Question:

I have had a swollen lymph node right clavical for about three weeks now. My doctor did a CT scan of chest and mammogram. Also chest X-ray and blood work which all came out normal. She put me on Augmentin for 10 days but I got sick from it, so now just straight Amoxicillin. She does not believe it`s cancer from the testing, and it`s also soft in touch. The node itself isn`t painful, but it is around my neck. I`m a 49 year old female, and she said if the Amoxicillin doesn`t take it down, then I would get a biopsy. However, the first time I was on it, she did say she thought it had gone down. I just want to know if this info seems correct and if all the appropriate testing up to this point has been done?

Answer:

Lymph nodes can enlarge during infections such as a cold or skin infection.  Also cat scratches are a common reason.  Some tumors can show up in a lymph node as well.  The tests your doctor ordered appear to be appropriate to look for common cancers that could spread to a lymph node.  The exam is important too.  If the lymph node does not completely resolve with a short course of antibiotics, I agree that the lymph node should be biopsied or removed so that it can be evaluated under a microscope.  It is common for the lymph node to be enlarged without a clear reason and not cancerous, but it is important to be sure by removing it.  This can be done as an outpatient under local anesthetic or local with mild sedation. 

For more information:

Go to the Cancer health topic.