Dear rypoli-ga;
Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. Since
you are seeing a doctor very soon and your question basically solicits
an opinion, I?ll be happy to give you mine while sparing you the usual
?see a doctor? speech. We?re not doctors here and we can?t offer you
medical advice. I did find your problem interesting though, since you
indicated that you had experienced it relatively problem free since
adolescence or young adulthood, and based on that I felt I might be
able to take an educated guess at what it MIGHT be (since that?s all I
really ?can? do).
Now keep in mind that there are literally dozens of conditions that
can cause what you described. These of course range from cancer to
acne so there?s no way possible for anyone to know for certain what
you have unless they physically examined you and were educated in the
medical field. Here we are neither. While my research led me to many
of the conditions I mentioned, it also kept returning me to several
conditions that develop in early childhood and adolescence and I
though you might find these particularly interesting.
The following three benign conditions are described briefly on this site:
COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN MEDICAL CENTER
http://www.entcolumbia.org/neckcyst.htm
?Thyroglossal Duct Cysts ? Developing fetuses have a channel called
the thyroglossal duct, which is a temporary channel between the
developing thyroid gland and the tongue. Once the thyroid gland
descends from the base of the tongue, this duct normally closes and
disappears (usually by the time of birth). Sometimes a piece of the
duct remains, however, and will develop into a cyst, usually during
childhood or adolescence. In such cases, the remaining portion of the
thyroglossal duct and cyst (and its underlying attachment to the hyoid
bone, at the base of the tongue) must be removed completely. If they
are not removed completely, there is a high recurrence rate of such
cysts. In adulthood, these cysts can develop into cancer. Diagnostic
tests such as ultrasound of the neck can determine if the thyroid
gland is in a normal position?
My research has indicated that thyroglossal duct cysts are not
dangerous, but may sometimes swell and become infected requiring
antibiotics or surgery. This infection could also lead to the swelling
of lymph nodes, and even fever which in itself suggests a systemic
infection.
Another possibility is this:
?Sebaceous Cysts ? lumps in or just under the skin. A sebaceous cyst
is a catch-all term for a benign, harmless growth that occurs under
the skin and tends to be smooth to the touch. Ranging in size,
sebaceous cysts are usually found on the scalp, face, ears, and
genitals. They are formed when the release of sebum, a medium-thick
fluid produced by sebaceous glands in the skin, is blocked. Unless
they become infected and painful or large, sebaceous cysts do not
require medical attention or treatment, and they usually go away on
their own. If they become infected, the physician may drain the fluid
and cells that make up the cyst wall. Or, if the cyst causes
irritation or cosmetic problems, it may be removed through a simple
excision procedure.?
Like thyroglossal duct cysts, sebaceous cysts are not dangerous unless
they become inflamed or infected. Some people have dozens of them and
simply tolerate them unless they cause problems or become especially
painful.
?Dermoids ? Dermoid cysts are slow-growing, benign tumors which may
occur in the midline of the neck. In the neck, dermoid cysts are
usually firm lumps attached to the overlying skin.?
Dermoids can prove to be a little more serious especially if they
originate in the mouth or throat, but they are usually not life
threatening unless they become infected or grow to the extent that
they inhibit swallowing or breathing.
Now for the more serious problems. Since you indicated that you also
have swollen lymph nodes at the moment, your ?cyst? may also be
related to that. Lymph glands are an important a part of your
lymphatic system, which is one of your body's barriers to infection.
Any time your lymph glands become swollen it may signal an infection.
Let me try to explain what a lymph node is and why it might be related
to your problem:
Your lymphatic system consists of many nodes and ducts that are spread
throughout your body. One of the locations for these in the neck, jaw
line and underside of your chin. In the lymph, there is a
concentration of antigens, or infectious and other foreign substances
that your body recognizes. It sort of keeps a record of what your body
can recognize and fight off. These nodes are small clusters of cells
inside a small sac-like capsule. One of their primarily purposes is to
produce two different kinds of immunity weapons; antibodies that stick
to infectious particles, and macrophages that attacks the cells the
antibodies have bound themselves to and essentially, for lack of a
better term, eats them.
