History Of Breast Cancer And Cervical Cancer. Diagnosed With Lymphadenopathy. What Does This Mean?

Posted on Tue, 6 Nov 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 Answered on

Sat, 24 Nov 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have just left the dr's office and she says I have lymphadenopathy. I have some rather large knots at the base of my skull and one behind my ear. I also have a itchy scalp. I have a history of breast cancer.5 year XXXXXXX coming up. Chemo and removal of my right breast. I have also had cervical cancer in '99 and vulva cancer in late '97. Does this mean the cancer has come back? I am not ill but be am really tired. any scrapes or bites i get seem to get infected. They normally clear up the next day so this is unusual for me..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Large lymph nodes of the neck can be due to a viral or bacterial infection, allergic reactions, metabolic diseases or some malignancy- may be metastasis.
For this, a FNAB (fine needle aspiration biopsy) of the lymph nodes and swollen glands is the best test. FNAB is aspiration of the material of the glands which is done by a fine gauge needle (22 or 25 gauge) and a syringe. This will confirm the diagnosis.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar