On reactive lymph nodes and delayed diagnosis

[Margerie]

what benign conditions cause swelling in a underarm node?? Reactive but benign? Was it painful?? An inflammed node would most likely be tender.

Sometimes I think docs are patronizing and think we will become hysterical if they suggest a biopsy. If they are not sure, shouldn't they suggest one just to rule out cancer? How many men walk around with swollen lymph nodes in their groin and are told to come back in three months???

No mammogram when you initially presented????? Grrrrrr.......... not wanting to stir the pot, but that doesn't sound right either.

Sorry, have heard bad news from two friends (both under diagnosed and under treated.......grrrrr)

Looked into the reactive lymph nodes.....

"If the lymph node enlargement is unexplained, it may need to undergo a period of observation for 3 to 4 weeks possibly with the addition of empirical antibiotics.
If it persists after a period of observation then the patient should seek medical attention which may require further investigations using ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration cytology or an excisional biopsy."