Ok -- got my results back from ultrasound. It said: there are a couple of prominent submental lymph nodes, the largest measuring 7mm in short axis diameter. They maintain normal fatty hilum and hilar vascularity, and may reflect a small reactive node.

Is a 7mm node too small to biopsy?

No. Did you review the results with the doctor and mutually agree on the next steps?

If you can, use the Search function. There's tons of posts about sizes of nodes for FNA's. That's the true diagnostic tool.

Good luck.

Not if it can easily be felt by the doctor doing the biopsy for a fine needle biopsy. If it can't be felt, someone would have to do an incisional biopsy and removal of the whole things, and in the absence of other examinations, tests and opinions that yielded compelling information to indicate this might be cancer, that seems too invasive an idea for something.

Brian, would the doctors be able to hold a 7 mm node in place for a FNA biopsy? For my 4 mm submental node, we went with an image guided FNA. That seemed a better choice than the invasive incisional biopsy we first talked about. They even wanted to split the jaw and harvest more to be safe. I wasn't physically up to that.

I had about 10 successful FNAB's for suspected neck nodes, some palpable, some not, and as small as 3mm, all being done under ultrasound guidance. I guess it depends on the experience of the doctor too, and all mine were done by a pathologist.

Mine was 42mm and they used ultrasound guidance. I cant imagine why they wouldn't use ultrasound guidance for every FNA?

Y&W 2 months is too long to be "slightly concerned". If he doesn't know by now what it is, or what the next step is to investigate what it is, its time to go to a major town with a better doctor.

Remember what I said about coping with long periods of uncertainty during the diagnosis? Well I didn't mean wait this long! Anyway its up to you how you want to handle it, I'm sure we're not getting the full picture of what the doctor is thinking.

Hopefully you're in your second month as a non smoker? If you need reminding how important that is, have a look at our signatures. Cancer isn't a lottery, and once you have it you don't quietly fade out in a morphine haze. Whether you survive or not no one gets an easy ride.

[quote] I cant imagine why they wouldn't use ultrasound guidance for every FNA?[/quote]Even for large node tumors? My neck node was clearly visible and the ENT did the FNA without any extra equipment. It came back positive and later I had a full biopsy under general but that was later.

I suppose if it was sticking out of your neck it would be hard to miss! Mine was the size of a golf ball but it was deep in my neck.

It could be used to check for other suspected nodes scanned during the same visit I would think, not just the one palpable. Ultra sound is good at identifying nodes, cheap, even better than PET/CT scans in some aspects.

Relax as best you can, There are many many reasons for the growth you found. And stress is the worst thing you can do if it turns out it is cancer. Take a deep breath and be positive, But get in to see your ENT, Find a way to get there. Cab or a friend. And lean on someone to help with Dad.