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Do Enlarged Lymph Nodes Indicate Cancer While On Steroids?
Question: I have had an enlarged lymph node behind my ear for 2 1/2 years now. It varies in size, up to 1 1/2 cm. It feels like cartiledge, is painless, and is mostly immovable (in can go in and out if pressed, though). I have no other enlarged lymph nodes. I also have no B symptoms (I mean... occasional mild night sweats when hot and humid if we're being generous. They're certainly not drenching). It recently shrank after I took some steroids for healing from dental work, but is growing back again (admittedly, I've been pressing on it a lot thanks to my OCD). I know cancer shrinks in response to steroids. I am convinced at this point that it is cancer, though my husband says this is my OCD talking. I am sick with worry and driving everyone around me mad. How worried should I actually be?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
A lymph node 1.5 cm size which has not really grown over 2.5 yrs is very unlikely to be cancer. Your husband doesn't feel it to be growing, so we will stick to that. Any lymph node can shrink to steroids, not just lymphoma. You don't have any other lymph nodes enlarged, or any symptoms.
So overall, I don't think there is any reason to worry. For peace of mind, you can get it checked by a doctor. In all probability, no further testing would be required.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Unlikely to be cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
A lymph node 1.5 cm size which has not really grown over 2.5 yrs is very unlikely to be cancer. Your husband doesn't feel it to be growing, so we will stick to that. Any lymph node can shrink to steroids, not just lymphoma. You don't have any other lymph nodes enlarged, or any symptoms.
So overall, I don't think there is any reason to worry. For peace of mind, you can get it checked by a doctor. In all probability, no further testing would be required.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I feel like it has grown some, though (my husband disagrees). 1 1/2 cm is just the largest it has gotten. Admittedly, I have a bad history with dandruff, and I know that lymph node is supposed to respond to dandruff; earlier this year, it even got so bad I had numerous open sores on my head (it took a few changes of shampoo to fix that problem). Could it have been already enlarged and then grown further in response to bad dandruff?
Brief Answer:
Maybe dandruff
Detailed Answer:
Yes you are right, dandruff can lead to enlargement of lymph glands. So again, more pointers to benign process.
Maybe dandruff
Detailed Answer:
Yes you are right, dandruff can lead to enlargement of lymph glands. So again, more pointers to benign process.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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