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What Causes Swollen Lymph Node Under Jaw?
Question: Hi Doctor,
I had a lymph node right side under the jaw 3 months back.
2 months back, I had a cold and I have seen a very small node on right side of neck.
(This is very much inside with muscle. One has to press and rub to feel, very small)
When I had cold it was paining and now there is no pain it is not growing but it has not gone.
The node under the jaw feels like very small some times and sometimes a bit big.(Ultra sound said it is 1.3 * 0.5 cm). The thing about this node is that I feel this will be of 1cm * 0.3 mm for some days like which is shown in the UltraSound and it decreases, but not vanishing.
If I had to suspect some injury/viral infection inside and the lymph node is because of that, should it increase or stay same right?
Doctor said when I say the node is decreasing in size and increasing and in the range of 1cm, there is nothing to worry about it.
Went to 3 ENT Doctors and everyone said same with some basic examination of Ear Nose and Throat.
I went to Dentist and done pre cancer screening with VelScope( I am not sure if it helps or not)
Just want your opinion if there is something to worry in this scenario and please let me know when actually is something to worry about?
I had a lymph node right side under the jaw 3 months back.
2 months back, I had a cold and I have seen a very small node on right side of neck.
(This is very much inside with muscle. One has to press and rub to feel, very small)
When I had cold it was paining and now there is no pain it is not growing but it has not gone.
The node under the jaw feels like very small some times and sometimes a bit big.(Ultra sound said it is 1.3 * 0.5 cm). The thing about this node is that I feel this will be of 1cm * 0.3 mm for some days like which is shown in the UltraSound and it decreases, but not vanishing.
If I had to suspect some injury/viral infection inside and the lymph node is because of that, should it increase or stay same right?
Doctor said when I say the node is decreasing in size and increasing and in the range of 1cm, there is nothing to worry about it.
Went to 3 ENT Doctors and everyone said same with some basic examination of Ear Nose and Throat.
I went to Dentist and done pre cancer screening with VelScope( I am not sure if it helps or not)
Just want your opinion if there is something to worry in this scenario and please let me know when actually is something to worry about?
Brief Answer:
In cancer, the nodes are usually hard and fixed...Confirmed with biopsy...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
1. The frequent alteration in the size of the lymph nodes happen during the episodes of infection or inflammation. Most of the lymph nodes does regress in the size once the inflammatory process reduce. But, there are instances wherein, there is constant inflammatory process happening in a particular part of the body and the lymphnodes remain enlarged without any signs of regression. Hence, in most of the cases the enlarged and non-tender lymphnodes are considered to be normal.
2. In cases of suspected cancer, the lymphnodes are usually very firm to hard in consistency and in most of the cases it's fixed to the surrounding structures making it unballotable. Fine needle aspiration cytology or excision biopsy of the lymphnodes can confirm the diagnosis.
3. Do not worry! In your case, the lymphnodes seem to be harmless and just a reaction to the inflammatory process.
Hope this clears your doubts.
Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
In cancer, the nodes are usually hard and fixed...Confirmed with biopsy...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
1. The frequent alteration in the size of the lymph nodes happen during the episodes of infection or inflammation. Most of the lymph nodes does regress in the size once the inflammatory process reduce. But, there are instances wherein, there is constant inflammatory process happening in a particular part of the body and the lymphnodes remain enlarged without any signs of regression. Hence, in most of the cases the enlarged and non-tender lymphnodes are considered to be normal.
2. In cases of suspected cancer, the lymphnodes are usually very firm to hard in consistency and in most of the cases it's fixed to the surrounding structures making it unballotable. Fine needle aspiration cytology or excision biopsy of the lymphnodes can confirm the diagnosis.
3. Do not worry! In your case, the lymphnodes seem to be harmless and just a reaction to the inflammatory process.
Hope this clears your doubts.
Revert back to me if you have any follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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