What Can Cause A Lymph Node To Stay Swollen For 3 Weeks?

Posted on Sat, 5 Dec 2020

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

Sat, 5 Dec 2020 Answered on

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : My three questions:
1. What is causing pain in my shoulder/neck area?
2. What type of imaging or blood tests should i seek from my doctor?
3. What can cause a lymph node to stay swollen for 3 weeks?

Background.

A. I’ve been having this pain for 3-4 weeks. Primarily on my left side. Although both sides tend to hurt.

B. A swollen lymph node (see picture with a circle on it) for the same period of time. It has NOT gotten larger. My doctor reviewed and said it may go away on its own. He wasn’t too concerned.

C. Pain is worst after sleeping

D. Turning to the left or right or looking down causes stress on the neck

E. The shoulders (marked with a x on pics are bones that are sore to the touch)

F. The “M” is where pain is muscular in nature.

G. All other markings are general pain areas.

H. I had a physical with my doctor. No nerve issues found. He prescribed an anti inflammatory and to follow up in a few weeks.

Please advise on my 3 questions

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Answers

Detailed Answer:
Hi there

Thanks for the query

Answers to your questions -

1) Based on your symptoms listed, the pain in that marked area is likely due to cervical spondylosis and cervical radiculopathy.

2) I suggest getting an MRI cervical spine to confirm.

3) Chronic lymph node enlargement can be due to chronic infection, immune diseases, inflammation or cancer. A lymph node biopsy will confirm if it's any of these.

I hope I have answered your queries.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (3 days later)

My doctor is only order blood work and physical therapy. Should i request more? What can be ruled out or in through a full blood work?

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Answer is given below

Detailed Answer:
Blood tests can gauge presence or absence of infection, inflammation, certain blood cancers which may cause lymph node enlargement.

Biopsy of lymph nodes will confirm the cause of lymph node enlargement.

Xray or MRI scan of cervical spine can help shed light on the cause of your neck and upper back pain.

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