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Have Swollen Node In The Crease Between Thigh And Pubic Bone. Concerned For Cancer?
Question: I am terrified of cancer. I have what feels like a swollen node in the crease between my thigh and pubic bone. You can only feel it if you press on the area and I walk around. Otherwise, I'm unable to feel it. After mono, I underwent a lymph node biopsy in my neck that came back fine. They said it was just an overactive inflammatory response. Well I've gone on with no problems except my skin. I get boils all over my buttocks that I treated with a months worth of Bactrum, I have acne, and my pubic area gets about 1 ingrown hair a week even if I don't shave. I can't shave my legs without my hair follicles bleeding because of eczema and I have so many scars! My question is, this node sort of comes and goes. I first noticed it after having sex with my boyfriend. It was so painful, I couldn't touch it. Then it plateued and the pain went away. I then took doxycycline for a month and applied clindamycin relentlessly and noticed a drastic decrease. I'm off it now and have noticed it coming back..roughly the same size it was before. It feels hard, but I cant feel it without digging so its hard to really feel if its rubbery, etc I've had XXXXXXX ultrasounds and all looks good and I've also had lots of bloodwork. Any advice? Could my boils and ingrown hairs cause some formation of scar tissue? I'm a 21 year old female by the way who's going to pharmacy school.
Hello and thank you for sending your question.
Your question is a very good one and I will work on providing you with some information and recommendations regarding what is going on.
First of all I want to reassure you that I am confident that you do not have any type of cancer going on. It is not uncommon for lymph nodes to swell from time to time.
As you know from your medical background and education this is called a Wii active lymph node. this process can occur in reaction to infections or inflammation or even allergies.
In your case I am very confident that the reason why this lymph node is slightly swollen is because of the inflammatory issues you have had with the chronic infections in your pelvic area.
Also the fact that the lymph node is actually painful is even more reassuring that this is not any type of cancer or lymphoma.
I would just observe this for now. I would not try to press on the Syria or your tape the lymph node as that can sometimes cause it to become even larger. I would focus on maintaining optimal health in managing the other issues that you have been dealing with with these chronic infections.
Thanks again for sending your question. Please let me know if I can be of any additional assistance.
Dr. Robert
Your question is a very good one and I will work on providing you with some information and recommendations regarding what is going on.
First of all I want to reassure you that I am confident that you do not have any type of cancer going on. It is not uncommon for lymph nodes to swell from time to time.
As you know from your medical background and education this is called a Wii active lymph node. this process can occur in reaction to infections or inflammation or even allergies.
In your case I am very confident that the reason why this lymph node is slightly swollen is because of the inflammatory issues you have had with the chronic infections in your pelvic area.
Also the fact that the lymph node is actually painful is even more reassuring that this is not any type of cancer or lymphoma.
I would just observe this for now. I would not try to press on the Syria or your tape the lymph node as that can sometimes cause it to become even larger. I would focus on maintaining optimal health in managing the other issues that you have been dealing with with these chronic infections.
Thanks again for sending your question. Please let me know if I can be of any additional assistance.
Dr. Robert
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your quick reply!
I would just like to add that it started painful when the lump first appeared after having sex for the first time back in XXXXXXX but is now painless. I have a habit of digging to try to move it, but its lack of mobility worries me. Can reactive lymph nodes be hard, immobile, and painless and be fine? I feel reassured, so thank you. It definitely started out as a painful node, but over the last couple of months it has become less painful, but its still there.
So my two questions:
Why is the node hard? What does this mean? Scar tissue? Inflamed? Or is it usually cancer?
2. Even if I'm not currently having a flare up, is it reasonable to assume that I could have shitty nodes for the rest of my life since it is a chronic condition?
My gp is a very nice man and told me after looking at it to see my dermatologist about it before I see him. This made me feel he believes it is linked to my skin too. I just wish I could move it :(
I would just like to add that it started painful when the lump first appeared after having sex for the first time back in XXXXXXX but is now painless. I have a habit of digging to try to move it, but its lack of mobility worries me. Can reactive lymph nodes be hard, immobile, and painless and be fine? I feel reassured, so thank you. It definitely started out as a painful node, but over the last couple of months it has become less painful, but its still there.
So my two questions:
Why is the node hard? What does this mean? Scar tissue? Inflamed? Or is it usually cancer?
2. Even if I'm not currently having a flare up, is it reasonable to assume that I could have shitty nodes for the rest of my life since it is a chronic condition?
My gp is a very nice man and told me after looking at it to see my dermatologist about it before I see him. This made me feel he believes it is linked to my skin too. I just wish I could move it :(
Hello again and thank you for your follow-up.
Again I want to reassure you that I am very confident that this is not cancer or lymphoma.
Also I want to remind you to try not to irritate this area as much as you can. This will increase the likelihood that any inflammation associated with the swelling will slowly improve.
It is possible that inflammation can create some degree of scar tissue in the area of the lymph node which might make it feel More solid.
There is no danger to having a small swollen lymph node. If this is something which really bothers you you might discuss the possibility of having the lymph node removed with a surgeon. This is a procedure however and additional scar tissue could form after such a procedure so there is no guarantee that this will completely resolve your situation.
I am convinced that this lymph node swelling is related to your skin condition and there is no concern in my mind that this is any type of cancer.
Thanks again for sending your question. I am still here if you have any additional points of discussion.
Dr. Robert
Again I want to reassure you that I am very confident that this is not cancer or lymphoma.
Also I want to remind you to try not to irritate this area as much as you can. This will increase the likelihood that any inflammation associated with the swelling will slowly improve.
It is possible that inflammation can create some degree of scar tissue in the area of the lymph node which might make it feel More solid.
There is no danger to having a small swollen lymph node. If this is something which really bothers you you might discuss the possibility of having the lymph node removed with a surgeon. This is a procedure however and additional scar tissue could form after such a procedure so there is no guarantee that this will completely resolve your situation.
I am convinced that this lymph node swelling is related to your skin condition and there is no concern in my mind that this is any type of cancer.
Thanks again for sending your question. I am still here if you have any additional points of discussion.
Dr. Robert
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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