tracheal nodes

I have lots of chest pain, went and had cat scan they said  there was a node in the paratracheal area, and my thymus gland was enlarged, what does this mean? I've never had any pulmonary problems before. I do not smoke either please give me some insight?

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,
If you are less than 35 years old, (more so if you are under 25 - one of the considerations would be lymphoma (the nodes in that area are commonly involved in some groups of lymphoma particularly Hodgkin's lymphoma).

The thymus enlargement would raise the possibility of thymoma.

Do you have any problems with your eyelids? Ever notice that your eyelids feel a bit droopy by the afternoon? These are symptoms of Myasthenia gravis - a disorder of nerve conduction causing consequences of muscle weakness. There are certain cases of Myasthenia associated with a thymus mass. Your chest pain raises some concern - if it feels likel you are having difficulty breathing. Myasthenia may also affect nerves controlling strength of breathing and hence the heaviness of breathing associated with muscle weakness. If the symptoms sound like this, best to have the chest pains evaluated as soon as possible as the muscle weakness is progressive, myasthenia must be ruled out.  

Whatever the cause, there is a good chance that you would need a biopsy of this mass. Some cases of lymphoma present with masses elsewhere such as above the clavicle, the neck, the armpit, and near the groin and hence the biopsy may be directed elsewhere.

Of course there are other causes of a mass in that area which are not necessarily malignant. If you are young as I am guessing - these are likely congenital malformations involving bone, nerve, blood vessels, along the area.

Stay positive and get an appointment if you suspect that your chest pain may be associated with myasthenia.