My 13 year old has had a swollen lymph node behind his ear for 6 months now. Why is this?

Even though he said not to worry, did he say what he thought it was or the cause of it? I would ask that blood work be done or better yet, get a second opinion. If it's in response to an infection...did he prescribe antibiotics for the infection?

Call the doctor again . . six months is too long to go with an undiagnosed swollen lymph node. If your doctor does not take you seriously, ask for a second opinion. Every type of cancer can metastasize to the lymph nodes . . it doesn't have to be lymphoma. My son had an abdominal sarcoma and was diagnosed through a swollen lymph node on the neck. Hopefully this will turn out to be an infection of some kind and you can have it treated with an antibiotic.

I would take him back to the doctor's office and say how concerned you are that this is going so long. I would ask if he would check it out more thoroughly.

well, i am also 13 and i have swollen lymph nodes too. while the others here have knolege i have experience. so, if it is soft that means that it is normal consistency for lymph nodes. you didnt mention the size of it. if a lymph node is over 2cm then it should be definatly investigated. did he have an infection before that? if he did there is a possiblity that he has a shotty lymph node witch is a lymph node that is soft and didnt return to normal size after the infection. check if the lymph node is warm if it is that means that it is working on fighting an infection. if you need help email me from my page. i hope i helped and i hope your son gets closure to his problem. there is probably nothing wrong with him but if he is worried (like i am about myself) i would get him checked by another doctor. (as i am). good luck. ~1337 h4x0r

Call the doctor again . . six months is too long to go with an undiagnosed swollen lymph node. If your doctor does not take you seriously, ask for a second opinion. Every type of cancer can metastasize to the lymph nodes . . it doesn't have to be lymphoma. My son had an abdominal sarcoma and was diagnosed through a swollen lymph node on the neck. Hopefully this will turn out to be an infection of some kind and you can have it treated with an antibiotic.

well, i am also 13 and i have swollen lymph nodes too. while the others here have knolege i have experience. so, if it is soft that means that it is normal consistency for lymph nodes. you didnt mention the size of it. if a lymph node is over 2cm then it should be definatly investigated. did he have an infection before that? if he did there is a possiblity that he has a shotty lymph node witch is a lymph node that is soft and didnt return to normal size after the infection. check if the lymph node is warm if it is that means that it is working on fighting an infection. if you need help email me from my page. i hope i helped and i hope your son gets closure to his problem. there is probably nothing wrong with him but if he is worried (like i am about myself) i would get him checked by another doctor. (as i am). good luck. ~1337 h4x0r

i didn't know we had lymph nodes behind our ears. how is his throat? and the nodes in his neck, armpits and groin? he wouldn't have just one node activated. maybe he has a cyst that enlarges with his rubbing of it. ?

I would take him back to the doctor's office and say how concerned you are that this is going so long. I would ask if he would check it out more thoroughly.