Question 1

how can you tell if a lymph node is benign? "benign reactive lymph nodes are present in the supraclavicular region" my ultrasound report said. how can they know its not malignant?

Accepted Answer

See physician: For blood work & further exams to see if there are any other nodes.

Question 2

if my ct scan report of a swollen cervical node states it seems to be a reactive benign lymph node, do i still need a biopsy?

Accepted Answer

CT can't tell : Ct can't tell if node reactive or not just that a node is there.  Ultrasound gives more info about node architecture.  Recommend node removal if it looks abnormal on ultrasound, is enlarging, if there are multiple enlarging nodes, unexplained fever, chills, sweats, unexplained weight loss.  Needle biopsy may be helpful but sometimes node removal needed to make diagnosis.

Question 3

ive been told my lymph nodes are benign. does this mean that there enlarged too? there 1/2 an inch and havent changed in 2 years. ive also been told that the nodes are reactive but not enlarged? doesnt reactive nodes mean enlarged though?

Accepted Answer

: I consider those of normal size (not swollen) and they are usually easily found in the neck. Unless there were other history or findings that suggest a problem I would ignore them. You don't try to fix normal. If you are fixated on the node issue after exams and consultation you should find someone to teach you stress reduction/relaxation. It appears you do not believe they can be normal.

Question 4

i was wondering what are reactive lymph nodes exactly?

Accepted Answer

Simple answer: Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts. They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react. They shrink when all is well.

Question 5

what are reactive lymph nodes exactly?  what then is an unreactive one?

Accepted Answer

Immune system work: Lymph nodes are places in the body where the immune system identifies foreign invaders and launches a response.  The node enlarges when it is working to fight something.  "reactive" means the node is working to handle something, as apposed to a lymphoma, a cancer arising in the lymph node.  There are many potential causes of reactive lymphadenopathy.

Question 6

ive been told my lymph nodes are benign but i have no disease effecting my lymph nodes and there feelable due to me being slim so how can my lymph nodes be benign when benign means to have a disease not harmful in effect? it states that on google?

Accepted Answer

: Benign is used in this context with the meaning of not believed to be related to a serious disease or being normal. Internet use induced anxiety is likely.

Question 7

what causes cervical lymph nodes to be reactive?

Accepted Answer

Many things: Lymph nodes enlarge when they are doing their job properly, fighting inflammation.  This could be a viral or bacterial or fungal infection, reaction to dental or gingival disease, or less often, malignancies.  Chains of nodes drain from different areas and it might help to know whether this is behind or in front of the muscle running diagonally from the jay angle to the collarbone.

Question 8

what is scattered reactive lymph nodes within neck?

Accepted Answer

Reactive=monitoring: Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad  like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts.  They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react.  They shrink when all is well.

Question 9

reactive submandibular lymph nodes can persist with mild piorrhea?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps, but: Pperhaps, but periodontal disease which is a gram negative anaerobic rod bacterial infection, does not frequently drain to the lymph nodes.  More frequently, mandibular infections from an unhealthy tooth will drain to the lymph nodes (and breast) on the same side.

Question 10

what are the differences between reactive lymph nodes and nonspecific inflammatory lymph nodes?

Accepted Answer

Not much: Lymph nodes are filters of disease processes and can react to infection, surgery, trauma, and tumor, nonspecific inflammatory nodes are reacting to inflammation of some sort can be tonsilllitis, sore throat, viral infection etc all these nodes are benign and usually will disappear once inciting process has  resolved.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Benign reactive lymph nodes

A member asked:

How can you tell if a lymph node is benign? "benign reactive lymph nodes are present in the supraclavicular region" my ultrasound report said. how can they know its not malignant?

A member asked:

If my ct scan report of a swollen cervical node states it seems to be a reactive benign lymph node, do i still need a biopsy?

A member asked:

Ive been told my lymph nodes are benign. does this mean that there enlarged too? there 1/2 an inch and havent changed in 2 years. ive also been told that the nodes are reactive but not enlarged? doesnt reactive nodes mean enlarged though?

A member asked:

I was wondering what are reactive lymph nodes exactly?

A member asked:

What are reactive lymph nodes exactly? what then is an unreactive one?

A member asked:

Ive been told my lymph nodes are benign but i have no disease effecting my lymph nodes and there feelable due to me being slim so how can my lymph nodes be benign when benign means to have a disease not harmful in effect? it states that on google?

A member asked:

What causes cervical lymph nodes to be reactive?

A member asked:

What is scattered reactive lymph nodes within neck?

A member asked:

Reactive submandibular lymph nodes can persist with mild piorrhea?

A member asked:

What are the differences between reactive lymph nodes and nonspecific inflammatory lymph nodes?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?