Lymphoma..? Ultrasound results

[camilla77]

I have had swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck for months but haven't gotten around to start checking it propoerly until very recently. The doctor ordered a ultrasound as he wanted to check the exact location of the nodes as it appeared to be near the cartiod artery so was a bit worried about biopsy. Got the print out of the ultrasound today but don't have follow up appointment with my doctor until another week and the waiting is so hard. Can anyone help? This is what it says:

Scanning of the neck region shows a well-defined hypoechoic focus in the right lateral neck region measuring 2.08x1.44x0.46 cm. The hypoechoic focus is noted to be beneath the sternocleidomastoid muscle, adjacent and lateral to the carotid artery showing no vascularity under power Doppler imaging study. A smaller hypoechoic nodule with echogenic center is seen lateral to the aforementioned larger nodule measuring 0.80x0.46.0.41cm.

I should mention that I haven't felt particularly sick, just more tired than usual. The doctor gave me 2 weeks of antibiotic to see if the nodes would go down but they didn't. I of course hope this is something harmless but hard to wait anothe rweek.. Anyone who can offer insights? Thanks!!

[camilla77]

Thanks so much for your quick reply, I will ask my doctor to get the lab examinations done.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
From what you posted, you have 2 nodules (2.08x1.44x0.46cm and 0.80x0.46x0.41cm) found on your right lateral neck by ultrasound.  These could be reactive lymph nodes from a recent infection or from a chronic infection.  Infection is the common cause of lymph node enlargement in the neck.  Other considerations would be lymphomas and metastatic carcinomas.  You were given a 2-week course of antibiotic.  Oftentimes, even with treatment the enlarged lymph nodes do not shrink or return to its original size.  I suggest you also undergo other laboratory examinations and ancillary procedures in order to have a more definite diagnosis.
Good luck.

[camilla77]

I forgot to mention that I've had some light fever come and go and that I also have had some irregularities found in mammograms so am being advised to have that monitored any 6 months. Should i push for a biopsy of the neck nodes? My doc seems to be hesitant because they are located near the artery...