Experience I'm a Doctor of Medicine. Licensed/certified physician and surgeon and specialist in Medical
Oncology and Radiation therapy in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and the European Union. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine.
M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. Now in private practice in Stockholm, Sweden.
I also answer questions in these other categories: General History,
Military History,
Brain Tumors,
Breast Cancer,
Colon Cancer
"I am writing regarding my son who is almost 4 years old. He has had his share of illnesses. After being born prematurely he contracted RSV shorty after he came home from the NICU, and spent 6 weeks in the PICU. He came home diagnosed with Chronic lung disease. His first 2 years were filled with breathing treatments,steroids, medications, and hospital visits. Finally after his second birthday his lungs really seemed to be healing and his health was improving, although he continued to have a lowered immune system and seemed to always be on antibiotics for something. He would always have the typical swollen lymph nodes when he was ill, but about one year ago one on the right side of his neck swelled up extremely large. His ped. ran blood tests and everything came back normal. He sent us to an ENT who said to watch and wait for one month to see if the swelling went down. Our insurance changed right around that time, and so did our drs. I decided to hold off on worrying about the lymph node, since I'd read that in children they can stay swollen for a few months. Well, all the while it continued to grow. A couple of months ago he was running around outside and couldn't catch his breath. We went to urgent care. The dr. on call noted the huge lymph node (he measured it at 4 cms in diameter) and sent him for blood work and a chest xray. It came back normal, and we were sent home with asthma meds and another ENT referral. So, we finally got in to see the new ENT. He was concerned with the size and feel of the node (quite hard) and had us make an appointment for an ultrasound. The earliest appt. is not until January 2nd, 2008. The reason I am writing, is beca use I am trying to find information on WHAT could cause a lymph node to stay SO swollen in a preschool aged child for so long? Also, does the fact that it has been this way for about a whole year completely rule out anything serious? I have attached a picture of where the node is located. He has several more palpable nodes in his neck, but those are all more between nickel-quarter sized... this one is like a golf ball. THANKYOU so much in advance for any help. http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8CZuXLhwxatAc&emid=sharshar&linki...
Answer There are many possible reasons for this, so it does not have to be a tumor and your description of it as not changing over a long period of time also makes it less likely to be a malignancy. However I see no reason to just wait and see. A thin needle aspitation cytological biopsy can with a high degree of certainty tell you what this is. It is also quick, easy & simple and rather cheap to do. So that is what I suggest that you insist on! Good luck!
