Lymph nodes

Hi, I have swollen lymph nodes on my neck for about 4 weeks ago and I had a fever when it first appeared. I haven't had a fever since. I did have a sore throat but thats went like two days ago but a cough cane instead but that is easing now as well but now my neck is starting to ache around the lymph node right up to the ear and behind. The lymph node hasn't changed in size or hard. I'm worried if these are signs that I have cancer especially with aching everything I have read on Google has led to "painless or aching lumps is mainly caused by cancer" i have no idea if this is true and I know you can't diagnose anything through here I just want to know if this could sound like cancer. I'm going to get doctors advice in the next coming days I suffer from serve anxiety and I need to put my mind at ease. 

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I can appreciate your concern about your this.

    Unfortunately, I am afraid that it is not possible for me to know what this could be but it is very likely that this is not something serious. Any cancer would be uncommon and fairly unlikely in someone young for example, so try not to worry. 

    This is because the symptoms of cancer are the same symptoms for other far more likely non-cancerous common medical conditions that GP's see day to day. Lumps or lymph nodes can be caused for various reasons, such as a local skin infection, or a blocked or inflamed lymph gland (lymph node). Sometimes lymph nodes come up in response to a recent bacterial or viral infection elsewhere in the body.

    There is some useful information on the NHS website link here,

    www.nhs.uk/.../

    I would suggest that if you remain worried, or if they are sore or get bigger, that you go and see your GP as they will have a look and hopefully reassure you.

    I hope that this reply helps.

    Best wishes

    Vanda