Possible lymphoma

Hi Goddar and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining us but sorry to hear about the challenges you are having,

I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups but for some context I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Cutaneous T-Cell NHL (a type of slow growing Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) ……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive Peripheral T-Cell NHL (a type of fast growing High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was then presenting so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.

There are a number of specific Symptoms of Lymphoma….. but at the same time some people will have no symptoms….. and Lymphoma is found by accident.

Back when in late 2013 I only had a developing rash that was on my back, nothing showed up in my bloods or CT scans…… it took a full year and 6 biopsies to eventually find the truth.…. there are specific steps that most people have to go through in the Diagnosis of Lymphoma.

……so to answer the above….. some folks would say yes they had some of the issues and were diagnosed with one of the 60 types and sub-types of Lymphoma….. although Lymph-nodes would have most likely grown in 3 months and most people say they have no pain….. but much more people will not be diagnosed with Lymphoma as it turned out to be something totally different.

You need to keep working with your medical professionals to get the truth.

Always around to chat and help out as best as I can.

Thanks for reply, really appreciate it! Ive read people deal with differents symptons. Im doing different test in this moment but i have lot of anxiety because i dont know what is happening. Have you everywhere heard about anybody who deal with pain in diferents nodes with no swelling ?

Pain in the lymph nodes without noticeable swelling can be the sign of infections, inflammatory conditions and in rare cases some cancers……. but in Lymphoma…. 99% of the time there would be swelling and sometimes the swelling presses on nerves also causing pain.

Unfortunately anxiety in itself can cause significant illness including unexplained aches and pains….. often in the nodes as these are all part of the immune system.

Who have you been working with regards to getting tests done?

Ive been working with the endocrinologist because everything started with some nipple lump, which the cause was gyno ( i did an eco ). Then i start to feel pain in armpits and groins and next week Ill have more blood test. Im going to schedule with an intern doctor but here in spain this goes really slow.

I have no understanding about the medical system in Spain….. In the National Health Service in the UK the specialists in Lymphoma are Haematologists……. but we would only be referred to them if there is sufficient evidence pointing towards Lymphoma….. the main diagnostic tools that are needed are a biopsy of an area of concept and a PET add/or a CT scan to shower were the Lymphoma is presenting……. In all my 25* years in my journey my bloods have never indicated Lymphoma but did at times indicate there were issues that needed further investigation. 

Keep working with your meducal professionals and kets lto ok fur sbswers soon.

If you would like to get in touch with Macmillan Cancer Support from outside of the UK you can contact us 7 days a week 8am-8pm (UK time) on:

+44 207 0912230  email or live webchat

Hi Mike just for your info... In Spain there is 'internal medicine' which is where they refer people for diagnosis which are not obvious / evident and might be 'systemic'. Then if this doctor determines that you are likely to have lymphoma you would be referred to a Hematologist. 

When I was getting diagnosed, my GP (UK) referred me to "Infectious Diseases" as they didn't have a clue what I had. I never made it there cause a CT scan done while waiting for that appointment showed it was pretty obvious it would be lymphoma. But the way I understood it is that I was sent to ID the same way as in Spain I would have been sent to 'internal medicine' - a referral they do when they don't have a clue (IMHO). 

That being said, doctors from internal medicine groups tend to have loads of experience dealing with all sorts of symptoms, so they would do a proper assessment. I don't know how it is now in Spain now, but years ago it used to be one of the hardest specialties to go into after qualifying.