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Has anyone had an enlarged lymph node for six/seven years?

Anon.K
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Hi everyone, I'm new here.

I've been trying to find examples online of chronically enlarged nodes which people have had for maybe six years or more. Not much has come up; I suppose often people might get them looked at a bit sooner than that.

I have had one in the top of my thigh for roughly that long. I found it either just before or just after my last child was born, I can't remember - it felt hard-ish and lentil-sized, and I made a note but it didn't do anything, so I just kept monitoring it. After a year or two it was probably the size of a baked bean, and then a couple of years later more like a small kidney bean I suppose. It was mobile, and smooth and seemed to fluctuate a bit - I assumed because of hormones, or whatever was causing it to be enlarged in the first place. So it got a bit bigger, then smaller again.

At that point I went to the GP about it, but she wasn't able to feel it and just said watch and wait. Anyway a month or two ago it started to feel a bit uncomfortable, like it might be pressing on a nerve I suppose, and although it wasn't really noticeably larger it was bothering me; I've been able to see it through the skin for a couple of years, in certain positions, and I don't like it being there. So I went back and she could feel it this time, and said she would send me for an ultrasound. And I had blood tests which have come back more or less fine, so I'm just waiting for an appt and freaking out a bit.

Having searched it up, it seems as though it would fit the profile for Follicular Lymphoma quite well. I can't feel any other lumps anywhere, and I haven't had any B symptoms.

I suppose I'm trying to find a differential diagnosis for it other than FL, but I can't seem to come up with much - everything seems to be either about reactive nodes, which are softer and go away after a while, or malignant ones - it doesn't feel hard like I imagine a metastatic node would, and it isn't fixed. So if it isn't an indolent form of lymphoma then I'm not sure what else it could be.

If anyone else has got, or had, a weird solitary (I hope) node like this, for years and years, I'd be really interested to hear from you - even if it was malignant. Just going a bit mad I suppose.

Thanks for reading if you got this far : )

 

  • Offline in reply to Declanmc

    I first noticed these lymph nodes under my jaw when I was about 14ish but just disregarded them cos I didn't think anything of it. Year or 2 later and I noticed them in my groin neck and armpits. Never really looked into it again or bothered seeing a doctor though as it doesn't bother me and I don't experience any other symptoms whatsoever. I'm now 18 and the nodes haven't grown or anything either. I've noticed the odd one in my abdomen recently (past few months) but never get round to looking into it. Probably worth seeing a doctor tbf

  • Offline in reply to luann

    Hi there. My 7 year old has had a small lump that sometimes gets bigger when he's poorly but then goes down but it's always there if I feel it (Wich really annoys him because I check it all the time as I'm so worried) he's had it since he was about 1, well that's when I noticed it. I took him to the doctors a few times and they referred him to ENT who said it was just because he has an enlarged tonsil and children under 7 usually have them swell up constantly as they always have colds. He said they remain swollen for upto 6 weeks after the infection and by the time they come to go down they get another illness so it's back up. It still doesn't stop me from worrying like crazy all the time. It's good to read others have this too.

  • Offline in reply to Tendra157

    Hi tendra my daughter is going through the same she's 3 she's had swollen lymph nodes in her groin and neck for a year I'm really worrying as she's always poorly and tired :(

  • Offline in reply to SammyMummy

    Hi SammyMummy. My daughter was supposed to have her tonsils & adenoids removed, but she's now been moved to the back of the list! I'm furious with how they are treating people now; it seems COVID is the excuse for EVERYTHING now!!

  • Offline in reply to Tendra157

    My daughter suffers with swollen tonsils to, I think they need to take them out and biopsy them. I can't help but think she has a slow growing lymphom :( this covid is getting ridiculous is there any way u can make a complaint xx

  • Offline in reply to Anon.K

    I have had a reactive lymph node on one side of my neck for about 18 months. No other symptoms. I went for an ultrasound and MRI and nothing found that was unusual or bad. Like everyone else, have read online how they can remain permenantly (slightly) swollen but also like everyone else still feel very anxious.

  • Offline in reply to Anon.K

    Hey, im so sorry to jump on your post after so long but was just wondering how you got on with your lump in the end? So glad I seen your post. 

    I am awaiting an ultrasound/biopsy for a seemingly enlarged node at back of my neck. Been here for 5/6 years.

    Im petrified, not ate properly for past 2 weeks. Was told urgent app due to it being over 1cm hard and unmovable but seemingly urgent is up to 12 weeks now. Im in Scotland.

    So looks like another 2 months of feeling so worried lies ahead for now. Got nyaelf convinced of the worst as we do and have 4 kids that breaks my heart to wven think of the worst

     

    Thank you

    Gailx

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    I am not sure if this helps but i was diagnosed with low grade non hodking follicular lymphoma on february 2022, the tumour was 12 cm dia aprox, I didnt have any symptoms or they probably were hidden, I couldnt notice "weight loss" probably because i was exercising a lot and eating properly so I was living a normal life, i was feeling tired but i tought it was due to the miles i was running weekly nearly 10. Started having very strong back pain and i was asking my gp to have a scan to see if there was a problem with my spine and this is how nhs discovered the cancer on the spot... 

  • Offline

    Hi,

    I have also had swollen lymph nodes in both thighs at top for a number of years. I had H.Pylori about the same time I noticed the nodes. I've been to the doctors and they have just said its  multiple lymphoma and not to worry.. I've also gone to private healthcare who have said the same. After years of worrying I still believe there's something wrong and after looking up online it could possibly be stomach cancer!

    feel like I've tried my best to get it sorted but just being fobbed off and left to die!

    If there's any doctors here I'd appreciate some actual help on what and where to go from here please. 

  • Offline in reply to FairyNuff

    Ive had the same issue. 10 months in pain cos of the swelled lymph nodes. Biopsy has been done and scans. No cancer but i have a cavity in my lung and first they were telling me i hwd sarcoidosis in my eyes and lungs and because the steroids are not making me feel better, doctors now suspect its not sarcoidosis. Im so upset and confused

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