Lymph Node:

[boyandhisdog]

I am sorry to post this in the breast cancer forum, but I find that no one outside of the breast cancer field has much information regarding lymph node removal.  About two weeks ago I had what was supposed to be a simple surgery to remove a lipoma.  The lump was located approx. 2" above my elbow on the inside of my dominant arm.  After removal, my plastic surgeon informed me he had removed a lymp node which was biopsied and was negative.  Clearly, if I had been told it was a lymph node, I wouldn't have had it removed.
At this point, I have three concerns.  
1.  My fear of lymphedema is very great which my surgeon more or less scoffed at.  I am a young (39) year old male who works with his hands, on a farm, with a family to support.  I can't stop lifting anything over 10 pounds, etc.
2.  Since the surgery, I developed a large hard lump under the incision site.  It is about the size of a grape and it protrudes the skin.  It is larger than the original lump that I went in for.  (Albeit I know the lump is not lymphedema.)  It is neither painful nor red (again, 15 days post surgery).
3. Will this lump possibly put more stress on my lymphatic system?
I truly apologize for posting in the breast cancer forum where their are people with concerns that likely put mine to shame but outside of breast cancer experts, no one seems to have much idea what lymphedema even is and where I live second opinions are almost impossible to find.
Thanks in advance.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear boyandhisdog:  There are multiple lymph nodes in the body.  These reside everywhere but are concentrated in higher numbers in the axilla (arm pit), groin, neck, and then internally.  Lymphedema generally occurs when there is damage to a large number of lymph nodes – such as in the armpit.  Lymphedema was much more common when surgeons removed large quantities of lymph nodes (nearly all of them – sometimes as many as 20-30) from the arm-pit.  Radiation therapy to this area can sometimes cause lymphedema as well.  Lymphedema is unlikely in the setting of a solitary lymph node excision, regardless of its location – unless there is associated damage to the other nodes.  Without evaluation, we cannot speculate on the hard lump you describe – there are many possible post operative explanations and your surgeon would be best equipped to answer this question.

[boyandhisdog]

Thanks so much for your comments.  They are genuinely appreciated.