Question 1

enlarged mediastinal lymph node short axis 12mm. how long do i need to watch it for to ensure it is benign. doesn't appear to have grown in 1 year.

Accepted Answer

Any symptoms?: If the node has not changed in one year, it is benign. Do not worry about a radiology finding, if there are no symptoms.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex, if you have sex.

Question 2

would small cell lung cancer in a mediastinal lymph node be classed as cancer of unknown primary if lung was clear on imaging.

Accepted Answer

SCLC arises next: to the bronchi and may not be visible on CT imaging in spite of the fact that it has already spread to a lymph node. Very rarely this same type of tumor arises in the prostate, cervix or gastrointestinal tract. Perhaps a sophisticated imaging technique such as PET scanning  could detect the primary tumor in the lung, though knowing the type of tumor already can guide their treatment effectively.

Question 3

fatigue two years ct scan norm but mediastinal lymph node increased by 3 mm over this time to 7 mm short axis. long axis increased to 12mm. worried!

Accepted Answer

Appropriately so.: You need to discuss these findings with your health care professional who has you health history and can evaluate the significance of this.

Question 4

husband quit smoking 6 months ago after 55 years. has copd. basically negative ct 6 months ago. now ct shows irregular modular rt upper lobe, additional opacities middle lobe, enlarged mediastinal lymph node 14 mm, should we prepare for cancer dr?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, unfortunately.

Question 5

mediastinal lymph node biopsy, small cell lung cancer. lungs clear on ct. is this an unknown primary or not, ie does sclc mean primary must be in lung?

Accepted Answer

No - primary is SCLC: SCLC often starts in the lymph nodes.   By definition, this is a primary lung cancer.

Question 6

my father has metastatic melanoma, 1 lymph node involvement. pet scan and ct scan shows no other metastasis at this time.  does this mean he is cured?

Accepted Answer

I am sorry... : To hear about your father. Melanoma is a horribly unpredictable cancer. It can show up six months or six years after the original treatment and can be literally anywhere in the body. Unfortunately there are no studies that can show microscopic disease. I advise  my cancer patients to give their immune system the best chance to do its job by eating healthy,  getting enough sleep, and  stay fit.

Question 7

squamous nsclc in upper left lobe (3.3 cm), lower left lobe under 1.5 cm) and one mediastinal lymph node.  what stage is it?  is surgery an option?

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer stage: PET scan can help determine if all these three areas are active. A mediastinal node biopsy can help stage it more accurately. Treatment will depend on the final accurate staging.

Question 8

do pneumonia cause mediastinal lymph node enlargement? i had a non contrast ct scan in which only one lymph node measured 1.4 cm * 1.8 cm.

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Certain types of pneumonia can elicit mediastinal  adenopatchy, Lymph nodes can be seen in community acquired pneumonia, tuberculosis, histoplasmosis and ccoccidiodomycosis. Pneumonia with pleural effusion from bacterial origin can also have enlarged lymph nodes. Of course nodes can be seen with malignancies, sarcoidosis, and many noninfectious inflammatory granulomatous processes.

Question 9

suv of 5.2 of lymph node alongiliac chain is this mean mestastises?

Accepted Answer

Worrisome!: Lymph nodes with an suv on pet scan of 2 or so imply that the node is negative for tumor. Suv of 5 or more is worrisome. The node needs to be biopsied.

Question 10

can you tell me how long you can live with lung cancer, chronic renal failure, lymph node metasteses, hernia.  age 87.  we need to make plans.

Accepted Answer

Cancer Prognosis: As you haven't specified the type of cancer I really couldn't even begin to give you a reasonable estimate of survival time.  Even with it I would still need to know more about how significant the spread is.  Adding in the ESRD (which I would also need to know what stage you are in) certainly impacts your likely longevity.  With all these variables you really need to consult with your oncologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Mediastinal lymph node metastasis

A member asked:

Enlarged mediastinal lymph node short axis 12mm. how long do i need to watch it for to ensure it is benign. doesn't appear to have grown in 1 year.

A member asked:

Would small cell lung cancer in a mediastinal lymph node be classed as cancer of unknown primary if lung was clear on imaging.

A member asked:

Fatigue two years ct scan norm but mediastinal lymph node increased by 3 mm over this time to 7 mm short axis. long axis increased to 12mm. worried!

A member asked:

Husband quit smoking 6 months ago after 55 years. has copd. basically negative ct 6 months ago. now ct shows irregular modular rt upper lobe, additional opacities middle lobe, enlarged mediastinal lymph node 14 mm, should we prepare for cancer dr?

A member asked:

Mediastinal lymph node biopsy, small cell lung cancer. lungs clear on ct. is this an unknown primary or not, ie does sclc mean primary must be in lung?

A member asked:

My father has metastatic melanoma, 1 lymph node involvement. pet scan and ct scan shows no other metastasis at this time. does this mean he is cured?

A member asked:

Squamous nsclc in upper left lobe (3.3 cm), lower left lobe under 1.5 cm) and one mediastinal lymph node. what stage is it? is surgery an option?

A member asked:

Do pneumonia cause mediastinal lymph node enlargement? i had a non contrast ct scan in which only one lymph node measured 1.4 cm * 1.8 cm.

A member asked:

Suv of 5.2 of lymph node alongiliac chain is this mean mestastises?

A member asked:

Can you tell me how long you can live with lung cancer, chronic renal failure, lymph node metasteses, hernia. age 87. we need to make plans.

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