A neck lymph node biopsy and surgery is an investigative and treatment pathway when patients present with symptoms that indicate diseases in the lymph nodes. Neck lymph nodes, also known as the cervical lymph nodes, comprise a part of the lymphatic system that filters and destroys foreign substances, such as cancer cells and infections. Thus, an enlarged or swollen lymph node may subsequently indicate a dysfunction of the lymph nodes present at the neck.
Generally, a neck lymph node biopsy and surgery are suggested when patients present with swollen lymph accompanied by other symptoms such as:
Swollen lymph nodes are usually identified during a routine examination or when patients actively seek solutions to the discomfort caused by the growth. Neck lymph node biopsy and surgery are warranted when the cause of swelling is ambiguous or if your endocrinologist suspects diseases such as upper respiratory tract infections, cancers, and immune system disorders.
The mechanism of neck lymph node biopsy and surgery can be broken down into two parts. First, the biopsy entails either extracting a sample from the swollen lymph nodes or completely removing it. Next, the lymph node or the sample is sent to a lab for examination to obtain a definitive diagnosis. A neck lymph node biopsy can be executed in a few different ways:
An enlarged or swollen lymph node may indicate an array of health conditions. Therefore, a neck lymph biopsy and surgery would be recommended accordingly for the following:
If you suffer from a salivary gland disorder, schedule an appointment with ACE Surgery & Endoscopy for a detailed medical assessment and personalised treatment options.
The results of a neck lymph node biopsy and surgery vary depending on your diagnosis. This diagnosis and treatment solution will clarify the underlying condition that manifests symptoms of enlarged and swollen neck lymph nodes. Thus, this provides an opportunity to plan the appropriate treatment for you.
In some cases, the surgical intervention may serve as a treatment, particularly in persistent infections. The role of neck lymph node biopsy and surgery is subjective to your condition. Your doctor will exhaustively brief you on what you can expect. You will receive a customised treatment plan and a recovery plan upon completion of surgery.
Typically, this is a one-off procedure. Upon diagnosis and surgical intervention, you will be guided to recovery. However, in cases where patients are diagnosed with cancer, you may be required to return to our clinic to monitor your condition, to investigate if you are responding positively to treatment, and if relapse has occurred. You will be informed accordingly if a follow-up biopsy and surgery are needed.
It is also important to note that biopsy and surgical intervention may be conducted separately. Often, the necessity for a surgical intervention can only be determined after a definitive diagnosis is obtained.
If you suffer from a salivary gland disorder, schedule an appointment with ACE Surgery & Endoscopy for a detailed medical assessment and personalised treatment options.
No. The subsequent surgical intervention necessity will depend on your specific diagnosis. For instance, if an infection causes the enlargement of the neck lymph node, you will first be prescribed medications and other conservative treatment options to manage your condition. Only when infections persist would surgery be recommended.
The level of pain varies depending on the specific type of biopsy that is conducted. However, you will be administered local anaesthesia or numbing cream to ensure you do not undergo unnecessary discomfort and pain. Additionally, you will also be prescribed painkillers post-treatment to manage your pain levels if deemed necessary.
This will also depend on the specific type of biopsy and the type of surgery performed (partial or full lymph node removal). If you undergo a fine needle biopsy, your procedure may be completed within 5-10 minutes. However, if an open biopsy is deemed necessary, this may take up to an hour.
If a fine needle biopsy is required, this will be done in our clinic, and you can return home upon completion. In open biopsy and surgery cases, you may be required to stay in the hospital to monitor your condition. The exact requirement will be discussed before commencing biopsy and treatment