Lymph node biopsy

i was diagnosed with lymphadenitis (infection of lymph nodes) a few weeks ago and treated with iv antibiotics which cleared the infection up. I had a routine ultrasound scan to check everything had settled in the nodes but it hasn’t! There are a group of cervical nodes which ‘don’t look good’, they didn’t say anymore, and they have taken 4 samples (core needle). I am going out of my mind with worry as both my consultant and radiologist prior to procedure were not still expecting a problem with the nodes.

  • Really sorry to hear that things haven't settled and I hope you won't have to wait too long for the sample results. 

    I know it is really hard but try not to worry too much or anticipate what it might be. The best thing to do to avoid thinking too much about this is to keep busy and distracted if you can and avoid looking things up online. I can imagine it is hard for you to do this at the moment but it will help you feel a little less anxious. 

    I hope you will also hear from others here who have been through all this before and that they will be along soon to share their story with you. 

    Keeping everything crossed for you that everything turns out fine. 

    Best wishes,

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Hi ivymaymod

    How did you get on? I had a biopsy of an auxiliary lymph node (armpit) today. I'm utterly petrified. Was expecting the radiologist to scan and send me on my way but they've said it looks abnormal (thick in parts). I also have raised nodes on my neck but she didn't say anything about them other than they're the same but wasn't sure if she meant they're ok or same as the auxiliary one.

    I have to wait a week for me results and I'm terrified.

  • Hi there is nothing as terrifying as waiting for these results. I had no abnormal cells but the sample size was small so cannot know for definite unless the whole node is removed. But I do feel reassured and have an ENT follow up appointment in a couple of weeks to check the neck has settled down I.e no bumps and if not will have mri scan I think.  

    Do you have any other symptoms? Did you have an infection? 

     

  • Hi

    Thank you for replying to me. I'm glad that no abnormal cells were found 

    I did have a streptococcal infection 6 weeks ago which I had antibiotics for. Could that affect auxiliary lymph nodes?

    I have had some weight loss, but my anxiety has been severe since a bereavement in September so I've not been eating as much as I should, so it can be explained. Other than that I've had no other symptoms.

    I'm so terrified as from reading others posts so many have been discharged straight after ultrasound with reactive nodes that the fact the radiologist wanted to biopsy is frightening. There don't seem to be very many posts of people that have had lymph node biopsies that have turned out to be nothing at all. I assume/hope there must be lots of people that have that exact outcome but maybe they don't post about it.

    I'm utterly petrified and so hope that this nightmare is over soon; I get my results Wednesday.

     

     

     

  • hi rach86 have you had your results? Sorry I have only just got back to you. How are you getting on? If you have been rundown and had an infection I would think it could be responsible? Where was the infection?x