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Swollen lymph nodes - low grade NHL?

jackie96
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Hi, I’m just looking for some advice really about what to do regarding some swollen lymph nodes.

It initially began with a single tiny lump in my neck over a year ago. Since then that has grown and a second one has developed next to it which has been growing slowly over 6 months too, and another nearby. Last week, for the first time, the 2 lumps next to each other felt a bit tender for a couple of days. Over the past 3 months I’ve also noticed a lump developing in my groin which has gotten bigger too since I first noticed it. All lumps are probably less than 2cm in size.

I have been experiencing drenching night sweats since Summer, initially a few times a month but recently more regularly, up to several times a week. Other than that, I haven’t really had any other symptoms.

I went to see my GP about it a month ago and she said they were just reactive lymph nodes and that they weren’t big enough to be of concern. She also said they should go away in about 2 months, but they have been there for months and months already so I don’t see them disappearing now. I forgot to ask if I should go back if they remain there. She did take some bloods and they were normal and stable from bloods I had 6 months ago.

I also had a full body MRI at the start of the year for something totally unrelated. Initially I thought that the MRI would pick up the lumps if they were of concern, but I’m thinking since they’re small and they weren’t really looking for them that might not be the case. Does anyone have any ideas regarding this?

I’m essentially concerned it could be a low grade lymphoma. I’m in my 20s so I don’t fit the right age group but it’s not unheard of and I feel like the way these lumps are popping up and slowly growing without an infective trigger could fit the picture of low-grade lymphoma. I just don’t know what to do because I really don’t want to go back to my GP and waste time, be told the same thing or appear like a hypochondriac, but at the same time I just feel like something isn’t quite right. I don’t have health anxiety and I’m not even really worried but I just can’t seem to forget about it, and I feel silly for it but I think just not knowing what it is gets to me.

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    Hi sorry to hear you are going through this. Only advice I can give you is please go back get them checked. I have a similar thing but not to say it's any way the same. Noticed lump on neck about 3 months ago couldn't get doctors constant telephone calls etc eventually got them to say don't worry will go away to be left inhalers as only other symptom I had was a very dry cough for months. Went to my local pharmacy chatted with him he had a look and little did I know he had called my surgery demanding I was seen. Everything has went fast from there I've had a camera up my nose down my throat again told don't worry these can stay swollen after a viral etc which really reassured me to then go for a scan and biopsy just this week for the person scanning me to say the words thyroid cancer( it's still a blur )  but biopsy is away I know it's back because I called Thursday and was told consultant was out and call he will review the results and be in touch ( still waiting ) I've been speaking to a lady on this chat who has really put my mind at ease and I'm finding the strength this week to resume normality a little more as waiting is the worst bit. If it is your thyroid like me it is rare and very treatable he did tell me that before I left the scan still don't know how he knows without them looking at the biopsy first. But the pharmacy said you should never ever leave bumps and if they have been there for weeks please go and get them looked at and please don't stress , also meant to the say the lump was my lymph node on neck but several other where picked up on the scan   If I had listening to the first advice I would of been away with my inhalers none the wiser its really best to get a proper check 

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    Hi, I would suggest you go back to your GP and ask for an ultrasound via the 2 week pathway (i.e where there is a possibility of cancer, you should have an appt within 2 weeks). The ultrasound will show whether they are reactive nodes, if they look suspicious then they can do a biopsy. I have been in the same position as you- takes a bit of pushing with the GP but a scan should put your mind at rest. I have three swollen nodes in my neck, been there since October 2020 at least, all quite small but did not come up as a response to infection. Thw scan showed them to be reactive nodes and no further action needed. Hopefully that will be the same for you. Please try and avoid touching and pushing the nodes as that makes them swell more. Good luck 

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