What Does A Lymph Node Near Right Collar Bone Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 28 Apr 2014

Question: I noticed a small lymph node near my right collar bone a few months back. I am overweight so it wasn't something I could always find. This morning I noticed it, it is much easier to find and bigger. It's a bit bigger than a pea, it's hard, and I can "roll" it over my collar bone. I like reading about science/health issues and do not normally get scared until I've actually seen a doctor. But I don't see any other cause of my symptoms other than cancer. What are the other possibilities?

Answered by Dr. K. Harish (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Infection a possbility Detailed Answer: There are many causes for this. You have nodes related to infections under the jaw line. Hence, these could be related to infection. Any infective process leads to enlargement of nodes. It could be acute infections like aphthous ulcers, injury in the face with infection etc wherein the nodes would be tender to feel. It could be chronic infections like tuberculosis etc wherein it may be non- tender. Non infectious diseases like sarcoidosis etc can also cause nodal enlargement. As you have presumed, cancers can also cause nodal enlargements. It could be a cancer of the lymphoreticular system affecting the nodes itself or it could be elsewhere spreading to the nodes. your symptom of fatigue could be related to that. It may not be a node at all. Generally swellings in that area are lymph nodes. However, as a rare possibility, it may be something else like a fat tumor (lipoma) etc. As you have rightly understood, you have to see your doctor for diagnosis. But since you are otherwise asymptomatic, I feel that the chances of cancer are less.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. K. Harish (21 minutes later)

Thank you for your response. I forgot to add that when the fatigue occurs I also have joint pain. I have had three incidences since November of feeling like I have the flu but having no fever. The only diagnosis was a virus. I had no swollen lymph nodes at the time.

Answered by Dr. K. Harish (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer: ? infection Detailed Answer: Joint pain and fatigue is usually due to viral infection. That is the reason why I had told that it could be infection related. There are some vague infections which cause lymph node enlargements. Please get yourself examined by your doctor. I could say that it may not be a cause for worry but still your doctor alone would be able to reassure you after evaluation.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar