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Lymph Node Left Neck Enlarged 28mm For 5 Months Is Set For CT Guided Biopsy Next Week. What Should I Expect? What Is The Reason ?
Posted on
Thu, 2 Aug 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 2 Aug 2018
Answered on
Thu, 15 Dec 2022
Last reviewed on
Question : Lymph node left neck enlarged 28mm for 5 months, along with some in my cervical chain. Feel fine in fact great but Radiologist says possible metastasis. set for CT guided biopsy next week. What should I expect? Are there other reason why these nodes are swollen...I have really bad gums bleeding all the time and had a super bad flue that almost killed me--metaphorically speaking--right before spotting these things....
PS: WBC and Neutrophils have been high during the same period..only lowered just below the flag this last test time,
PS: WBC and Neutrophils have been high during the same period..only lowered just below the flag this last test time,
Brief Answer:
usually a safe procedure
Detailed Answer:
HI,
It is understandable to be concerned re any invasive procedure though this would be minimal invasion, minimal preparation is needed for this procedure.
If you are using any blood thinners, then the doctors at the imaging center may request that you discontinue them temporarily. You also would not be able to eat for 6 to 8 hours prior.
The CT scan would ensure that the doctor takes the biopsy of the specific area accurately. The CT is done first to mark the correct area.
The needle size varies, it can be a fine needle biopsy (these are even smaller than some needles used to take blood) or a core needle biopsy (there is an inner and outer sheath) or assisted by a vacuum.
It is an outpatient procedure so you would go home after it is completed.
You would be given medication to make you drowsy and also medication to numb the specific area though you may still feel a slight pinch when the biopsy is done.
Most persons do not have any complications from the procedure but possible complications include bleeding, infection or damage to surrounding structures.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Thanks
usually a safe procedure
Detailed Answer:
HI,
It is understandable to be concerned re any invasive procedure though this would be minimal invasion, minimal preparation is needed for this procedure.
If you are using any blood thinners, then the doctors at the imaging center may request that you discontinue them temporarily. You also would not be able to eat for 6 to 8 hours prior.
The CT scan would ensure that the doctor takes the biopsy of the specific area accurately. The CT is done first to mark the correct area.
The needle size varies, it can be a fine needle biopsy (these are even smaller than some needles used to take blood) or a core needle biopsy (there is an inner and outer sheath) or assisted by a vacuum.
It is an outpatient procedure so you would go home after it is completed.
You would be given medication to make you drowsy and also medication to numb the specific area though you may still feel a slight pinch when the biopsy is done.
Most persons do not have any complications from the procedure but possible complications include bleeding, infection or damage to surrounding structures.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
what are some benign reason's for persiatent enlarged lymph nodes in the neck on one side only?
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry for the delayed reply
Infection of a surrounding area or infection of the lymph node itself is the most common. There are usually symptoms pointing to an infection.
Trauma to an area can also cause enlargement to occur.
There are other causes as well eg autoimmune diseases such as lupus or RA but they would generally affect more than one area.
Unfortunately in some persons, enlargement of a single lymph node can sometimes signal a more serious cause eg cancer in the area or the spread of cancer to that lymph node from a distant area.
The biopsy would determine if this is the case.
If it is one of the more serious causes, there has been an advance in treatment in the majority of cancers to it is quite possible to have effective treatment.
Thanks.
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
HI
Sorry for the delayed reply
Infection of a surrounding area or infection of the lymph node itself is the most common. There are usually symptoms pointing to an infection.
Trauma to an area can also cause enlargement to occur.
There are other causes as well eg autoimmune diseases such as lupus or RA but they would generally affect more than one area.
Unfortunately in some persons, enlargement of a single lymph node can sometimes signal a more serious cause eg cancer in the area or the spread of cancer to that lymph node from a distant area.
The biopsy would determine if this is the case.
If it is one of the more serious causes, there has been an advance in treatment in the majority of cancers to it is quite possible to have effective treatment.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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