My boyfriend is 28 and has had swollen lymph nodes in his neck for 5 wks now progressively getting bigger... he is not sick and the blood work came back normal... The glands that are swollen are under his chin (top of neck) and going up to his ears (not behind, and not under his arm pits). His doctor said the ultra sound showed one node at 1.9cm and one at 2.6cm ...
Can anyone please give suggestions? He is going to see an E.N.T. specialist and I am pushing for him to have a biopsy taken when he does as opposed to waiting 6 months to check again (?! as suggested by his Doctor)
Please, all experiences and suggestions, advice is very welcomed and even more appreciated...
Thank you in advance
28 yr. old male
swollen nodes (x 4 weeks)
blood work normal
no fever
Update:Thank you very much both for taking the time to respond
Jenni - I pushed him to get the biopsy and I told him it was rediculous to even entertain the idea of waiting an additional 6 months (all with kind and gentle words, but come on! thats crazy!!)
Also, his nodes are visible on both sides now. Originally when he went to his DR. the first time it was only 2 and she gave him antibiotics. 3 1/2 weeks later the anti's didn't work and now he's got a bunch of swollen nodes in his neck... I'll push for the biopsy with urgency. He needs someone to push if his doctor wont...
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Definitely go with him to the ENT appointment and ask them to do the biopsy - they had to schedule mine for a few days later - they did not have the time to do it the same day. And I believe they also did an MRI in those same few days - to get another picture.
I had swollen lymph nodes on one side and it took me forever to get anyone to listen to me. MIne were about that size when they finally did, and I had thyroid cancer that had metastasized to the lymph nodes in my neck and chest (we found out about the chest later. )
The doctor should not refuse to do a biopsy (his family doctor is not trained to do them - that's precisely why they sent you to the ENT, and the ENT should do them if you ask - they probably will do them anyway.
Just try to stay calm for him, take a notebook to take notes, (the patient generally stops hearing anything after the word "cancer") and try to be there for him. Definitely go with him to the appointment. It took 6 months to get anyone to listen to my concerns - maybe if I had pushed harder, I would have stopped some of the spread. I'm looking at my 3rd surgery in December...
I had the same personal problem my lymph nodes were so big in my neck you could tell just by looking at me ....i didn't even feel sick either ..but everyday they just kept getting bigger i ended up having two oversized lymph nodes just on one side of my neck ...than i went to a E.N.T doctor...they really can't do anything there except refer you to get a biopsy...which i ended up getting a week later at the nearest hospital...
I advise to get it because they were saying that it could be a tumor and they need to know if its cancerous or not.
mine ended up being a tumor but it wasn't cancerous i have to go in again a few months from now and get it checked out but it has gone down now from the biopsy .......but if antibiotics and other meds are not working ..
Get a biopsy done ...it could be a serious thing or a minor thing ....but you shouldn't wait....
and i don't see how your doctor said come back in 6 months.......mine scedualed me immediately to a hospital..
Heyy!! Don't worry at all. You just have a virus. I'm getting through one right now. Whenever you get a sore throat you can get swollen glands. (lymph nodes) Haven't you ever had those before? Its just a sign of a cold/virus. I have almost the same thing only it hurts when I swallow. Highest my temp has gone is only 101. I've had it for 3 days and I'm feeling pretty much better now. Ready to go out by tomorrow. Just get a lot of rest drink fluids and you should be fine. Dont worry about cancer at all. Highly unlikely. Though you should go to the doctor and have them check if it is the flu or strep throat. I went and I have neither, just a virus. So relax and you will eventually get better. =)
If your boyfriend has already been on antibiotics with no results, he really should have a biopsy. (Sooner is better than later). That is the standard of care....
Good luck
I don't think its anything to worry about - However I wouldn't wait - i would try to find out what is causing it. It is probably some sort of infection etc.