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What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes In The Neck?

Posted on Wed, 10 May 2017

Question: Hi I'm a 32 male. I have a history of tonsil and lymph node issues on my neck. I had a peritonsillar abscess years ago. I also had mono which really hurt my tonsils and caused several lymph nodes on my neck to enlarge and not go down. I had them biopsied by FNA twice and everything turned out clear. Now about five years later I have some concerns about my throat again. I've had some odd pain or discomfort when swallowing on the right side for a week or so no. No redness no swelling no white spots. It's definitely not an infection. I went to an ENT today and he scoped through my nose and saw nothing concerning. But later on I took a really good look at my tonsils and noticed that my right tonsil pillar has a bit of a bump on it. Maybe half the size of a pea but when I feel it with my finger there's an firmness to it that I definitely don't have on the other side. Seems like a little firm mass. About the size of half of a pea maybe. Clearly not big enough for my ENT to even notice it this morning. But It feels a lot more concerning than it looks tho. My first reaction was oh crap I found tonsil cancer. I know a biopsy is the only way to tell for sure but do you think that's what it is based on what you see? Any advice would be greatly appreciated since I am real anxious about this right now.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hello dear. It seems normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. I have gone through the details. As you said the scopy has been done by an expert and he found nothing, there is highly unlikely tha it is a cancer. Cancer is an obvios thing which is suspected when somebody sees a mass lesion. Moreover, as you have felt a small mass. it can be either a mild fibrosis due to repeated infection or biopsy or sometimes a tonsillolith which is behind the pillar and difficult to visualise. No need to woory as all these conditions are benign. Again i repeat, cancer is not there. rest assured.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (4 hours later)

Here are links to what the mass looks like.

XXXX
XXXX

It definitely feels firm.

Does this appear concerning to you?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. it is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear.
I have seen the pics. So it appears normal. Nothing to worry about it.
Thanks and regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (5 hours later)

Hello again - what scares me is that when I run my finger over this lump it is definitely a hard firm mass compared to the rest of my tonsil. The other tonsil is soft. You would still recommend ignoring it entirely?

Answered by Dr. Deepak Sundriyal (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello. It looks benign

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear. Yes it appears benign. Only reason to worry if only it increases in size.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana