Concern over a swollen epitrochelar lymph node

[edonat6148]

I am a young adult male and I've had a swollen epitrochlear lymph node for about 3-4 months now, it isn't massive (it's about 2.3 by 0.6 by 1.2 cm according to the ultrasound).  I cannot remember having any concerning symptoms besides that although it may be possible that I was exposed to some skin infections on my forearm based on some sports I have done. I have visited a doctor and all the tests they took came back normal. They asked me my opinion about getting a biopsy and as of right now I am not completely sure. Is this something that is concerning and should require a biopsy or is this possibly a lymph node that just hasn't gone down in size?

[Ken_PA]

Hi, that should depend on what the ultrasound report says exactly. Ideally it should mention the presence of the fatty hilum. It should have the absence of any bad signs.

The oval shape points to not-cancer. You do have a plausible alternate cause. Altogether, I wouldn't worry much about it. However, things might be different for you if you think that you'll end up worrying a lot over future months or years.

Or maybe months or years down the line, you might wish you'd had the biopsy if *only* to get rid of the bump. If it's filled with fibrosis (scar tissue), then that might last forever - depending. [Fibrosis is the likely cause for your node not going back down.] The node is, after all, in a low risk area for surgery.

"...is this possibly a lymph node that just hasn't gone down in size? "
Yep, it's not only possible, it's the likely cause - for now. It's all about probabilities.

[edonat6148]

Hey Ken, Thank you for the response and the well-explained description of what may possibly be going on. The doctors did not give a clear explanation of what may be going on so this helps out a lot. Thanks again!