What causes swollen lymph nodes in the neck without pain?

Question

Hello doctor,

In the past, I have only been able to feel one lymph node in my neck on my left side. I now feel three on the left and two on the right (towards the back). My doctor also found one near my collarbone. All are painless. They are about a centimeter in diameter. I have an inch in diameter lump in my armpit that does not hurt. I have been told it is a ligament. There is a lump in my right breast not shown on the mammogram.

Blood work: high D-dimer, low LMY %, high MID, high RDW. What could be wrong with me? A CT with contrast was done on my chest. I do not have a clot in my lung. My mom, her sister, and their two aunts had breast cancer. I am 5’6”, 262 lbs, and 32 and do not have periods because I was born without a uterus. I have Meniere’s disease, asthma, PTSD, panic disorder, PCOS, and IBS-C. I am on Effexor XR 150 and regular Effexor 75, Buspirone 15 mg three times a day, Risperidone 2 mg, Zantac 150 mg, Tizanidine 2 mg, migraine meds, a preventive inhaler, a rescue inhaler, and a nebulizer.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed your detailed query and can well understand your concerns. Lymph nodes are the areas where our body fights against the foreign bodies like pathogens (like bacteria). If there is an infection of the throat, lymph nodes draining the throat area kick in and fight against the pathogens. In this process, these nodes enlarge. But this is a temporary process, and lymph nodes get to normal size once the infection is over.

Sometimes, however, these nodes remain enlarged, and this is a benign increase in size (harmless and merely a cosmetic concern). Sometimes, nodes enlarge due to cancerous (malignant) lesions. But this possibility has been ruled out by your doctors.

D-Dimer levels are usually high in states where there is a tendency of high blood clot formation and its breakdown in the body. Hormonal imbalances in females also make them prone to coagulation states. PCOS/PMOS (polycystic ovary syndrome/polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) also may cause it. Certain medication may also do the same. Do not worry about lumps if they are cleared by your physician, as they are possibly benign and not malignant.

I hope it helps.

For more information, please feel free to contact.

Thank you.