Anyone know about lymphoma? DD having biopsy

[bialystockandbloom]

DD (6yo) has a biopsy coming up for persistent swollen lymph node. It's been there since last autumn, I've been swaying between obsessively googling, thinking the worst, and trying to stay calm (I'm quite anxious especially about health). I know they're looking for lymphoma. She had night sweats too, for a month or so around the new year. These haven't been so bad recently though.

She's had three blood tests, ultrasound and haematology check - the ultrasound inconclusive, and the FBC seemed fine. The ENT consultant says he's not worried, but yesterday I got a copy of his letter to our GP, which said her LDH (?) blood levels were mildly raised. Of course I googled and saw this is linked to cancer. But I was told a raised ESR would be more concerning, which she doesn't have.

ENT dr said it's apparently quite common for children to have persistent swollen glands with no apparent cause, but I've tried to find out the ratio of benign causes vs cancer and haven't been able to find any stats.

Don't really know why I'm posting - has made me panic again just writing this down, but any experiences/reassurance gratefully received. I'm so worried.

[leelou905]

My DH had persistant swollen lymph nodes when he was a child too, they even sometimes get swollen now and again now he's an adult but everything turned out fine.

I think its usually quite common in children.

Hoping everything is ok for your daughter :)

[bialystockandbloom]

Thanks leelou that is reassuring

[SandwichYum]

Hello, I actually have lymphoma myself. Not sure I can help other than to say step away from Google! The biopsy should give you an answer. If you want to ask anything please let me know.

[Runningtokeepstill]

leelou is right that persistent swollen lymph nodes are quite common in children and not unknown in adults without it being lymphoma.

My dh had lymphoma (but a very rare kind) and the following year my dbil was taken into hospital quite poorly with swollen lymph nodes and more lymphoma symptoms than dh had on dx. But dbil turned out not to have lymphoma. What he did have was a very debilitating and quite longlasting viral infection but is now fully recovered.

[bialystockandbloom]

Thank you for the replies.

Sandwich I'm sorry - I hope you're doing ok. Have you had/in the process of treatment? A good friend had it a few years ago (age 40) - she was in given the final all-clear last year. All the best for you
Do you mind if I ask, did your blood tests show up anything beforehand? That's the bit I can't stop worrying about most - have read that lymphoma specifically doesn't show up (ie not straightforward blood test for it) but that high ESR or LDH can be markers. But then I think surely if the doctors had been concerned they wouldn't have waited for so long before doing a biopsy?

[SandwichYum]

I've finished chemo and start radiotherapy soon. My blood test didn't have anything particularly obvious other than a raised level of ca125 which can sometimes be a marker for ovarian cancer - this turned out to be related to one of my symptoms (I don't recall either of the things you have mentioned being discussed). A CT scan followed by biopsy gave me my diagnosis - this was done extremely quickly so the doctors were definitely concerned about me. I had a lot of symptoms too.
I know it is no reassurance really but there are lots of things that can cause the lymph node to be enlarged.

[bialystockandbloom]

That's what every Dr has said but when I ask what they don't really say!

I hope your radiotherapy goes smoothly and isn't too gruelling. Thanks again for answering.

(Realise I should've put 'persistent swollen lymph gland' in title rather than lymphoma - bit alarmist and prob putting people off posting!)

[Katsy0325]

Hi, i know this has been posted several years ago but hoping to get an answer still as I am experiencing the same with my DD, also 6 now. The node has been enlarged for 4 months already and there are several smaller ones below it as well. She had bloods and ultrasound which says the nodes are reactive. As much as possible, i dont want her to get a biopsy as it will be under general anaesthesia and it might be too invasive for her.