Re: On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis
 

Ok, this is how it went yesterday.

The surgeon is not nearly as concerned about the cyst in my breast as he is the two lymph nodes. I don't know how big they are suppose to be but on the report they are more then 3 cm each which in his words they are alarmingly large. His office is setting me up with radiology to do a needle biopsy of the lymph nodes and he asked me if I would like to have have the cyst in my breast drained while I was there so I said I might as well. I am assuming if they drain it that will be biopsied also.

His office hasn't called me yet with an appt date and time yet, I figured I would have heard something yesterday afternoon but I didn't so I don't know when I have to go for that.

As for the "special breast cancer surgeon" I tried to do that before I saw a surgeon but in my area they do not have surgeons classified like that. They are all general surgeons and you just have to try to find one with alot of experience with the breast. The surgeon I have I know at one time but it was many years ago was one of the best breast surgeons in the area, but he also happens to be the one that removed my gallbladder too so who knows. I do trust him though he his a very compassionate and down to earth doctor. If he can't take care of it he will make sure I get to someone who can.

I am still keeping the faith and thank you for giving me this thread to purge.

You can call me Becca if you want so you don't have to call me unregistered. :)

Re: On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis
 

My appt for my biopsies is on April 6th and then I see the surgeon again on April 11th to get the results.

Re: On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis
 

Hi guys, i found this thread after crawling the internet for answers, for the past year ive had a swollen lymph node in my neck and right underarm which i thought nothing off until i starting losing drastic weight approx 2 stone in 2 months and being really exhausted and constant sore heads aswell as
terrible night sweats, so with all this i went to the docs i was fobbed of with its cysts or swollen glands, after going back and forth for about 3 months i was sent for a ct scan and a biospy which resulted in my diagnosis being reactive nodes or as the consultant said he doesn't know, im am now left frustrated and i have nowhere left to turn and was just wondering if u guys would have any advice?

Thank you in advance

Re: On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis
 

Hi Becca,

I can understand your anxiety of the situation. Below are two websites that provide explanation on 'reactive lymph nodes':

“When this system is reactive it means that the system is working to fight infection. When the body has foreigners attack its cells the lymph system is a line of defense that begins to combat the infection by producing cells to fights the underlying infection. The sort of infection and its severity can be determing by examination of the accompanying symptoms.”

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_reactive_lymph_nodes_mean#ixzz1h9EDTXYE


More detailed/technical explanation can be found in this one:

http://pleiad.umdnj.edu/hemepath/normal_node/normal_node.html