Swallowen Lymph Nodes After Treatment

OK, Dad has beena year after radiation, chemo, neck dissection. Feeling good, eating on his own and even working.  Over the past 2 months the doctors have been following a few very small swallowen lymph nodes way back behind the neck.

They say because he has no other lymph nodes in the front where we would normally see nodes these other kick in to help.  They say they are small and soft.  They do not biopsy them if the are under 2 cm and/or are soft not hard.  Since Dad's are soft and definatley under 2 cms they are just watching.

So they are folowing him monthly for any changes in the size or hardness.

Anyone have this experience before? Any suggestion?  I wanted to biopsy immediatley but surgeon feels they are not apporiate for biopsy.  Any experience with that?  

I was told the same thing about my lymph nodes. I have occasional swelling in my neck from the overworked ones that are left from radiation therapy. The ones in your dad's neck may have an infection ( happened to me last month, my throat swelled shut and I spent the night in the hospital getting shot up with antibiotics, steroids and saline). I think your docs know what to look for, but if you are uncomforatable with it, get a second opinion. Did you dad have a post treatment PET scan? That would be a help, too, although it may not catch something that small.

Best wishes,

Mike

On 5/30/2008 Looking4hope wrote:

OK, Dad has beena year after radiation, chemo, neck dissection. Feeling good, eating on his own and even working.  Over the past 2 months the doctors have been following a few very small swallowen lymph nodes way back behind the neck.

They say because he has no other lymph nodes in the front where we would normally see nodes these other kick in to help.  They say they are small and soft.  They do not biopsy them if the are under 2 cm and/or are soft not hard.  Since Dad's are soft and definatley under 2 cms they are just watching.

So they are folowing him monthly for any changes in the size or hardness.

Anyone have this experience before? Any suggestion?  I wanted to biopsy immediatley but surgeon feels they are not apporiate for biopsy.  Any experience with that?  

Hello,

I am fairly new to all of this, only being diagnosed in March.  But what I do know is that it took from December until March to do test after test (which they continued to tell me was nothing/ not cancer ) until CANCER was found.

Since Dad has a history, I would get a second opinion or insist on a biopsy.  Doctors have many good causes to watch and wait, but in the end it is our bodies.  I often wonder if it was their family member if they would suggest the same thing.  Of course, it really can be nothing. But if you are concerned just do what you feel is best, the longer you wait the longer it will keep bothering you.   D.

Looking4hope,

           As Mike mentioned, with missing lymph nodes, the others try to continue filtering your body. I was told that there are roughly 100 lymph nodes around the neck and head area.

           Did your Dad learn how to massage his neck and face to stimulate the flow of the lymph system ? Several months after my radiadtion, I started to notice stiffness and a build up of fluid in my neck. I ended up going to a cancer physical therapist that taught me what to do. It was very helpful.

           My Best to everyone

Mike, can you tell me where your swollen lymph nodes were? HOw many you had?  Did they feel soft or hard?  Did you have any tests on them?  How long did they stay swollen?

Sorry so many questions