Lymph nodes in 'thin' people? Worried!

Hi all, I've been a bit of a lurker here for a while, but this is my first post. Firstly, I'm aware I've developed some anxiety about cancer over recent years. My mum had cancer twice, breast cancer then lung cancer. The lung cancer spread to her brain and she died from that, 8 weeks after I became a mum. My grandad and granny also died from cancer, and I don't have any other family, apart from my husband and daughter. So cancer feels sort of inevitable, but also terrifying given that my daughter is so young (she's only 2).

 

Anyway, over the last 18 months I have lost a lot if weight, about 60lbs in total. It's been intentional, I wanted to be healthy for my daughter. I'm now about a size 8, so quite slim, but I wouldn't say thin. I have lots of wobbly bits still! I've been the same weight for the past 5 months, only fluctuating a little bit. But over the past couple of months I've noticed more and more lymph nodes. They started in my groin, but I ignored them for a long time. The numbered of visible and palpable nodes on my groin has increased. There are now 3-4 on each side, varying in size. None huge, but the bigger ones are about marble sized, and clearly visible.

I saw the GP last week, and she also found a few nodes on both sided if my neck. Only 1 just about visible, if you know to look for it. She did lots of bloods and nentioned the possibility of lymphoma. 

Fast forward to yesterday, still waiting on blood results, I get out of the shower and see a lump under my arm on the side of my chest. Again, about marble sized. So I called the GP surgery this morning. The GP I saw last week isn't available until Thursday, but the on-call GP basically said there's nothing for me to worry about ax my blood tests were apparently fine, and it's normal to see lymph nodes when you're thin.

 

Is this true? Do thin people normally have visible lymph nodes in all these places? Is a size 8 (BMI 22 as I'm short) really considered thin? Do I need a second opinion, or should normal bloods rule out lymphoma?

 

  • Hi Aridia, really sorry to hear about your struggles!

    I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymohoma earlier this year, hopefully my experience can offer you some guidance

    I went to my GP when I felt two small non-visible lumps above my left collar bone - they felt slightly larger than a marble. I'm also quite slim, male, 5'7 60kg

    I had issues with night sweats, appetite and sickness for several months before finding the lumps. Do you have any common lymphoma symptoms? rashes? sweats? 60lb in 18 months sounds like alot of weight to lose!

    My GP was brilliant and I had an immediate appointment, she checked my groin, armpits etc and couldn't find any lumps except the ones I found on my collar bone. I can't be sure, but my bloods up until that point were pretty normal too

    She immediately made a referral and within two weeks met with a haematology consultant. Within 4 weeks I'd had a CT Scan and Biopsy, followed by a PET scan and an appointment with the haematology consultant to confirm I had stage 4 hodgkins.

    Thankfully, my last scan was clear!

    I'm no medical professional, but from my experience the lumps are something that should be checked properly. Since I scanned clear, the lumps above my collar bone can't be felt at all. In your position, I'd be kicking up a fuss with the doctor asking for a referral or at least seeing someone else in person

    Hope I helped!

  • Hi, Can I ask what happened with this for you? I have been to the doctor with swollen lymph nodes and was given a two week referral, however the haematologist said that they weren’t swollen and it was just because I was thin. I’m sure it’s true but you can only see them  (quite visibly) on one side and not the other. He has sent me for an ultrasound scan ‘to reassure me’ but thinks it’s all fine.  

     

    Thank!

  • Hi TashaGEC, 

    I noticed you were hoping to hear back from Aridia. Unfortunately Aridia hasn't been back on the forum since last year so you may not get to find out what happened.

    Swollen lymph nodes are quite a common talking point within the Cancer Chat community so it may be worth starting a new discussion or reaching out to others on more recent and/or active threads as it'll improve your chances of hearing back from others who are on the forum more regularly.

    In the meantime, I hope your referral goes well and your lymph nodes are no cause for concern.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • I’m wondering whether you discovered why your lymph nodes were prominent?

    I have prominent lymph nodes particularly under one armpit.  I had an ultrasound scan to check they weren’t cancerous and was given the all clear.  

    My doctor can’t give me a reason why they are prominent, particularly on one side, I haven’t been ill and am for and well.  He has put it down to being thin..but I still can’t help but feel anxious.  I have always been a small build and haven’t noticed them until about 6 months or so ago.  

    Would love to hear the outcome of yours and if the tests flagged up anything.

    I’m longing to find a reason so I stop worrying!

  • Offline in reply to JessBA

    *Ultrasound was to rule out breast cancer, but didn’t give a reason for prominent lymph nodes