people keep telling me my face looks thin and such, however my weight has not changed. About two months ago I went to the family doctor again, he did full blood work with a good amount of everything checked off, including some type of lymph levels or somthing. He called and told me everything came back fine. Anyway, knowing that I have had these lumps for going on years, and my blodo work came back normal, what am I to think, should I have a biopsi, am I just worrying too much?

I would definetly want one of those lymph nodes biopsied. I don't know how the doctor can assume they are nothing and not check them out. I had lymphoma in 2001. I had to be very persistent with the doctor to get to the bottom of my problem. Finally, I ended up in the emergency room with a high temp and vomiting. The ER doc said, "Well, the flu has been going around". I told him that I had not had the flu for a solid 3 months and they needed to find out what was wrong. It was only then that they did blood work and a CT scan of my abdomen and found the tumor. They removed it that night and chemo was initiated soon. Then 4 years later, in 2005, I had a swollen tonsil. I was first diagnosed with pharyngitis. The doc gave me antibiotic and I could talk again. I still had the swollen tonsil. I went to a Redi Med. He said it was viral and would be gone in 10 days. Well it wasn't. I went back to my doctor and told her that I wanted to make sure the lymphoma was not back. She sent me to the ENT who did a tonsillectomy and didn't preserve it well enough to get a final diagnosis. Then they had to remove my cervical node and finally came up with the diagnosis of lymphoma. I have gone through a stem cell transplant this time which includes very high dose chemotherapy and irradiation. So I guess the moral to this story is that this is your body, your life, and you need to be persistent with the doctors until you are satisfied. If they don't search far enough, it is sad that they loose a patient, but the patient looses his life. Hang in there and be persistent! If this doctor doesn't satify your need to be thorough, get a second opinion from an oncologist.

These are symptoms typically associated with Lymphoma:
painless swollen lymph nodes, in the neck, chest, armpit, groin or spleen.
Sweating and/or fever, especially at night.
Abnormal tiredness.
Weight loss.
Loss of appetite.
Persistent itching.
Persistent cough.
Persistent breathlessness (especially if the chest is affected).

These symptoms are vague and can be attributed to other causes. There is no effective blood test for lymphoma. MOST swollen lymph nodes are NOT lymphoma. However the only way to definatively diagnose lymphoma is to biopsy the affected lymph node.
So, if I had recurring swollen nodes or nodes that stayed swollen for a long time (months), I would request a biopsy.

The others are giving you great advice and you need to pursue a biopsy and either a) find out what the issue is or b) find out all is well and be happy!!!

My husband went through horrible diagnosis (I wrote this up on a reply to another post) and you know what I think he had cancer for many many years. I remember him having night sweats when he was in his 20's.

My husband has the same rare type of Lymphoma, ALCL as Mr. T and the 22 year old Boston Red Sox pitcher who was recently diagnosed. Lymphomas are getting more prevalent cancers (most likely due to chemicals and other things in our environments).

If it is anything, don't panic, cancer is bad, but not as bad as it used to be. Key is early diagnosis and the more aggressive forms of Lymphoma are actually more treatable. Medical science is making great strides and discovering new treatment methods; the face of cancer treatment is expected to change immensely (for the better) over the next 10 years.

Best of luck to you and I wouldn't give up until I had an answer.

ForgottenFL