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What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes Under The Arms In A RA Patient?
Question: I have swollen lymph nodes under my arms. I have RA can this cause the swelling?
Brief Answer:
it could be RA
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
RA may cause lymph node enlargement during its active phases and may indeed involve the axillary lymph nodes (I suppose that's what you meant when you said "under my arms", right?). Before attributing the lymph node enlargement to RA, other causes will have to be considered. The clinical history is important in that regard. For example a patient with active RA may experience lymph node enlargement. Lymph node enlargement without adequate clinical justification or with suspicious signs (like their size, firmness, etc) should be investigated. Clinical examination and history taking is the right first step for you.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
it could be RA
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
RA may cause lymph node enlargement during its active phases and may indeed involve the axillary lymph nodes (I suppose that's what you meant when you said "under my arms", right?). Before attributing the lymph node enlargement to RA, other causes will have to be considered. The clinical history is important in that regard. For example a patient with active RA may experience lymph node enlargement. Lymph node enlargement without adequate clinical justification or with suspicious signs (like their size, firmness, etc) should be investigated. Clinical examination and history taking is the right first step for you.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My Rheumatologist said it can't cause the swollen lymph nodes. But I am having active RA. he didn't want to address that problem but said I need to get a biopsy. Should I be concerned.
Brief Answer:
a lymph node may be caused by various diseases
Detailed Answer:
Since your rheumatologist assessed your medical history and examined you, I can't say anything against his judgement. I can only say that lymph node enlargement is possible in RA and commonly occurs when the arthritis is active. If your rheumatologist has excluded RA as the cause or found suspicious features on your nodes then investigation is required. Biopsy is the best test to identify the cause. I would have asked for a breast examination too (clinical first, radiological afterwards).
Kind Regards!
a lymph node may be caused by various diseases
Detailed Answer:
Since your rheumatologist assessed your medical history and examined you, I can't say anything against his judgement. I can only say that lymph node enlargement is possible in RA and commonly occurs when the arthritis is active. If your rheumatologist has excluded RA as the cause or found suspicious features on your nodes then investigation is required. Biopsy is the best test to identify the cause. I would have asked for a breast examination too (clinical first, radiological afterwards).
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
well he spent 5 mins. with me. felt the nodes and sat he thought it was glands. But wanted a biopsy. .
Brief Answer:
Biopsy is a good choice in order to exclude serious causes
Detailed Answer:
Biopsy is the best test to be sure for the cause or at least to exclude some serious causes. RA is associated with various serious causes like lymphoma, or serious infections like tuberculosis (immunosuppressive treatment actually may cause that). I don't have the clinical information which is very important and the clinical details like your symptoms for example. The assessment of a lymph node is different if it's an asymptomatic node enlargement and a symptomatic node enlargement with fever or other symptoms.
Kind Regards!
Biopsy is a good choice in order to exclude serious causes
Detailed Answer:
Biopsy is the best test to be sure for the cause or at least to exclude some serious causes. RA is associated with various serious causes like lymphoma, or serious infections like tuberculosis (immunosuppressive treatment actually may cause that). I don't have the clinical information which is very important and the clinical details like your symptoms for example. The assessment of a lymph node is different if it's an asymptomatic node enlargement and a symptomatic node enlargement with fever or other symptoms.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No pain or fever with them. no ifection that I know of.
Brief Answer:
the less the findings the more important the biopsy
Detailed Answer:
Did you have a RA flare?
The less the findings and potential causes, the more important the role of the biopsy in determining the cause.
the less the findings the more important the biopsy
Detailed Answer:
Did you have a RA flare?
The less the findings and potential causes, the more important the role of the biopsy in determining the cause.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do have a flare with ulnar deveation that was not there before. but he wasn't concerned about changing my RA medicine until I had a biopsy
Brief Answer:
a flare can be accompanied by nodes
Detailed Answer:
Well... as I've said before, a flare can be accompanied by lymph node enlargement but I can't say why your doctor preferred the biopsy. Perhaps the nodes were too large or too firm or asymmetric or had any other suspicious feature. Have you done the biopsy already?
a flare can be accompanied by nodes
Detailed Answer:
Well... as I've said before, a flare can be accompanied by lymph node enlargement but I can't say why your doctor preferred the biopsy. Perhaps the nodes were too large or too firm or asymmetric or had any other suspicious feature. Have you done the biopsy already?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No I'm waiting on him to call a surgeon. I work in the OR and my brother is a surgeon there. I asked for one of the surgeons in his group. there are 3. I though my brother would be uncomfortable. I'm juct confused why my doctor would say RA wouldn't cause swollen lymph nodes
Brief Answer:
perhaps he meant that this particular node is not caused by RA
Detailed Answer:
I suppose that your doctor meant that this particular node is not likely to be caused by RA. I don't know... There's no doubt that RA may cause lymph node enlargement...
By the way, I would have chosen my brother! Removing a lymph node is not a major operation but brothers are usually more careful than complete strangers. I don't mean that any surgeon wouldn't be careful but your brother would probably ignore time pressure in your case and do whatever he can to make you feel more comfortable before and after the procedure. That's up to you of course!
Kind Regards!
perhaps he meant that this particular node is not caused by RA
Detailed Answer:
I suppose that your doctor meant that this particular node is not likely to be caused by RA. I don't know... There's no doubt that RA may cause lymph node enlargement...
By the way, I would have chosen my brother! Removing a lymph node is not a major operation but brothers are usually more careful than complete strangers. I don't mean that any surgeon wouldn't be careful but your brother would probably ignore time pressure in your case and do whatever he can to make you feel more comfortable before and after the procedure. That's up to you of course!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Lol the other 2 surgeons are in his office. I know them well due to my job in the OR. I will ask my brother if he will do it. thank you so much
Brief Answer:
you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Glad to help!
you're welcome
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Glad to help!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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