Why is all this important? Well, sometimes a lymph sac itself becomes
infected and on other occasions a lymph node in closest proximity of a
local infection becomes swollen. In still other cases a viral
infection can make one or more lymph nodes become inflamed because
they are producing large quantities of antibodies. The common cold can
sometimes cause these nodes to swell, as well as the flu, upper
respiratory infections or other minor problems. Generalized swelling
can be caused by such things as mononucleosis, parasitic infections or
fungal infections (which may actually bring the current problem with
your scrotum under suspicion as a potential cause). More serious
reasons why the lymph nodes swell include cancer, leukemia, lymphoma,
lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV and other lymphoproliferative
diseases just to name a few.
In themselves, inflamed glands are not normally a major cause of
concern unless they are hard, feel like they are fixed to the skin, or
are growing rapidly. Rather it?s the symptoms of some other condition
in conjunction with the swelling that causes concern. Other conditions
where lymph and other glands in the chin are swollen (or chronically
swollen) include a lipoma - a smooth, rubbery, dome-shaped lump that
is easily movable under the skin, or a salivary gland problem, such as
inflammation, a salivary stone, an infection, or even a tumor.
The fact you already have an ongoing infection in your groin, combined
with the glandular swelling you are already experiencing, your history
of tobacco use and sexual history, you are at risk for many
conditions, not the least of which are cancer and a number of sexually
transmitted diseases (whether you use protection or not). Considering
these factors, the ?cyst? you mentioned could indeed range from one of
the benign cysts I mentioned above, or be an inflamed lymph node (even
if its been there a while) or perhaps even a benign or malignant
tumor.
In truth, there?s just no way to know for certain. If I had to guess
(and that?s exactly what this is) I?d say, given your age and the fact
that this has been here for several years already, that it is a
probably a thyroglossal duct cyst.
THE AMERICAN PEDIATRIC SURGICAL ASSOCIATION
http://www.eapsa.org/parents/thyroglossal.cfm
-- BUT UNDERSTAND THIS-- : This is merely an internet forum and as I
have explained, I am NOT a doctor. This is ONLY a guess based on my
research. You should NOT cancel or delay your appointment based on
this information. Thyroglossal duct cysts CAN become cancerous in
adulthood and if yours is growing or otherwise drawing your attention
to it, it should certainly be examined. Since I don?t want to leave
you on a frightening note, let me share this with you:
According to DOCTORS LOUNGE website, enlargement of the submental
lymph nodes (the ones just below your chin) is ?usually? indicative of
?Mononucleosis syndromes, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus,
toxoplasmosis, dental pathology such as periodontitis?. These are all
treatable conditions that can cause swelling of the lymph under the
chin. Assuming the lump is not a cyst like the ones I described
earlier in my answer, it would seem that one or more of these
conditions would be suspect before the more serious ones because
testing for these can usually be done in the office in a matter of
minutes to identify these conditions or, in a worst case scenario,
rule them out.
I am interested to know what your doctor says and I look forward to
hearing back from you.
I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga ? Google Answers Researcher
[INFORMATION SOURCES]
EMEDICINE HEALTH
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/swollen_lymph_glands/article_em.htm
THE DOCTORS LOUNGE
http://www.thedoctorslounge.net/oncology/diagnosis/lymph_node/cervical.htm
GOOGLE
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cytomegalovirus
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Mononucleosis
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=Epstein-Barr+
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=toxoplasmosis
[SEARCH STRATEGY]
SEARCH ENGINE(S) USED:
Google ://www.google.com
[SEARCH TERMS USED]
Lymph
Lymphatic
Chin
Neck
Node
Nodule
Swollen
Cyst
Salivary
Gland |
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