Lymph Node/Cancer/Tumor Question ** PLEASE HELP ME **?!
Question: I am a bit of a hypochondriac I admit, but I have what I believe is a swollen lymph node for about a year now! It is behind my ear. The doctor felt it and said it was a swollen lymph node (It is almost flat and 1cm x 1cm large.). He said it was nothing to worry about, but I forgot to mention how long I had it for...
Now, what I am wondering is if this could be something serious like a sign of a major disease such as cancer, lymphoma, a tumor, etc.
Since it is so small and there is only one... I don't know if it's such a SERIOUS sign... The lymph node is painless, and I am not experiencing any other symptoms that indicate I might have a problem...
Actually there might be more... there seems to be a little spec of one on the bone between the low bone and ear lobe that feels like bone, and there might be a very tiny hard bump one on the small ear flap thing above my earlobe.
All of these are on the right side of my face.
Knowing the size and details, could this be serious?
Answers: I am a bit of a hypochondriac I admit, but I have what I believe is a swollen lymph node for about a year now! It is behind my ear. The doctor felt it and said it was a swollen lymph node (It is almost flat and 1cm x 1cm large.). He said it was nothing to worry about, but I forgot to mention how long I had it for...
Now, what I am wondering is if this could be something serious like a sign of a major disease such as cancer, lymphoma, a tumor, etc.
Since it is so small and there is only one... I don't know if it's such a SERIOUS sign... The lymph node is painless, and I am not experiencing any other symptoms that indicate I might have a problem...
Actually there might be more... there seems to be a little spec of one on the bone between the low bone and ear lobe that feels like bone, and there might be a very tiny hard bump one on the small ear flap thing above my earlobe.
All of these are on the right side of my face.
Knowing the size and details, could this be serious?
I'm not a doctor, but I do recommend that you go see an ear, nose and throat specialist. What you are describing sounds more like a sinus pus pocket (drainage) than that of a lymph node, gland, etc. The sinuses often drain when there's something going on in the eustachian canal, leaving behind deposits that often need the right antibiotic treatment in order to clear it (them) up.
I've had them in the past, two were rock solid yet movable, one was not as solid and didn't move at all (i.e., from side to side). They all turned out to be drainage spots from the sinuses and were cleared by antibiotic treatment. I hope this is what you are experiencing as it's a relatively quick fix without pain. Nonetheless, go see a doctor and be sure to get the right diagnose and treatment.
Good luck.