Swollen Supraclavicular Lymph Nodes (Right Side)

Has anyone else gone through this with a good outcome? I first noticed a single swollen lymph node in my neck (right side) - supraclavicular area in March. I went to the doctors and was told to wait for a couple of weeks to see if it goes down on its own...it didn't. Had an ultrasound during which another lump was also found on the left side of my thyroid, during that ultrasound a FNA was taken from the lymph node. It was found to be a reactive lymph node. I was then referred to endocrinology to assess the lump in the Thyroid - this increased in "echogenicity" between April and July, so a FNA of the Thyroid was requested. In October I had US guided FNA of the Thyroid, during which a second swollen lymph node was noted under my right collar bone. This was also FNA'd at the same time. The Thyroid came back as begin TH3 nodule, and the second lymph node as reactive again. Then in October, the whole right supraclavicular area swelled up, and was sore and red. The inflammation went down, but then I noticed there were now at least 4 swollen lymph nodes in the right side of my neck, the original one had swelled to 3cm. Yet another ultrasound was scheduled in December during which they confirmed there are many more swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck (4-5 large ones and several smaller ones) and 1 on the left side near the centre of my neck. At this point I also had discomfort when swallowing - as if there is a lump in my throat - or like someone is pushing into my throat under my voice box. I was then sent for a core biopsy of the largest lymph node the very next day. Referred to the head and neck team who acknowledged there are swollen lymph nodes of which 4 are palpable, they put an endoscope down my throat and couldn't see anything in my throat, and thus was told that the feeling of pressure in my throat when swallowing is in my head. - I know it is not in my head, as the discomfort wakes me up in the night, along with pain under my right shoulder blade. I believe it to be lymph nodes or my thyroid pushing onto my oesophagus. I am still pending the histology results from the core biopsy, and so are the doctors. I have night-sweats once or twice a week, have lost 5 pounds since the summer and don't seem to be getting any answers. They just keep looking at the lymph nodes themselves - rather than looking at the rest of my body, e.g. chest, where the right supraclavicular lymph nodes are implicated... Is there anything I can do to feel more comfortable in the meantime with swollen lymph nodes? Even if they are just reactive - they are uncomfortable and effect my quality of sleep.
  • Hello Mandy1991, 

    Poor you you seem to have had a really rough time with these and I hope that the core biopsy will shed some light on what is going on. It must be really frustrating to feel that you are not getting any answers. As you are not feeling very well and experience these night sweats, weight loss and are not sleeping properly, I think it would be worth getting in touch with your GP about this or seeking a second opinion. Do mention that you are not feeling very comfortable at the moment and that this is having an impact on your quality of life and sleep. I hope you feel better soon.

    I hope that you will hear from others here who have experienced this before and that they will be along shortly to share their story with you. I

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Update - I had a call on Friday from the hosptial, the core biospy showed "suspicous cells", for lymphoma, i have an urgent referral to the Heamatologist with appointment this coming Monday, a specialist nurse will also be at the appointment, im also pregnant with my first. Life really throws challenges - seems like im on the right path for investigation and treatment now, so thats positive.

  • To be honest, reading your first post before seeing this one, I was thinking "why don't they just remove a lymph node" Core biopsies can miss certain cells and someone i worked with, who also turned out to have lymphoma kept getting told the biopsies were fine. The surgeon then decided just to be on the safe side and take an entire one out. Once they did this, the lymphoma was found.

    The problem with core biopsies is, they have to actually hit the spot with the questionable cells before a positive result can be obtained. Taking an entire lymph node allows them to test all the tissue. I get some nodes aren't able to be removed in full due to location or being located right next to major blood vessels, but when there are multiple, you'd think one would have been a candidate.