Can you feel lymph nodes?

[Notcool1984]

I can feel a small squishy lymph node low down in my neck (right down deeper than collarbone). I am having a minor freak out as I have health anxiety. It is small, way smaller than 1cm and I can sort of move it around.
Can anyone else feel glands in their neck? thanks!!

Yes you can especially if you are fighting an infection like a cold or flu. You would need to know where the lymph node is and whether what you are feeling is in that area.

You normally don't feel them unless you have an infection.

I think I might have noticed it in September but then forgot about it and found it again. Can some just be bigger and easier to feel? Would it have grown since then if it was cancer?

I can feel one on one side of my neck (about midway) and two on the other. I've been able to feel them for about 10 years. I had a major freak out when I first found them, but got them checked with a doc, who had a little feel and declared them perfectly normal. She said they probably came up when I had a virus or infection and never went back down again.

It's always best to get these things checked If they're worrying you, but it's more then likely nothing though.

Yes you can feel a node or two even without them being swollen if you palpate the area. Nodes can remain swollen for 6 to 12 months even after minor infection. It is normal.

That said if you have other symptoms or the node starts to increase in size or you notice another swollen node go and get checked at your GP and don't take no for an answer.

Yeah, I have to prod to find it, but it is there for sure.
I have had a chest infection and tonsillitis recently, but felt it before that I am sure..

If you're worried, get to the GP and tell them. Its the most common symptom of blood cancer, but not all swollen lymph nodes are cancerous of course. If you've noticed any of these, get to the GP and explain your concerns.

bloodwise.org.uk/info-support/blood-cancer/symptoms

I have one up in my neck at the moment, I think due to the spate of bugs that have been going round. My lymph nodes are ridiculous - slight shaving irritation = golfball under my armpit.

Well I had blood tests a couple of months ago, so would blood cancer not show on that?

bump

I have two in my neck, in exactly the same place on both sides. Ive had them for years, and assume that's just normal for me. I can also feel one under my chin occasionally when I get a cold sore or have a nasty spot, and others pop up behind my ears whenever I'm run down or have a cold/virus.

I had a lump in my neck for 18 months. It was a lymph gland. I've always had lumps in my neck whenever I'm off colour or have a cold sore. I went to my doctor in September when it still hadn't gone. I've now been off work since Christmas having had chemo & radiotherapy for a tumour in my tongue. Go get it checked if you're not sure.

With lymphoma in particular, which is when you'd commonly get the swollen lymph nodes, no a blood test wouldn't be definitive to say its normal. It may indicate things appear well but it's not enough to rule it out. The only way to diagnose lymphoma is through a lymph node biopsy.

(I work for a related charity)

Well I had blood tests a couple of months ago, so would blood cancer not show on that?

Well not necessarily. There are some specific tests that may indicate cancer but not among the normal full blood count type tests. They need to be specifically ordered. Lymph nodes come up and go down all the time. Even minor infection in the related area can cause them to enlarge. Obviously, if you are worried then get it checked out but from what you’ve said, squishy and mobile then I doubt it’s anything to worry about.

Well I had blood tests a couple of months ago, so would blood cancer not show on that?
Likely yes, but we aren't all doctors so best advice is get it checked though I think its likely a lymph node swelling especially as you've had a run of infections lately.

^ Is misleading.

From bloodwise.org.uk/info-support/low-grade-non-hodgkin-lymphoma/symptoms

Tests to diagnose low-grade NHL
The only way to confirm a diagnosis of low-grade NHL is through a lymph node biopsy.

Lymph node biopsy
A lymph node biopsy is a minor surgical procedure that takes a sample of the lymph node affected by the cancer. This sample is then examined under the microscope in a laboratory.

This test may be done under general anaesthetic. You’ll often have one whole lymph node removed – you might hear this being called an excision biopsy. Increasingly a core of lymph node is removed under local anaesthetic with the help of an ultrasound or CT scan. This is called a core biopsy or incisional biopsy.

This is the definitive test that will confirm your diagnosis of lymphoma. After this test, your lymphoma will be ‘staged’ to understand the extent of the cancer.

Initial health tests
After your diagnosis, you’ll have more tests, which will give doctors more information about your health and the lymphoma.

Blood tests
These will give your healthcare team a full picture of your general health before you start any treatment.

Full blood count
A full blood count (FBC) measures the number of each type of cell in the blood: red cells, white cells and platelets.

Although the full blood count is often not affected in low-grade NHL, the test is still important. The FBC will help doctors spot if you develop anaemia (a condition caused by a lack of red blood cells which can lead to tiredness and breathlessness). Anaemia may occur because of your illness or your treatment. The FBC will also see if the lymphoma has affected your bone marrow and if this happens your treatment might be changed.

@GinisLife sorry to hear that. I had cancer in my 20s so I know how tough it can be xx
Can I ask, was the lump quite big? Thanks.

I don't feel mine unless they're infected. But I have a fat neck, so I can't speak for everyone else.

@JellyBelly666 are these lymph nodes quite big usually? mine is pretty small.

If you've noticed the lump and its obviously worrying you, go see your GP and get it checked out. It's not a waste of time if after investigation you don't have blood cancer.

I would say if you are worried and have previously experienced cancer then see your gp.
BUT try not to worry. My dc has some that didn't go away, had mri (?) and they are just 'shotty' lymph nodes. Very common apparently.

It was fairly large and under my jaw so you could see it.

My GP noticed it, assumed it was due to a virus I had no symptoms of and told me to mention it again if it was still there in 3 months.

It was, she pinged me over to the hospital, got it scanned and everything was fine.

I'm high risk for lymphoma due to autoimmune disease and medication, so got seen very quickly. I was a bit nervous, but it's the second time it's happened - the first was in my boob, which caused a lot of serious faces at the GP (although having my Rheumatologist ask very politely if she could feel it was, I suspect, more because she hadn't ever felt one and wanted to know for future patients - or herself )

[Has a quick poke around]

Yep, it's still there. About 1/4 the size it was at the time, but still noticeable if you go looking for it,

I had blood cancer and it was a blood test (full blood count) that alerted my GP to arrange for me to see a haematologist the following day as he suspected a type of blood cancer called Myleodysyplastic syndrome (MDS) . My lymph nodes were not affected though.

Lymphoma affects lymph nodes. See your doctor to get checked out.

Hope it is nothing