Aa
Lump behind right ear (posterior auricular lymph node)
58yo, M, healthy. A week ago noticed a bump behind right ear (posterior auricular lymph node). Lump size ~1cm, firm. Can be tender to touch. Went to ENT who said it was swollen lymph node, thoroughly examined for other enlarged nodes, infection, lesions/tumours , and found none. I have no other symptoms. Was told to wait 3 weeks, and if node stays biopsy it. Now 2 weeks passed, lump is still there, didn't change much. I am worried about cancer. Should I be ?
Btw, the shape (w x l) is more important than just the size. Size alone is old fashioned thinking.
Oval is good, rounded is suspicious. Tenderness generally, but not always, means reactive.
Oval is good, rounded is suspicious. Tenderness generally, but not always, means reactive.
Be worried? Not at this point. The odds are it is benign aka reactive. There is either ongoing inflammation, else else internal fibrosis (scar tissue). Or both. The odds are it will not change much over another week. Your situation is not all that unusual.
The vast majority of nodes that don't go down as expected are still not-cancer.
It's unusual to be offered a biopsy right off the bat. I assume you mean a needle biopsy, not a surgical biopsy?
The vast majority of nodes that don't go down as expected are still not-cancer.
It's unusual to be offered a biopsy right off the bat. I assume you mean a needle biopsy, not a surgical biopsy?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Undiagnosed Symptoms Community
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
