How Can Anxiety About A Swollen Lymph Node For Several Years Be Managed?

Posted on Sat, 21 Apr 2018

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

Sat, 21 Apr 2018 Answered on

Wed, 4 Dec 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello. I've had a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck for the past 6 years. Went to my doctor five years ago to get it checked. Had ultrasound and blood work done. All normal. Node is still there and causing me huge amounts of anxiety. I think it has slowly gotten larger. I have no symptoms of illness, no night sweats, no weight loss or fatigue. I have an appointment in a few weeks to have it checked again and have managed to get myself in such a state of anxiety. Any thoughts?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please give details and post reports, if possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history well and understood the concerns.

Please give some additional information for me to assist you better:

Was the swelling reported as lymph node on the ultrasonography?
Was any FNAC or Biopsy done yet?
What is the size of the swelling?
Any pain or tenderness on pressure?
Is it freely XXXXXXX or fixed wither to the skin or deeper structures?
Any other information, please.

Awaiting your feedback....

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (38 minutes later)

Roughly 2 cm in size, moves freely.Was reported as lymph node on ultrasound. Not painful to the touch, but general area does feel irritated occasionally. No biopsy or follow up of any kind, which really concerns me given length of time.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.

Freely XXXXXXX lymph node without any tenderness for 6 years, reported as lymph node on ultrasonography need not be worried about as any changes would have increased the size, might have caused fixity and given some constitutional symptoms that you do not have.

Since there is too much of anxiety, I do advise my patients on the similar scenario the following:
-Get a review Ultrasonography and FNAC.

Excision biopsy helps in the following ways:
First of all, you'll get rid of the lump.
And you'll also get a confirmed diagnosis by histopathology report of the whole specimen and a chance to treat if there is a specific cause.

Please discuss this your Doctor and get the things as discussed above.
This is the sure-shot way to get over the anxiety.

I hope this answer helps you in decision making and be sure about.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (19 hours later)

Thank you. This eases anxiety somewhat, but the slow growth still concerns me, especially with father's history. Any thought on possible cause of growth?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Usually non-specific

Detailed Answer:
Slow growth of attaining 2 cm in 6 years does not specify anything. Such lymph nodes are usually turn out to be nonspecific on biopsy. But doing excision biopsy is the best way as already explained.
Mesothelioma is usually due to asbestosis. I hope you are not exposed to any asbestos. So no worry in this regard.
I sincerely hope this to be reactive lymph node.

Please get the things done and give me the reports.
Stop worrying till getting the final diagnosis.

With Regards.
Dr. T. Chandrakant.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad