How are lymph nodes measured?

[Baldrick]

I've been anxious today about my swollen lymph nodes. They've been swollen for almost six years but "only" had anxiety for about a year and a half. I sometimes get a tingling sensation in and around my armpits where my biggest lymph nodes are, I had a bit of that today and did feel my lymph nodes. They feel big today. I've had two ultrasounds over the last year and apparently they look normal but I'm curious, how are lymph nodes measured?
I would say that my biggest lymph node is probably around 2-2.5 cm long and 1-1.5 width. Does that mean that it is considered 2.5 cm lymph node or 1.5? The ultrasound technician only wanted to measure the width.

[Slangevar]

If they've been swollen for 6 years, that might be "normal" for you. I can't think of any cancers or diseases that would cause your lymph nodes to swell to a certain point and then stop for 6 years.

Lymph nodes can swell up for all sorts of reasons, by the way... even chronic allergies.

[Baldrick]

If they've been swollen for 6 years, that might be "normal" for you. I can't think of any cancers or diseases that would cause your lymph nodes to swell to a certain point and then stop for 6 years.

Lymph nodes can swell up for all sorts of reasons, by the way... even chronic allergies.

That is what has often been a source of comfort for me, they seem normal and one even reacted to an infection so it works as normal.
Also it seems my groin nodes have gone down a bit and not gotten bigger however it seems that a new one appeared in my left armpit and the one in my right armpit has changed. But it's hard to explain.

The cancer I'm most worried about is slow growing type of lymphoma. But I'm 24 so that would be really strange and rare. :/

[mel4962]

After 6 years even slow growing lymphoma would show signs and give the diagnosis. Lymphoma is beyond rare in a 24 year old. Hodgkins would be more accurate but that is not slow the lymphnodes would just keep getting bigger in a short time and symptoms would follow rather quickly.  Lymphnodes that have remained stable for 6 years are of no clinical significance. Especially if numerous ones are slightly swollen. Typically with any lymphoma slow or rapidly progressive...you will have one very large obvious node and this node typically presents in the fatty area of the collar or the neck.  This sounds like normal reactive nodes from bein tampered with....or shotty nodes from a past viral infection.

[Baldrick]

After 6 years even slow growing lymphoma would show signs and give the diagnosis. Lymphoma is beyond rare in a 24 year old. Hodgkins would be more accurate but that is not slow the lymphnodes would just keep getting bigger in a short time and symptoms would follow rather quickly.  Lymphnodes that have remained stable for 6 years are of no clinical significance. Especially if numerous ones are slightly swollen. Typically with any lymphoma slow or rapidly progressive...you will have one very large obvious node and this node typically presents in the fatty area of the collar or the neck.  This sounds like normal reactive nodes from bein tampered with....or shotty nodes from a past viral infection.

Thanks for the response! Reassuring response :) The illness I'm most concern about is indeed very rare and the symptoms I'm worrying about are also rare, I think, at least for first symptoms. Like bone pain and abdominal stings which I've been having for the last few days. It is probably gas or some muscle issue at first I though it was the appendix but that would be much much more painful.

When the nodes first got swollen an hematologist suggested, after a massive blood test, that it could have been from some viral infection. But for some reason I started doubting years afterwards.  :/

[mel4962]

If a hemotologist said its not a malignancy then I would believe him 100 percent.  Hemotologist are typically also oncologists.....they see cancer every day. He knows exactly what to look for in the blood and in lumps and bumps. I also have shotty nodes from past viral infections.  Have you had the chicken pox...measles or mono? Those 3 are notorious for making shotty nodes through out the body.  Bone pain is severe even the slightest touch would have you in agony. Walking would be unbearable.  Lymphoma that has gone into the bone would be IMPOSSIBLE without other incredibly severe symptoms. You would be so so ill if it progressed to the bone.  You defo wouldnt be on the computer not even close. My grandma had cancer that spread to a teeny tiny spot on her bone and this was AFTER diagnosis and she was deathly ill. Not up and about...it was awful.

[Baldrick]

If a hemotologist said its not a malignancy then I would believe him 100 percent.  Hemotologist are typically also oncologists.....they see cancer every day. He knows exactly what to look for in the blood and in lumps and bumps. I also have shotty nodes from past viral infections.  Have you had the chicken pox...measles or mono? Those 3 are notorious for making shotty nodes through out the body.  Bone pain is severe even the slightest touch would have you in agony. Walking would be unbearable.  Lymphoma that has gone into the bone would be IMPOSSIBLE without other incredibly severe symptoms. You would be so so ill if it progressed to the bone.  You defo wouldnt be on the computer not even close. My grandma had cancer that spread to a teeny tiny spot on her bone and this was AFTER diagnosis and she was deathly ill. Not up and about...it was awful.

Thanks! The first hematologist I went to in 2007 said it was possibly Epstein Barr, thing is I don't remember being ill that year EXCEPT in the beginning of the year I was sick couldn't hold anything down for a few days, the lymph nodes didn't appear until spring, early summer.
Last year I went to see a hematologist four times always got the same response, he didn't think it was anything.
Sorry to hear about your grandma, sounds awful!