Suggest Treatment For Swelling Under Armpits And Neck

Posted on Sat, 15 Nov 2014

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

Sat, 15 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 9 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I have swelling under my armpits & neck and legs, stomach and arms. I had initially a swollen face with a red mark, and diagnosed cellulitis. I have had 7 days of antibiotics, but the symptoms keep fluctuating. My massage therapist has performed 2 lymphatic drainages, one this morning, but I feel more swollen tonight. She said she could see lymph nodes in my chest this morning. Just wondering on advice on whether there is any specialist that looks after this or how long should I expect before things might clear up?

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please consult hematologist.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

From your description it seem that you have general lymphadenopathy. Due to enlarged lymph nodes in multiple location lymph fluid can not circulate properly what give soft tissues swelling in result. Lymphadenopathy can indicate serious condition. In general there are two reasons for enlarged lymph nodes. First is an infection. Second (more serious) is lymphoma (Hodgkins or non-Hodgkins lymphoma), leukemia or metastasis from any other cancer.
That is why you should not just wait with it. Please consult HEMATOLOGIST as soon as possible. Blood work should be done and nodes biopsy to rule serious conditions out.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari