Suggest Treatment For Hard Swollen Lymph Node Behind Clavicle

Posted on Tue, 5 Jan 2016

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

Tue, 5 Jan 2016 Answered on

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : hello Dr.Ryanne I was curious.. I have a rock hard node just behind the clavical ..it is immovable non tender . I have been told to have a biopsy ..I just now found another node same consistency just a tad smaller on the other side. my question is does this mean it's now more likley just an infection rather than a malignancy or could this also mean malignancy having bilateral nodes ? I would rather not have a biopsy if it's unlikely for malinancy. Thanks in advance .

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
FNAC, preferably biopsy ASAP.

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read your history and understood your concerns.
I do agree with you.

Noted your history of rock hard node and the appearance of similar node on the other side.
Since the lymphatic channels have their own different circulation, it is difficult to predict whether the appearance of anther node is due to infection of malignancy.
And most importantly, rock hard, immobile, and non-tender node should be investigated ASAP. Preliminary FNAC or the best option is biopsy must be done at the earliest and the further tests to find the focus of origin should be done.

I hope this answers your query, 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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (8 hours later)

Thank you I will follow up with results as I'm sure you will be curious as to what it is also !

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Awaited.

Detailed Answer:
Certainly yes.
Awaited.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)

hello .. so I went to the doctors this morning and she said it feels like it's coming from the rib that it could be a bone mass ..she said it's probably nothing to worry about but is sending me for x ray and ultrasound along with blood work I haven't made the appointments yet but I will do so after we speak . are these the right tests do you think ?

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, the right tests.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
With the description your Doctor has given, X-ray and Ultrasonography are the basic investigations, well ordered.
May be the CT scan or MRI would have been better as a next stage if indicated by the reports of the basic tests.
Please tell me the reports.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (13 hours later)

thank you I will upload the results maybe you could give me your opinion on them also and let me know what the best course of action is at that point

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Sure.

Detailed Answer:
Indeed, I shall, once I get the results.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (3 days later)

so I went for the test blood work and ultrasound and at the ultrasound officw they didn't have an msk specialist in ? they ultrasound tech felt the lump and she did look over with the ultrasound wand then said I'll be right back but not sure if she took pics .. she cam back took some pictures and said I wouldn't need an x ray because it's a soft tissue thing .. what does this mean .. waiting for results .. they said the latest Monday

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not a bony thing

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Saying you wound not need X-ray means this is not a bony thing.
Ultrasound is sufficient to say what it is .
Let us wait for the actual results instead of guessing.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (7 hours later)

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Surely waiting

Detailed Answer:
Hope to see the reports soon .

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (3 days later)

hello so I had the tests done and all results came back normal except the blood work I'm anemic .. I'm starting ferrous sulfate 300 MG 1 for 10 days then two a day for 3 months less ten days .. when I had gone for the ultrasound x ray .. they didn't have a MSK specialist in and so I had another lady .. she wanted to feel the lump and couldn't and asked if my dr felt it I told her yes .. she left and came back and took a few photos and said I wouldn't need an c ray I asked why and she explained because it was a soft tissue thing .. I wasn't upset at the time I just felt like perfect they found out what it was and I'll have the results soon .. I later followed up with my dr and she explained the results were normal and was upset they had cancelled the x ray stating that she is the ordering physician and they shouldn't be making those decisions .. so sent me for x ray wich came back normal also .. she isn't convinced and has reordered the tests .. I have them tomorrow at 11:15 am . I will post results as soon as I have them .. what do you think of this .

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Needs to be further investigated - awaiting reports

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your feedback.
Anemia can be a contributory factor or caused by the root cause. It is good that you continue the Ferrous sulfate as you have mentioned.
Read the things that went on in at the time of ultrasound. Ultrasound and X-ray are normal and hence re-ordered.
Waiting for the results of another tests that have been ordered,

I think of the following:
If the lump is/was found out, it needs to be seen and FNAC done.
If required CT scan or MRI can be done to see.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (6 hours later)

I'm sorr
y to bother you but I have been speaking with a dr kn thus site and I accidentally accepted is there a way to speak to the same dr again I was still following up with results from tests I had

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, the same Doctor carries on.

Detailed Answer:
No need to say sorry, we are here to assist to the maximum.
Yes, the same Doctor (me) will follow you.
On this website the same Doctor will follow you till you are satisfied.
Please carry on.

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

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

awesome .. thanks and here are the results I ment to post yesterday . these are the first test results ..should get the others before the weekend .. they are typically quite fast

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
waiting for the further reports.

Detailed Answer:
The ultrasound shows no lymphadenopathy or mass lesion seen
X-ray chest normal for the lungs, pleura, ribs and clavicle.

We can say so far so good.
I was just wondering what was that hard lump.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now

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