Mesenteric lymph nodes enlarged. Hmmmm!

[myaitalia]

I just had a biopsy for enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes that were found in the mid upper abdomen (1.5cm to 2cm) I can't find a lot information about it. Wondering what the most common cause is. I know it can be the result of viral infection, systemic (can systemic lupus cause it?) and cancers but the size and the fact that I believe they have been enlarged for a while (months) makes me feel viral would be excluded. But i dont know. Does any have experience or knowledge of what to expect with results? Also can they take one sample and expect to get an answer from that for sure? Could the results just come out as negative? Thank you! I just have no idea what to expect I just want to be prepared with more knowledge.

[myaitalia]

Thank you for responding. Let me ask! I just got a call from the doctor's office. They said they have good and bad news. the good news is that it did not show cancer. the bad news that all that it did not show anything, all that was in the specimen was muscle and fat. Is it possible that this means they didn't get a good specimen? I don't understand how this can be if I have (stated on CT) several enlarged lymph nodes in mid and upper abdomen ranging (and he pointed out one specifically 1.5 cm along the anterior portion of the IVC) and they said several also locally (which I don't know specifically what that means;if you could define that) ranging up to 2cm. This was my greatest fear and it doesn't make sense to me! Is it possible. I also got the CT in the first place cause I am in a lot of pain in my pelvic area, I have what is defined as explosive diarea, nausea, no vomiting and I sleep all the time and also have other symptoms but this has been going on for a while-since about Aug. I also know these lymph nodes or at least one has been enlarged about the same time cause I have felt a tugging pain I thought was due to adhesions from an operation i had last year for the the reversal of an illeostomy I had for 5 years from a subtotal colectomy (2007) I had (the result of adhesions suffocating my large intestines from a radical hysterectomy due to cervical cancer in 1996) this recent CT also showed "mild bowel lumen dial action at the site of the reversal, which I don't know either what is. Anyhow I guess my most important question would be if this result from the biopsy of the enlarged mesenteric nodes could come out that way? If they just didn't get a good specimen? I am just so upset right now. I don't get it. Thank you again for your response!

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hi there,
There are several causes of enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes.Viruses, bacteria and parasites all can cause enlarged lymph nodes. Inflammatory bowel diseases, connective tissue diseases, tuberculosis, terminal ileitis, diverticulitis all can cause enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. Only isolated mesenteric lymph node enlargement is due to adenocarcinoma of the gut. Only size may not help in determining the cause. A clinical correlation with your symptoms and disease progression is very important. See a gastroenterologist. Keep me posted.
Best wishes and regards!