enlarged lymph nodes

My son is 9 yrs. old.  He has enlarged lymph nodes in his left armpit.  His old dr. took a CDC blood test and was watching it.  I swithced drs. and It appears they have gotten larger.  They took more blood tests and are going to take the nodes out for biopsy.  I been watching the nodes.  When my son wakes up they are larger or more pronounced.  As he goes about his day the either get smaller or "slide back in" is this odd?  I know the biopsy is to rule out lymphoma.  The only info. I find out taking out the nodes is under Br. cancer.  It appears there may be complications, poss. fluid pooling, blood press. issues etc. that I have read here.  Would that be something he would worry about?  If so, wouldn't it be better to take a needle biopsy instead of taking them completely out.  Also, my son has allergies we don't know to what no one has found out.  He wakes up really stuffy and it takes hours to clear if it does at all.  Could this be the reason for the enlarged nodes?  We go to the surgeon on Oct. 2 any info or questions I should ask then would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Metjet, When your son goes to see the surgeon they will discuss doing a biopsy of the lymphnodes.  A biopsy of the lymphnodes involves removing one of the enlarged lymphnodes or taking a needle biopsy of it.  This is not an extensive procedure and different from the type of procedure done for breast cancer surgery.  Lymph nodes can fluctuate in size, for instance, when the body is fighting infection they can become temporarily enlarged.

When you see the surgeon ask about what procedure they plan to do, what is involved in the care of the site if a biopsy is done, what may be complications you should watch for, and what to report.  Ask when results of the biopsy will be available, when to expect a call, or will a follow up visit be scheduled.