Lymphoma..?

For the past 3 weeks I have been having drenching night sweats, itchiness all over my body with no signs of a rash, fevers, chills, loss of appetite, and extreme fatigue. I also discovered a hard lymph node in my groin area. Since then, the node has gotten bigger and harder, the symptoms have worsened, and I have also developed another hard lymph node around the same area. I was concerned about these symptoms so I went to see my GP, who said I was showing signs of lymphoma and sent me to get a blood test. Yesterday, the results came back and I met again with my GP. My white cell count was 6.7, which I was told is well within the normal range. She then said that because my blood count was normal, there are no chances of me having lymphoma and sent me on my way, saying that I will be fine and will get better on my own. I was a little bit disturbed by this as my symptoms are worsening and the nodes continue to get bigger. Am I worrying too much or should I get a second opinion?

my doctor said that although I have all the symptoms, that there is no possible way that a person with a normal WBC count could have cancer so a biopsy isn't needed. what worries me is that the nodes are hard, not softer like with an infection

Get a second opinion!!!! When they found my cancer, I had a swollen lymphnode in the groin. Because it got so large, it caused my leg to swell...which moved up the right side of my body, to my abdomen. I had a CT scan done, and when I got the results, my doctor told me that if she had gone by my bloodcounts alone, she would NEVER have suspected cancer...the swelling was what got their attention, to get a CT scan. Find someone else to go to!!
I wish you well!!

when in doubt, get a second opinion...

get a second opinion- the node could be infected and need to be drained-

What did your Dr say about the swollen node? Why did he not want to biopsy the node?

Your WBC is only one symptom and since you have so many other potential lymphoma symptoms I find it very strange that your Dr did not even entertain the possibility of you having some type lymphoma. Did he explain his thinking other than saying your WBC was fairly normal?

It is odd that your Dr would not investigate further considering you have the swollen node, itching and night sweats. These symptoms shout possible Hodgkin's or lymphoma. You may have something else but unless your symptoms disappear and the node goes down in the next day or so you need to seek a second opinion in the very near future. good luck

http://www.lymphoma.org/site/pp.asp?c=ch...

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conten...

good luck

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in January 2003 and am now 5 years out and doing fine after having chemotherapy and radiation therapy soon afterward. I was having chest pain and an x-ray (later CT-scan) showed a mass in my chest. The only way they were able to determine I had cancer was by operating room biopsy of the removed mass from my chest. Not even a needle-aspirated biopsy provided enough material to determine it was cancer. I had no symptoms other than the dull chest pain -- no night sweats, itchiness, fatigue, blood count normal, etc. In fact, I was in my early 30's and in great shape.

That said, if you have swollen lymph nodes, it could just be a sign that your body is actively fighting an infection or virus. If your lymph nodes have remained swollen for more than a month and you are seriously concerned, you can always ask for a second opinion. A biopsy of a groin lymph node should not be difficult for the doctor to perform. The needle aspirated biopsy I had needed to be inserted through one of my lungs and passed within millimeters of a major artery (it was done while under CT-scan guidance). Your GP should at least be willing to entertain the idea of a needle biopsy, unless there is a risk involved or she believes there is another more benign cause for your symptoms.

My WBC is still normal, 3 years later!! but I do have Non-Hodgkin麓s, diagnosed after the biopsy.
See a specialist, urgently.

GET A SECOND OPINION. Pay out of pocket if you have to. You do show all of the classic signs of Lymphoma. Blood tests alone are not conclusive. You need a biopsy if possible, or at least a CT scan. Please keep trying until you get some answers. There is still a possibility that it is NOT Lymphoma, but you need to know for sure.
Here is a website with great info and online counselors:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls
Best wishes