Swollen Lymph Nodes in Neck

[robbb0]

I am 43yo male, and recently had US and CT scan of the neck to investigate two swollen lymph nodes which were present for longer than a year in my left neck. Several nodes were found on the jugular(mid) chain, many sub-centimeter and 5 >= 1 CM the largest ones were 2.26, 1.65 and 1.55 CM. They are on both sides of the neck and under my chin as well. Nothing else was found in CTs of abdomen and groin. I have a biopsy scheduled for next month, but have read myself into anxiety attacks. I have read that anything above 1 CM is abnormal. I have no pain in the nodes themselves but have developed pain in the neck which seems like a stiff neck, and pain exists with any pressure from straining or lifting, also movement related pain in neck, chest and spine in the same region. No signs of infection at all, but do have extreme fatigue, back pain, some weight loss, among other varied symptoms. My Primary Dr said since no other enlarged nodes were found in other regions, he is not concerned about lymphoma.

Are there other conditions that could cause lymph nodes to be swollen for this length of time? Should I be as concerned as I feel about this, or is it more likely not related to something  serious? Is it possible to have lymphoma without nodes in other regions showing signs? Are biopsies only done when cancer is suspected? Any other info or suggestions are welcomed, I am not usually one to worry about such things, but for whatever reason this has me having some anxiety waiting for the biopsy.

[supercross]

They say sometimes lymph nodes grow big due to infections and never go back to normal undetectable size even after an infection is cured. If this is your case then it is good news for you and you don't have to worry as long as the lump doesn't bother you. As I've pointed out and quoting from what I've read, it is only through biopsy that you'll figure out if it is malignant or not. They can do it through incision or fine needle aspiration. Incision is more precise since they'll take out the whole node and examine it, in a fine needle biopsy only a part of the mass/fluid is sucked through a fine needle and examined.

[rita555]

i had abdomin ultrasound  done and chest x ray also its normal

[rita555]

I asked my family doctor she said it can be malignant and can be infection that you don't know. and said we will check .
Due you think its just a shotty node, it feels like it appear out of nowhere. I had low platelet count 66, she didn't even check for lymph nodes if its swollen or not , i asked her to check she said its enlarged but its OK, i insist her for ultrasound and in ultrasound i got above results . i don't even know how long nodes been enlarged. soe thimes feel like it was like that only but don't really know.    

[rita555]

thanks supercross

I have an appointment with hematologist/oncologist next week. I will ask him. i hope looking at the ultrasound results he might suggest lymph node biopsy?

[supercross]

I think you need to have that interpreted by a doctor or pathologist. Also only through biopsy that you'll know if it is malignant or not and not by ultrasound.

[rita555]

I am 38 yrs old maile.In routine CBC(Dec2009) found that my platelet count is 66000 rest all within normal range. I had Ultrasound of neck lymph nodes. It say as follows.
"Two prominent lymph node are seen in  upper Right Anterior measuring 1.2X0.6 cms, 1.4X0.9 cms.Two prominent lymph node are seen in  upper Left Anterior measuring 1.3X0.6 cms, 0.8 X0.5 cms.
Three nodes are seen at the angle of mandible measuring  0.5 X0.3 cms,  0.5 X0.7 cms 1.0 X0.5 cms. Larger nodes have lost their normal central hilar echoes and follow up is indicated.
Is this(Echo pattern) is one of the gold standered for differentiating malignant from benign one, When discovered on Ultra Sound.

Appreciate your response
with Many Thanks and Regards