I had a virus a couple or three of months ago and since have noticed that
one of my lymph nodes in my neck in front of my ear has enlarged. The
doctor measured it at about 23mm. It is hard like a very tight water
balloon not like a rock but it isn't tender. It seems as though I can move
it around somewhat though. The doctor is stumped but says that if it
doesn't go down in the next 2-3 weeks he is going to refer me to an ENT doc.
He says the size is what concerns him. I asked him to rx an antibiotic just
in case it isn't inflamed due to an infection. The fact that it isn't
tender concerns me as the literature says that with infection it is usually
tender. I don't notice any of the other lymph nodes that I can get to on my
neck, armpit or groin to be enlarged. How concerned should I be? What are
the chances with these details tht it could be cancer? I do feel somewhat
congested, have post nasal drip and my nose often runs. Any advise or
feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Peter Moran - 19 Mar 2005 21:43 GMT
> I had a virus a couple or three of months ago and since have noticed that
> one of my lymph nodes in my neck in front of my ear has enlarged. The
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> congested, have post nasal drip and my nose often runs. Any advise or
> feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Not likely from the virus, from what you describe. If a hard lump of that
size is very mobile and it feels as though it is just under the skin, it
could well be a benign pleomorphic adenoma (mixed salivary tumour) of the
parotid gland. An inflammatory gland or any kind of cancerous lump would
be less mobile and they "feel" deeper.
You will need to see a surgeon dealing with such problems .
Peter Moran