![]() ![]() Leukemias and lymphomas can present this way. Anytime new lumps and bumps are felt and are accompanied by fevers, chills and weight loss with no obvious infection, they should be evaluated by a health care provider immediately. Some newly discovered lumps, such as those in the breast, need to be evaluated right away. Remember the discussion here is about lymph nodes. The pathologist then examines it for abnormalities. Sometimes this is done with a needle, but more frequently the node is removed surgically. If a particular node persists after six to eight weeks with no response to antibiotics, it needs to be biopsied. Often times, a trial of antibiotics will be given, although if there is no other sign of infection it probably won’t do much good. If they continue to grow and persist over six weeks, they need to be evaluated by a physician. In my sister’s case, these small nodes aren’t very worrisome at all. It also depends on the size of the lymph node, how long it has been there, and how it feels. The medical approach to enlarged lymph nodes varies depending on the age of the person and other health conditions. When there are multiple nodes palpable in multiple areas, then one must be concerned about lymphomas and leukemias. When they are rock hard and persist they can be worrisome for metastatic cancer. When nodes are soft and tender and have just appeared recently, they are almost always a sign of an infection that, once cleared, will allow the nodes to return to normal size. They seem to come and go frequently because children have so many new infections. Children are very much more likely to have swollen nodes. Under 40 years of age, it is only 0.4 percent. ![]() When the body is fighting an infection, they may swell. Over age 40, persistent large lymph nodes have a 4 percent chance of cancer. The occipital lymph nodes are tiny glands in the back of the head. Multiple small nodes that she described are called “shoddy” by physicians. She had just had normal mammograms, so she didn’t think she had breast cancer, but wondered when she needed to worry. We have all been trained to watch out for “lumps and bumps.” This last week, my sister called concerned that she felt some “pea-sized lumps” under her arms. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |