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Swollen lymph node - cause for concern?

hanjy101
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Hi all,

 

I'm a 20 year old female who's perfectly healthy (as far as I'm aware).

 

I noticed a swollen gland four months ago but thought nothing of it as I had a very sore throat at the time.

 

I have since had a sore throat twice more and currently have it, however the gland has never gone back to normal.

 

I guess I want to know; is this common and how likely is it to be cancer? (I haven't stopped checking Google)

 

it is hard and does move a bit when pressed, but I've read they can be any sort of lump. The swollen gland is on the left side of my neck.

 

I have booked a doctors appointment on Monday but I'm terrified.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

p.s. Hope everyone is keeping safe and well.

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    Hi hanjy101. Welcome to the forum.

     

    I should start out by saying that I have no medical qualifications.

     

    In general most lumps are harmless.  A lymph node usually swells up while fighting an infection and then shrinks back down again, but sometimes a node remains harmlessly swollen even though the infection is cleared. I note that you don't mention any of the "B" symptoms that often occur with lymphoma (night sweats, weight loss, fever) so I assume you don't have them. 

     

    You're doing the right thing getting it checked out, but you shouldn't be overly alarmed at this.  Your GP may send you for a routine ultrasound, but it's probably not going to be anything too serious. 

     

    Try to keep calm and stop using Google.

     

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    Hello hanjy101,

     

    I 100% agree with telemando. You're doing the best thing going to see you doctor.

     

    A few months ago (just after lockdown #1) I found a swollen lymph node under my armpit and one in my neck. Everyone tells you not to Google it, but the temptation is so strong! I had a blood test at my GP which came back clear, but as my lymph nodes had been swollen for more than a month, she referred me to haematology. 

     

    When the haematologist had a feel of the nodes, she actually described them as soft - I thought they were hard/rubbery, as per descriptions on Google. She took more bloods and sent me for an ultrasound and CT scan, both of which came back all clear. She said if it was lymphoma she would have expected me to be a lot more unwell than I was - I felt fine in myself with no other symptoms. She also said that she would have expected the node to have grown bigger in that time, particularly with the types of lymphoma in people my age - I'm 26.

     

    The knowledge, experience and opinion of the doctor is worth way more than Dr Google. Try not to get yourself worked up by what you read online - all it did for me was fuel the fire and make me feel worse. I had diagnosed myself and written myself off, all for it to be nothing in the end.

     

    I hope your appointment goes well!

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    Hi all,

     

    just a quick update...

     

    Saw the GP just now and they couldn't feel anything! They said to keep an eye on that area but sent me away with no concerns.

     

    feeling very relieved but I know not everyone is as lucky so I'm thinking about those who didn't get that result.


    hoping everyone stays safe!

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