Swollen lymph glands - cancer?

[paddyclamp]

Has anyone DC had a persistent swollen lymph node that has turned out NOT to be cancer?

My DS aged 6 has had one for ages and GP doesnt seem especially concerned but he has referred us to the paediatrician to be on the safe side.

DS is completely well in himself, very active, eats well, sleeps a bit less than i'd like him to, no other concerns at all.

Hoping somebody can reassure me

well DD2 was admitted to hospital a few weeks back as she was very poorly and had enlarged nodes in neck and tummy and docs were jumping up and down like looneys the big doc came in the morning and said its fine, and just keep an eye and see if they go down, but said it takes weeks. He did say that some children just have them alot and its not always a sign of cancer. DH has cancer and tbh he was very poorly before dx so i would take it as a good sign that your LO is very well
still hope peads can pt our mind at rest too
HTH

I had swollen lymph glands last year for about 3 months. They eventually decided it was just an infection I had in my bod that was taking a long time to go through me ???? To my knowledge I am perfectly fit and healthy !

I would never have equated swollen lymph nodes with cancer but would have assumed viral infection - even low-lying persistent viral infection

I am with ACTIVATE much more likely to be post infection and just not clearing it. A child who had leukemia and such like blood cancers is usually very unwell and very very tired. Please try not to worry so much. xx

paddyclamp, your ds sounds rather healthy and active, i wouldn't worry too much maybe, hope your paed and tests will give him the all-clear soon. My DD, who had swollen lymph nodes which turned out to be leukaemia, had other symptoms such as having a fever for a month (on and off), being a bit more tired than usual, taking naps during the day which was very unusual for her, and some body aches and pains, and she was very pale. am sure your ds is fine, and hope everything goes well for you.x

I have permanently swollen glands from childhood tonsillitis (now 40 and no cancer) I was told I could have them removed, but scarring would be quite extensive, so not worth it.

He sounds fine

My d.s has often swollen glands in his groin, and has had them since he was a baby. He is now a big strapping boy of 8. He does, or did have eczema, and our dr said that could could be a reason. He never seemed to be particularly perturbed as he was otherwise in good health.

My friend's son recently had very swollen lymph glands. He was tested for cancer and she was terribly worried but it turned out to be toxoplasmosis which he had picked up from their cat. He is fine.

Thankyou so much for all the reassuring comments...sorry to hear about your DD Hazlinh and your DH Lisa...i am really clinging on to the fact that DS is his normal lively self

When the GP gave us the referral slip for the paed it was ticked as routine rather than urgent so i'm taking that as a good sign too....GP felt his glands all over and examined his stomach and said he was reassured by how all that felt...but he wants to play it safe and i'm glad of that

My DS2 has had them since about 18 months - he's now 5. He did get lots and lots of colds and throat infections and I think it may be down to that. He is under the hospital for being prem and asthma and altho they reassured me all was fine, they did a blood test anyway (more for my benefit I think). Results were normal, and as I say, he still has them x

Hopefully I can reassure you. We discovered lymph nodes in DS's groin and took him off to the doctor. Dr felt his tummy, knee joints, armpits etc and said everything felt normal but wanted to refer him to paed 'because I wouldn't want to miss anything'. Cue 4 weeks of worry (googled).
When we got to the paed, he felt the nodes and then ds's tummy and said 'why are you here?'. Basically he said that about 10% of children would have lymph nodes that could easily be felt (or seen if in neck), and in the absence of any other symptoms it was a very unnecessary referral by our GP. He also told me to stop worrying (yeah right) because if there is something very wrong it will be obvious.
TBH I wasn't worried until the GP referred us, yet I was made to feel like atotally irrational worry freak!
DS is nearly 3 btw, and absolutely fine.

Thanks for all your replies it is helping me stay sane x

My 15 mo had enlarged nodes in neck which did not go away. Doc had him admitted straight away, was checked for lots of things including luekaemia and sickle cell, and thank god, nothing found. He is now nearly 20!

Hi paddyclamp,
I am not a child but I have a persistent swollen lymph gland. I can always feel it, and it flares up particularly if I am unwell. It appeared after I had a bad viral infection (glandular fever). That was over 10 years ago and I still have it now. My doctor never seemed concerned it was cancerous.