Questions about swollen lymph node?

Question

I have a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck which has been there quite a while. A while back i went to the doctor and she ran some general blood work/thyroid test. (which was normal) Had an ultrasound and saw a specialist and they all told me there was not problem and not to be worried about the swelling because the node was so small. Its not painful. But i am very worried because it has not gone down. I read on here that a few reasons could be hiv or cancer. Mabye i'm just being paranoid. What do you think?

Answer 1

My son had q swollen lymph node on the left side of his neck. They did a biopsy on it when he first went to the hospital and it was metastatic cancer.

Go back to the doctor and insist on being taken seriously. Your life may depend on it.

My son had stage IV cancer when diagnosed. The cancer had originated from a large primary tumor in the abdomen which had seeded into the lymphatic system.

Answer 2

HI Bubba, your doctor did all the right tests but if you are still worried, I would ask for a biopsy of the fluid. They would use a fine needle and draw some of the lymph fluid out to test it for cancer. Were you sick when it became swollen? Do anything unusual? Do you have allergies? Nodes shouldn't be swollen generally unless you are fighting off an illness or infection, and they can swell with allergies, sinus and cancer of course. I wouldn't worry about HIV unless you had unprotected sex, but that would have shown up in the blood work. If the node was cancerous it would have shown something on the ultrasound, so I'm sure your doctor would have sent you for further evaluation if she thought it was serious, still for your own sake I would get a biopsy then you can put your mind at ease.

Answer 3

You didn't say how long quite a while was. I had a swollen lymph node after a particularly nasty infection that stayed swollen for a couple months.
You didn't say what kind of specialist you saw. I would suggest a "Surgical Oncologist" or a Cancer Dr. who is a surgeon. I suggest the surgeon instead of the clinical oncologist because he has seen the lymph nodes and put his fingers on them numerous times.
Remember that 50% of the Dr.s finished Med School in the bottom half of their class!
You need to be proactive in this thing called YOUR health. Missed signs and mistakes hurt you, not the Dr. Get a second opinion!

Answer 4

Your lymphatic gadget is in some techniques like your physique's sewer gadget. i'm particular you recognize on the subject of the wonders of the circulatory gadget; your lymphatic gadget is the place your blood cells sell off their junk. many times, your lymphatic gadget gets flushed out some circumstances an afternoon. whether, now and returned the 'junk' builds up or isn't correct flushed out - like while a individual is sick. it somewhat is often while human beings will observe their lymph nodes are swollen. The lymph node which you say has been there for years - has it been swollen for years, or in basic terms palpable? usually they seem to be somewhat palpable. There are lymph nodes close on your breasts. interior the middle a while, between the indicators of Black Plague substitute into enlarged "buboes" - swollen axillary lymph nodes. they are located around your armpits. Lymph nodes are everywhere in the physique, not in basic terms your neck. possibilities are high that your physique is attempting to combat off an infection. i've got had badly swolen lymph nodes two times so a good distance - the 1st time I were uncovered to Cat Scratch Fever (i substitute into fortunate to not have the finished sickness!) and the 2d time i substitute into battling a raging strep throat. in accordance with how long your nodes have been swollen, your known practitioner will likely try you for infections and supply you some antibiotic meds. i'm hoping you get greater advantageous quickly!

Answer 5

Lymph nodes are normally about the size of a pea, so if this is true then don't worry. Then again, there are some people who have bigger ones naturall and it doesn't mean anything. Also, if you have allergies, they can be pretty persistently swollen. Your negative tests mean you're more than likely fine, just worrying. Those websites will freak you out, I know.. they do me sometimes but just know that it is normal to be able to feel them in your neck sometimes... it doesn't necessarily mean it's swollen or that you have cancer (maybe it's always been that size but you never really noticed before)

Answer 6

My mother had a swollen lymph node on the side of her neck and had a biopsy done and it was stage 3 cancer so PLEASE get it checked by a regular doctor and then maybe even an oncologist (cancer doctor) to make sure it is not cancer. My mother's regular doctor even said it was nothing but she went to an oncologist just to make sure and it was cancer so I would play it safe...go to an oncologist.

Answer 7

You are NOT just being paranoid. PLEASE keep on top of your doctors until you get the answers you need. Most likely it is nothing. But, it needs a biopsy [fine needle aspiration]. I started out exactly the same way. No one knew what it was until they cut into it to find out. [there was a surgeon all set to remove my thyroid] And, oh by the way, it was Lymphoma.
Check this site for the best disease info and to see if you have any other symptoms:
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls...
I'm not trying to scare you. If it is something bad, you can beat it with treatment. There are great treatments out there. I'm 2 years post-treatment.
Best wishes

Answer 8

Go back to your doctor or ANOTHER one and get another opinion. FIght with them until they give you a good answer- insist on a biopsy (test for cancerous cells) if that will make you feel better.

You could be swelling due to an allergic reaction to something in your environment as well.

I started on some antihistamines and ibuprofen to help with my swelling- my ultrasound and blood work were normal as well.