benign lymph node follow up

[nancy911]

I was recently diagnosed with a benign lymph node.  It is located against my chest wall.  I was told to come back in six months for a follow up.  Why do I need to follow up if everything is OK and the lymph node is benign?  Is there still a question as to whether it really is benign or not, thus the follow-up?

[nancy911]

Thank you for responding.  I am worried because I have been going for routine mammograms for the past eight years and I do practice BSA without ever having any problems.  Neither my clinician nor myself are able to feel anything unusual in the lump/area in question.  It is very clear on the mammogram.  It happens to be in an area deep into my chest as I said before against my chest wall.

Anyway, thank you for your response.  I will wait six months and hope for the best.

Nancy

[Dr Vinod]

It is always good that you have a benign lymph node. It is very common to have swollen lymph nodes.The follow up is to know whether there is any activity and increase of nodes in that area?
If after 6months to 1year there are no more increase of nodes and there is no activity then the clinician will advise you accordingly.
Breast self examination is a boon to women and this has prevented many women to develop fatal cancers and also you have to let yourself examined by a clinician in an yearly basis whenever you have nodes/lumps etc.
Please do not worry and go ahead. This is routine and mandatory and for your safety.
Thank You