What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes In The Neck?

Posted on Thu, 1 Sep 2016

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

Thu, 1 Sep 2016 Answered on

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : What does this mean?

Answered by Dr. Naveen (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Normal study... No signs of malignancy...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

I have gone through the report and following is the interpretation:

1. Both of your tonsils are normal, but slightly enlarged which is harmless.
2. The lymph nodes which drain the infective fluids (lymph) from the tonsils are enlarged minimally. This implies, there is some ongoing inflammation in the area of the drainage i.e. the tonsils or pharyngeal wall.
3. The relief is, MRI does not show any signs of malignancy of the tonsils.

Hence, the report is absolutely normal.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Naveen (13 minutes later)

I now realize I do have a growth on my neck.. Lymphoma? Can you live with that? What else could it be I am very nervous!. All blood work normal.. Is it curable? If it is lymphoma.. And that report was done in January.. Not now

Answered by Dr. Naveen (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The growth in the neck may not be lymphoma...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

Lymphomas are diagnosed by the presence of lymph nodes in various parts of the body and in the spleen. Presence of just one group of lymph nodes does not go in favor of lymphomas.

Most of the individuals will be having painless lymph nodes and they are absolutely normal. Yes, the normal blood counts says it all, you are perfectly normal. Isolated lymph nodes regress with a course of oral antibiotics. Seldom, it may not regress, but that's normal.

I think you are unnecessarily getting nervous about this. The blood features don't change in such a short period.

Hope this clears your doubts. Wish you good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Naveen (20 minutes later)

The blood work I just got done. Everything was perfect.. But the mri report you saw was done in January and now I have the lump.so the report is 7 months old. . Would lymphoma show up in a blood test?. The only current thin give have is a complete blood test with liver and everything else.. Could this be lymphoma? I also havd huge tonsils with one bigger then the other.

Answered by Dr. Naveen (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, lymphoma can be partially diagonsed with blood counts

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for writing back

Yes, if there is altered white blood counts and any variation in the type of white blood cells seen in the peripheral smear, as well as, mutiple lymph nodes in the neck, arm pits, groin, abdomen and enlarged spleen, indicates probable lymphoma.

To rule out the same, biopsy of the lymph nodes and bone marrow examination is required.

Hope this clarifies your doubts.

Regards
Dr.Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

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