I've been trying to figure out what may be wrong with my body for the past 3 years. I have swollen lymphnodes all over my neck and some above collar bone. I have gotten bloodworks,ct scan,FNA Biopsy,X-ray,HIV test, etc. All came back normal. I'm 21 years old.

I'm getting really worried that it might be cancer..=(
So, I'm heading over to a MD this comming saturday.
And I was hoping to find out how the surgical biopsy procedure works. I've never had surgery done on me.. So naturally I'm very scared about this..
The obvious question is, does it hurt?..

Thanks in advance. =l

Also, does anyone know how much a MRI and surgical biopsy will cost?..(just an estimate)

I don't have insurance, so cost if definitely an issue for me =(

My son had two lymph nodes removed in his jaw this time, and he was up and running around the next day. He felt fine right afterwards, but he was tired from the anesthesia. As far as the cost, it really depends where you go. My son was at major children's hospital for the surgery, which is more expensive than our local hospital. He had a CT scan at our local hospital which was $3,000 and his surgery was $10,000. I couldn't believe it when I got the statement since it was only a 45 minute, same day surgery.

We just went to the doctor today, and he will be getting his fourth node removed. I'm at my wits end with lymph nodes!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure why his react the way they do, but they all come back benign, so I don't know why we have to go through this every time.

Hope all goes well with you!!!!!!

It's atleast great that it's comming back benign. =)

Wow, that's expensive.. =(
How big and spread out are your sons lymphnodes?.
does he have em above his collarbone too? or maybe the groin area?.

I'm just trying to figure out if it is normal to have lymphnodes on those areas ,yet still be benign. =l

I just went to the doctor yesterday, he says that he is a bit worried, but not worried to the point that it should cause me problems... He just took some blood for a CBC, HIV (although I tested twice within this year, both negative), Mono (negative).
I'm not sure if I should go see a different doctor for a second opinion.. (actually my 5th..)
All the doctors I've been to tells me not to worry about it... oh well.

Oh, by the way - did your son get general anesthesia?
or local?..


[This message has been edited by enyceexdanny (edited 09-09-2003).]

My son has had cervical and abdominal nodes removed. We don't normally get too worked up around here about medical issues cuz we have gone through this cancer screening stuff a few times now, and it always turns out fine. Generally, everyone around here is pretty healthy other than some out of whack blood tests and lymph nodes.

From what I've heard, it is quite normal to have lymph node swelling in the general areas (neck, armpits, and groin), but to have them in the clavicle region doesn't sound like it happens too often and should be checked out pronto.

My son had general anesthesia when he had his surgeries. He has kind of a tough time afterwards because he has asthma and he ends up very croupy. It doesn't take long for him to come around though.

Hopefully the doctors you have seen have noted the approx. size of your nodes so they can monitor growth. It is also something you should do at home, but don't check them too often because that can aggravate them. Some of my son's were quite visible, so it wasn't hard to see how much they were increasing in size.

At any rate, if you don't feel comfortable with your doctors' opinions, make sure you have everything checked further for your own peace of mind. Life is too short to have to spend your days worrying about your health. Afterall, you are the one hiring them!!!!

Good luck, and let me know how everything turns out!!!

Thanks so much for your reply. =)
My doctor didn't take down the measurements of the node though.. =( Now that you've mentioned it, I think it is indeed a logical thing to monitor the size of the node. Which he didn't seem to care about. =(

It's so hard finding a good doctor these days.

I should have my blood test results tomorrow.
From the results, I guess my dr will decide what I should do. He says to get another CT scan done from abdominal to neck. But wouldn't it be better to just skip to the biopsy instead?.. That'll save a whole load of money... Well, I don't know anymore..
I'm just so tired of stressing, I feel worse.

Again , thanks for the advice. and
I will definitely let you know what happens.

Actually, the scans are kind of important. We have had them done before every biopsy. They like to see if any other nodes are swollen, and I think it helps them to decide what node/nodes to biopsy. From what I gather, they will take the biggest node for biopsy. In my son's case, they really thought they'd find a mass in his abdomen because of the appearance of his lymph nodes on ultra sound, so it was done right away. I really think you should have it done!

Let me know how it goes!!!!!