Dr. Syed Peerzada Tehmid Ul Haque
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have had a hard, painless submental lymph node for two to three months that is smaller than a pea. It is smaller in the morning and fluctuates in size when I touch it often. I have no other symptoms. I have read online that hard nodules are always cancer. It is larger than the other submental node that is next to it. Is it possible to have a hard nodule that is not cancerous? Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern. Hard or firm nodes are only one of the important factors. Sub centimetric nodes (size less than a centimeter) that do not show size changes over time usually do not bother us. Also, the fixity of the nodes to either the skin or the underlying tissues and mobility of the nodes is important. A mobile non-fixed node is not harmful. So, in your case, it is just benign lymphadenitis. You have to observe for the development of any new symptoms. Also, you can go for fine needle aspiration cytology in case of further doubts. I hope this helps. Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the response. The size is small, but if I mess with it, it increases to the size of a pea. Also, I have an erupting wisdom tooth that sometimes has foul-smelling pus and blood. Can a wisdom tooth infection drain into the submental lymph nodes? Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
In chronic cases, inflamed nodes can be hard. No, molars do not drain into submental lymph nodes. The last molars drain into submandibular or upper jugulodiagastric group of lymph nodes.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Then, what can be the cause of chronic inflammation of submental nodes? The other node is small, and also no other nodes are swollen.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Our oral cavity and floor of the mouth are the least sterile parts of the body. Despite taking precautions, we keep ingesting pathogens, and our lymphatic system is always busy dealing with them. Enlarged lymph nodes can be a sequel to past oral cavity infection or skin infection. The initial infection may have been dealt with, but the nodes remain enlarged.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I had a canker sore on the floor of my mouth, under my tongue.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
It could have been the reason for this lymph node. However, it does not look like significant lymphadenopathy.
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Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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