Enlarged Lymph Node Help

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Michael Roback - 19 Mar 2005 18:57 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
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 is smooth, not rough. 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 (Augmentin) just in case it isn't inflamed due
to an infection. I have a gap in a back wisdom tooth that traps food
sometimes. I plan on having it pulled but there is minimal pain and no
swelling of the gums that would suggest 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.

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld - 19 Mar 2005 19:11 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 - 13 lines]
> somewhat congested, have post nasal drip and my nose often runs. Any advise
> or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

    There are lymph nodes in the area. Trying to describe consistency with
words is difficult. However, inflamed nodes are usually tender. No one
can say if this is a tumor or not, but it certainly should be investigated.
    The statistics are relatively meaningless--it is what it is. But while
there are lymph nodes in the area and this conceivably could be a tumor
of the lymph nodes, it is more likely it is a cyst or tumor of the large
salivary gland (parotic) which sits over the angle of the jaw under the
ear. Most tumors of the parotid are not malignant, though they can be
locally aggressive and must be totally removed.
    An ENT doctor or an oral/maxillofacial surgeon should be able to advise
further.

Steve

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Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001

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Joel M. Eichen - 19 Mar 2005 22:58 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
>doctor measured it at about 23mm.

Almost one inch ........ 25.4 mm equals an inch or 2.54 centimeters to
the inch.

Its easy to remember ,,, 35 mm film is an inch and a quarter.

> It is hard like a very tight water
>balloon not like a rock but it isn't tender. It is smooth, not rough. It
>seems as though I can move it around somewhat though.

OK where exactly is it located in relation to your ear?

> 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.

Would this be below the angle of jaw or above it?

> He says the size is what concerns him. I
>asked him to rx an antibiotic (Augmentin) just in case it isn't inflamed due
>to an infection. I have a gap in a back wisdom tooth that traps food
>sometimes.

Why I asked ....... where is it DRAINING?
This is the function of lymph nodes.

> I plan on having it pulled but there is minimal pain and no
>swelling of the gums that would suggest an infection. The fact that it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>somewhat congested, have post nasal drip and my nose often runs. Any advise
>or feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

How long has this presented itself?

Joel M. Eichen

DDS

(Not diagnosis, merely information).

DISCLAIMED

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