Swollen lymph nodes are my working life
. There a couple of reasons for enlarged lymph nodes. so called reactive or lymphoma, or carcinoma. The job of lymph nodes is to expand the lymphocyte populations to an infection. They are a hot spot where B lymphocytes are matured and increase in number. Many important changes happen to those cells as well. You may notice that when you have a throat infection you can see very red tissue in your throat. These are your tonsils, lymph nodes that have a primary function in protecting against infection through the mouth and nose. Your sore throat is due in part to inflammation of those lymph nodes.
Enlargement of lymph nodes is of no great concern, as long as they do not stay enlarged for long periods of time (months). If they do you get checked. The usual assay is called an FNA, fine needle aspirate, essentially a pathologist sticks a needle into the node takes out some cells and sends them to a lab, like mine. It's usually done under a local, and may or may not be ultrasound or CT guided, depending where the node is.
We look at the cells and say it's reactive or lymphoma and if lymphoma what type it is. If it is lymphoma, and MOST are NOT, then you will have a CT scan to see if any other nodes are inflammed.
If its reactive or benign, just swollen no evidence of reactive or disease. thats the end of the story.
If it is lymphoma then you are treated. Treatment advances have been enormous in the last few years and there is increasing hope that many lymphomas may soon be curable.
But bottom line. Swollen nodes does not mean lymphoma, but get changes in the body checked out.
Easy to treat stuff early and getting it checked settles you down mentally as well.
Sorry for the long message.
Hope you are OK Nero, and don't worry.
I can always do a house call to see if you have any interesting swellings
Cindy
