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Enlarged axillary node, clean CBC now even more worried

BobJazi
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Hello,

I have had an enlarged node under my right armpit for almost a week, 2 nodes to be exact within the same area. One is around 1cm long and 5mm wide and one 5mm round, painful and movable. Had my appointment with a GP and he requested a CBC and Liver panel as to him my liver seems slightly enlarged.

liver panel came back perfectly normal and my CBC as well with the exception of monocytes being at a 9 instead of 8.

GP dismissed me and said to just wait another 2 weeks to see if the nodes decrease in size, he as well stated that the size of the node are within normal range even though I suddenly am able to feel them and they do hurt. I have been diagnosed with Carcinophobia so honestly the clean CBC made me even more worried and I have pretty much surrendered to the fact that I have lymphoma.

Should I be seeking and insisting on further testing or is this normal procedure to “wait” and see? I have been unable to function properly and this is spiraling me into a depression big time :(

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    Hello BobJazi, 

    Poor you, it sounds like it is a really worrying time for you but it's reassuring that your tests came back normal. As it sounds like this is making you feel a bit health anxious, try to resist the temptation to look anything up online as this will only make you worry even more and will give you unreliable reasons to imagine the worst and least likely scenario. You seem to have convinced yourself that you have lymphoma but rest assured that there are so many other possible explanations to your enlarged axillary node  and it's a good sign that your doctor doesn't seem to be too worried. You could try and do what your GP suggested and wait and see whether the nodes decrease in size but if this approach is making you too anxious and makes you unable to function properly, I would suggest you try and seek a second opinion and talk to another doctor about this just for peace of mind. You could ask whether they think that further testing is necessary. You can read more about getting a second opinion on this page.

    I hope that you get some clarity on this very soon and that it all turns out to be nothing concerning.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Thank you so much for your kindness and advice, here is an update. One of the lumps has completely disappeared and the larger of the two has shrunk down form 7mm to 4mm.

    Feeling better about my prognosis, however I do believe I will be seeking additional help for my Carcynophobia as this episode has proved to be completely debilitating. 

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