Lymph node problem

[Vallies]

I have had rock hard lymph nodes in my neck and under my chin for about six mo or so i had blood tests chest xray ct scans and all came back clear. My doctor is sending me to an eyes ears nose and throat doc. I would like to know what could be wrong? Can it be cancer?

[riley180]

The risk of cancer is present. Another risk is for infections like sarcoidosis and tuberculosis, you may need to assess your risk factors for both with your doctor, if it wasn’t done already. To evaluate for a possible malignancy, a biopsy is mandated.

[jenny2008]

When you're fighting an infection, nearby lymph nodes increase in size and become tender. Normally, lymph nodes are less than 1/2 inch across (about the size of your fingernail). But, with an infection, they can swell to 2 or 3 times their usual size. They will slowly return to normal in 2 to 4 weeks, when the infection is gone. The lymph nodes may also feel hard or firm. The skin near a swollen lymph node may feel warm.

Swollen lymph nodes also called as Lymphadenopathy is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Other causes include allergic reactions, arthritis, cancer, metabolic diseases, and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Certain medications can also cause lymphadenopathy e.g. Penicillin,  Atenolol (Tenormin) ,Captopril (Capozide) ,Carbamazepine (Tegretol) etc.

Enlarged lymph node at the chin and neck could be due to infections of head, neck, sinuses, ears, eyes, scalp, and pharynx and malignancy. Only 1% of reported cases of lymphadenopathy could be due to malignancy according to recent study. So no need to worry. But its better to find the cause.

When lymphadenopathy is localized evidence of infection, skin lesions or tumors should be ruled out. Other nodal sites should also be carefully examined to exclude the possibility of generalized rather than localized lymphadenopathy.

Fine needle aspiration and biopsy is usually done to rule out malignancy.