bobcat74
08-09-2008, 03:48 PM
below her neck. It's on the left side, about a quarter inch wide. It seems hard to the touch, doesn't seem to move much. She says it is painless. It's been there for about 5 weeks, came on rather suddenly. Right around the time it appeared we were in Florida for vacation and I got very ill with a virus for about 3 days. It seems to get a bit larger when she works or is stressed, but it hasn't really gotten any bigger or smaller. She is 30 and has no history of lymphoma, she's in good shape.
She has no other symptoms. She took antibiotics but that didn't make it go down. I assume it is a lymph node.
She visits a surgeon next week. Should I go with her and demand that it be biopsied? My wife is the type who doesn't take this kind of stuff seriously.
She has no other symptoms. She took antibiotics but that didn't make it go down. I assume it is a lymph node.
She visits a surgeon next week. Should I go with her and demand that it be biopsied? My wife is the type who doesn't take this kind of stuff seriously.
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sluggodog
08-13-2008, 10:48 AM
Yes - get a biopsy. Most nodes are benign. However, Thyroid cancer is also more common. I know. I have it. Deal with it now. The sooner the better in any prevention.
beth67
08-14-2008, 01:08 AM
You could start with a regular dr.. They will probably palpitate it and run some tests. An ultrasound may be good. If it comes down to getting a biopsy I would find an endocrinologist that has experience with thyroid biopsies. Thats what I did and I really trusted her. She had a good reputation and does 600 biopsies a year. Also you may want to have the endocrinologist do the ultrasound because their familiar with the anatomy. My dr. sent me to a regular ultrasound person and they told me everything was fine but my dr. wanted me to see an endocrinologist who did another ultrasound, saw something odd and did the biopsy right then and there. Turned out to be cancer and had to have surgery. If she does get a biopsy go with her and hold her hand. It's fairly painful and pretty freaky having 7 needles go into your neck. Good luck.
dee62
09-04-2008, 11:43 AM
Hi Beth67
I have had many questions also. I too have been to my gp and my hematologist. My hematologist has done bloodwork at each of my visits and has always come back normal. He said that my lymph nodes are too small to biopsy, even though my gp saw that they are very noticable and showed some concern. Indeed I have had an ultrasound & 2 MRI's and of course show the nodes.I have about 3-4 nodes in my neck that you can feel, but the ones below my left and right ear are the ones that concern me. They have been their since August 07, no pain at all in the nodes, just causes pain in my head. I recently cancelled my last MRI, for one it is very expensive even w/insurance and what is the use if this is of no use. My question is were your lymph nodes of noticable size or visible? I try not to worry, but don't know what to do, feel like I am stuck in between a rock and unanswered fears.
Thanks
Dee:confused:
I have had many questions also. I too have been to my gp and my hematologist. My hematologist has done bloodwork at each of my visits and has always come back normal. He said that my lymph nodes are too small to biopsy, even though my gp saw that they are very noticable and showed some concern. Indeed I have had an ultrasound & 2 MRI's and of course show the nodes.I have about 3-4 nodes in my neck that you can feel, but the ones below my left and right ear are the ones that concern me. They have been their since August 07, no pain at all in the nodes, just causes pain in my head. I recently cancelled my last MRI, for one it is very expensive even w/insurance and what is the use if this is of no use. My question is were your lymph nodes of noticable size or visible? I try not to worry, but don't know what to do, feel like I am stuck in between a rock and unanswered fears.
Thanks
Dee:confused:
rosequartz
09-04-2008, 11:48 AM
it's probably nothing to worry about. lymph nodes sometimes get enlarged after a cold or a virus.....a doctor should try a course of antibiotics first......why is she seeing a surgeon? That's a little drastic at this point.
bobcat74
09-08-2008, 12:30 AM
Her family physician recommended a surgeon after an initial round of antibiotics failed to help. the surgeon has made her "wait and see". He claimed that it wasn't cancer, said he had seen enough cancerous lymph nodes to tell. That didn't make me feel better, but the swelling has subsided somewhat. So I guess I wait and see with her...
sluggodog
09-08-2008, 09:57 AM
It probably is nothing to worry about. The comment about being drastic at this point I don't agree with. Drastic for who?. Better to have peace of mind, then worry about being too drastic. Doctors are human an make mistakes too. If you don't feel comfortable with what is being done. Get a second opinion. Do what YOU feel you need to do - not what other people tell you to do - including this forum. Good luck.
rosequartz
09-08-2008, 11:00 AM
I had a lump like that for a few years, it started after a really nasty cold. I had a couple MRI's and they showed it was normal.......
I'd try that route before surgery.
I'd try that route before surgery.
pinkmada
09-08-2008, 11:27 AM
Hey bobcat,
You sound very anxious at the moment, you mentioned that the lump appeared when you were on holiday and you were feeling sick? Her glands swelling up can just be an indication that her body was fighting of an infection, and lynpm nodes can stay swollen for many weeks-months afterwards.
Also tumors don't go down, they continue to grow, and if the surgeon has said to wait and see it is to determine whether their has been anymore growth. i do understand your worries and frustrations however your wife is being seen by a specialist. Perhaps just a more specific antibiotic instead of a broad spectrum one would help to knock the infection out. Have they done blood tests? they would do some sort of scan such as a CT or MRI before they would plan to biopsy the node.
I do hope this helps.
take care and keep us all posted, we are all here if you have any questions.
Amanda
x
You sound very anxious at the moment, you mentioned that the lump appeared when you were on holiday and you were feeling sick? Her glands swelling up can just be an indication that her body was fighting of an infection, and lynpm nodes can stay swollen for many weeks-months afterwards.
Also tumors don't go down, they continue to grow, and if the surgeon has said to wait and see it is to determine whether their has been anymore growth. i do understand your worries and frustrations however your wife is being seen by a specialist. Perhaps just a more specific antibiotic instead of a broad spectrum one would help to knock the infection out. Have they done blood tests? they would do some sort of scan such as a CT or MRI before they would plan to biopsy the node.
I do hope this helps.
take care and keep us all posted, we are all here if you have any questions.
Amanda
x