Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Enlarged Node In Neck, Fullness In Chest And Night Sweats?
Question: I would just like your thoughts on some symptoms I am having. I rely on the VA for my medical care as I am a veteran. However, I have not visited it for these symptoms but my gut is telling me go there. I am a 45 yr old white female. Relatively good health and work out daily. I was brushing my hair and found noticed a bulge in my neck I had a painless enlarged Rt. Supraclavicular lymph node. It is not huge and in the morning it seems larger but it is enlarged at all times. I do not have any infections or disease process at this present time. I have noticed though for the past year I have had horrible night sweats sometimes so bad that I actually thought I wet my bed. I thought that it was perimenopausal but I still have my regular periods and they are normal. I noticed in I would say the last 4 months a feeling of fullness in my chest, by this I mean when I get home from the gym or I am just laying on the couch I have to undo my bra because I feel like it is compressing my chest and making it hard to breath easily. I also have noticed that sometimes I feel like my face is on fire as if I am running a fever. I will take my temp and the highest it has gotten is 99 but I feel fine. Please give me some advice and your candid thoughts. Thank You
Brief Answer:
Please go for a complete physical with a thorough physician.
Detailed Answer:
On reading your history, I think you definitely should have a complete physical and discuss the things you reported above with the physician. And I think you should be seen promptly. I do not want to scare you and there can be benign processes causing your symptoms, but there is also the risk of lymphoma. I am basing this on the painless enlarged node, night sweats, and chest fullness symptoms.
It is possible to have hot flashes (feels like your face or neck are burning up) at your age even with normal regular periods. Also, thyroid disease can cause heat intolerance symptoms. But given all of your symptoms together makes me concerned that malignancy must be ruled out.
You need a thorough work up. You will likely need a biopsy of that lymph node, a chest X-ray to start, possibly chest and abdominal CTs and other tests depending on the results of these.
If the VA in your area is backed up when you call for an appointment (and do tell them your symptoms), and you can't get in to another one within driving distance, please make an appointment with an internist or family practice doctor outside of the VA. Again, this may all be individual benign things, but given the possibility of malignancy, time is of the essence because the earlier the stage, the better. And the sooner treatment is started the better.
I do not mean to cause any anxiety, just want you to take action ASAP.
Please go for a complete physical with a thorough physician.
Detailed Answer:
On reading your history, I think you definitely should have a complete physical and discuss the things you reported above with the physician. And I think you should be seen promptly. I do not want to scare you and there can be benign processes causing your symptoms, but there is also the risk of lymphoma. I am basing this on the painless enlarged node, night sweats, and chest fullness symptoms.
It is possible to have hot flashes (feels like your face or neck are burning up) at your age even with normal regular periods. Also, thyroid disease can cause heat intolerance symptoms. But given all of your symptoms together makes me concerned that malignancy must be ruled out.
You need a thorough work up. You will likely need a biopsy of that lymph node, a chest X-ray to start, possibly chest and abdominal CTs and other tests depending on the results of these.
If the VA in your area is backed up when you call for an appointment (and do tell them your symptoms), and you can't get in to another one within driving distance, please make an appointment with an internist or family practice doctor outside of the VA. Again, this may all be individual benign things, but given the possibility of malignancy, time is of the essence because the earlier the stage, the better. And the sooner treatment is started the better.
I do not mean to cause any anxiety, just want you to take action ASAP.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
thank you. Bejng in the medical field as i was in the navy that was what i was afraid of. I will get into there walk in clinic Tuesday. I will try to insist the complete the test you recommended. Cancer runs in my family. I have lost three to colon cancer in the last year plus my mother and both my grandmothers died of ovarian cancer in their 50's. I appreciate your time.
Brief Answer:
Yes, Tuesday will be good to get things started.
Detailed Answer:
I was thinking last night after writing you that perhaps I should have written to go to be seen even if it isn't for a complete exam yet. Getting things started with tests is more important.
Add a CBC with manual differential to that list of initial tests too.
If you don't think the process of getting a biopsy and tests are happening quickly enough, do be quite assertive.
I hope this turns out to be nothing at all.
If possible, please let me know how you are doing after some tests are done.
Yes, Tuesday will be good to get things started.
Detailed Answer:
I was thinking last night after writing you that perhaps I should have written to go to be seen even if it isn't for a complete exam yet. Getting things started with tests is more important.
Add a CBC with manual differential to that list of initial tests too.
If you don't think the process of getting a biopsy and tests are happening quickly enough, do be quite assertive.
I hope this turns out to be nothing at all.
If possible, please let me know how you are doing after some tests are done.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
