Large Lymph Nodes on MRI - Lymphomas Message Board

waitpatiently · 07-27-2003, 02:26 PM

Hello~I just found this board and am loving it.
I wanted to ask a few questions of anyone who is experiencing lymphoma or was facing the possibility of having it.
I have been diagnosed with 4 dvt's (blood clots) in the past 5 weeks and have been on anti couagulants since then. Since being on the med's I have developed chest pain and some strange loss of concentration and arm weakness....thus we looked into finding a reason. We did a CT scan and something abnormal showed up. Thus we conducted an MRI on chest and neck. The chest scan came back fine...the neck came back abnormal. The lymph nodes in my neck are enlarged...left side is slightly bigger than right, if I hear correctly he said that 15 cm and below is considered benign. Mine he said was measuring around 25 cm (If I heard correctly).
I can't feel my lymph nodes but I can tell my neck is a little swollen~my arm is a little sore also. Has anyone experienced this...not being able to feel the swelling, but it has shown on a scan?

Second question, when a biopsy is done (mine will be performed on Wednesday) about how long typically does it take to get results?
I am pretty nervous about this biopsy and the results......we have had to juggle the blood thinners to allow this biopsy....I should be able to return home after the biopsy if there is no unusual bleeding.

Any help would be great...
Blessings,
Tonja

BrookLynn · 07-27-2003, 03:18 PM

I think maybe u heard mm not cm. 25cm is almost 10 inches. Biopsy results usually take between 2 to 4 days. It depends how backed up the lab is. If u get a call sooner it doesnt mean its bad news its just that the lab was able to it sooner. It also depends on who is going 2 call u with the results. If its ur doctor u might have to wait until he is in the office. Ask them how they do it. Also let them know if you dont want them to leave a message on your machine. Some people dont want the doctors to leave a message with results.

waitpatiently · 07-27-2003, 03:24 PM

Oh man, I don't think I can wait that long...lol!
I am going stir crazy wondering already.

Ok, maybe it was mm (I am sure I don't have somehting 10 inches and unable to physically feel it...haha)

What sort of infection could this be if it's not lymphoma?

Blessings,
Tonja

gret · 07-27-2003, 05:28 PM

If you look up enlarged lymph nodes you will see there are LOTS of thing that can cause it. And yes, you did hear wrong I believe...I think anything above 1.5 cm is considered enlarged, and over 3 cm is very suspecious. They told me mine is huge, and it is 5 cm.

I had my biopsy on Tue of last week, and am still awaiting results. Alot depends on who your insurance co allows to use for lab. Many lab's pathology comes back much sooner than mine. I def know how hard it is to wait tho.

Take care and good luck!

BrookLynn · 07-27-2003, 05:45 PM

If the nodes are enlarged in the neck its usually from an infection in that area like strep throat, sinus infection etc.. Also you could have had a cut that was infected and healed. The thing is these infections dont have 2 b recent. Sometimes lymph nodes enlarge and just dont go back to their regular size. Yours couldve been like that 4 a long time and u didnt know. Hope all works out well.