What is considered a normal size for a lymph node? anyoen out there know? Thanks in advance !

Hi Cheryl
My immediate kneejerk response to this question, was "if you haven't noticed them, they are the normal size".

I immediately went to my neck to feel the size of the lymph nodes and realised I only notice them when they are enlarged with infection. I know they are there somewhere and are about 1cm big when not infected or growth affected. I believe the size is varies, depending on which lymph nodes you are asking about. I have assumed you are asking about the ones under your jaw that your mother or doctor used to feel around for when you complained of feeling unwell?

Why are you asking?

Karen

It's a relief!! I had a scan - it came back clear - but there were two nodes on my right side - non operative side (but I did receive radiation there) - my scan in August was "clear" I read the report. It was done at my ccc - my GP ordered another head and neck CT here at the local hospital - because he is referring me to a local ENT just as a go to guy - I will maintain my care with PMH but I was concerned with my primary drs (RO) reactive attitude to my health, (and scans frankly - as he was content to never scan me again and just go on visuals!!!) so I though I should have someone else. Anyway this scan came back with a level 1, and a level llb, node 6mm and 8 mm - respectively - (I can't remember which one was which level) now. I am aware that cts highlight lots of things, and the people reading the scans are different so some report things that others wouldn't... But I was just worried. I did talk to an oncologist yesterday he said some radiologists just note everything they see - even if it's normal which is what the report said, it said they saw the nodes, and they were within the normal parameters - and everything was fine (no mention of monitoring or follow up) so I was just wondering - why report them at all ? they aren't palpable at all and there's no pain. So I am just going to wait to see my GP discuss it with him I guess. But thank you so much... You've pretty much confirmed what I had found out... Just freaks me out that one person reports it and another doesn't we should all be assigned a radiologist for life!!! That way there is consistency. It happened in march too - my chest ct was clear - at the local hospital in dec- my march ct reported insignificant spots - different hospital (nothing is ever in significant to a cancer patient) so naturally I freaked only to find out two weeks ago my march scan was identical to my dec scan! Ugh!! Unfortunately when the radiologist read this scan (obviously some time yesterday afternoon) they didnt have copies of my march and august scan - (i did drop off the cds after I found out the results (i forgot them when i went to the hospital- though i had them - so i dropped them off last night and asked them to forward them to the radiologist so hopefully he will take a second look and compare ) Hugs to you and thank you so much... My faith in the drs is a bit shaken I think. Possibly moreso than I realized. I don't really want to push to biopsy them but I am very proactive and would rather have a bilateral neck dissection than deal with the not knowing... Urgh! Which I know is irrationally silly!

Ah you poor bugger!! We all have conniptions at one time or another. Alex coughs and I am on guard for secondary mets to lungs, he snaps at me and I wonder what his thyroid levels are and so it goes on ... I say nothing as I am sure the same thoughts go through his mind and we both know we are paranoid. But knowing it is probably nothing to worry about and actually not worrying about it are two separate things.

Are you ok now (emotionally I mean)?

And wouldn't it be great to have the same radiologist for life. Failing that, a psychologist to talk us down when a different radiologist gives us a different report

I'm ok today - thank you so much! I had to mull it over and all that!!! And cam to th same conclusion I normally do.... Be grateful for today... Be happy I feel good... Be grateful for those around me, and just be diligent. Will see my dr Monday for his take on my scan but I should be happy I'm considered "clear" hugs to you you've been a great support! May you have a wonderful weekend. As for the psychologist - I need one on speed dial som days... It didn't help that I had a dream about my mom lithe night before last! She's been gone 10 years but I still miss her. And ths was one freaky dream!